In 2006, I rolled over in bed and felt a grapefruit-sized mass in my abdomen. I Thought it was just a fibroid. Several weeks later, I had an appointment with a physical therapist for a back injury. The therapist instructed me to lie face down on the therapy table. He pressed his fingers along either side […]
O come let us adore himO come let us adore himO come let us adore himChrist the Lord The strains of “O Come All Ye Faithful” echoed throughout the church on Christmas Eve. In the darkness, the candle flames flickered. As the solitary light streamed over the manger scene, a sense of awe settled over […]
Pink lights illuminate bridges, state capitols and city landmarks. Runners, walkers and strollers race for the cure. Pink ribbons embellish bags, jewelry, hats and t-shirts. Teas, brunches and banquets raise funds for breast cancer research. Even NFL players sport pink in October. Think pink! Wear pink! Celebrate pink! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. […]
In Wisconsin, we have two seasons—winter and construction. For me, a diagnosis of ovarian cancer hurled me into a winter season. Cancer raised a stop sign, interrupting my life. But when I merged into life after cancer, I faced a new challenge. What do I do now? Who am I as an ovarian cancer survivor? […]
“I have stage 4 bladder cancer,” my sister Tracy said. “It’s also in my lungs and liver.” No! I felt like I was kicked in the chest. Her life-threatening pronouncement sucked the oxygen out of my lungs. How could this happen to my go-to-the-gym-every-day sister? She was only fifty-two! “Do you remember the bleeding I […]
“We should start a social group for ovarian cancer survivors,” the leader of our STS (Survivors Teaching Students) course said. “Not a support group, but a fun group.” We had just presented our ovarian cancer stories to a class of medical students in the STS program. Our first meeting convened in a private room at […]
Electricity filled the air, sparking excitement and anticipation as I approached the registration table at the Monona Terrace. The time had finally arrived to get our sparkle on for Sparkle of Hope, a special evening celebrating women touched by gynecologic cancers. I received my nametag and registered my credit card to place bids for the […]
Pink lights illuminate bridges, state capitols and city landmarks. Runners, walkers and strollers race for the cure. Pink ribbons embellish bags, jewelry, hats and t-shirts. Teas, brunches and banquets raise funds for breast cancer research. Even NFL players sport pink in October. Think pink! Wear pink! Celebrate pink! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. […]
Are there certain words that trigger pressure in your chest or tightness in your throat? For me, that word is cancer. I am an ovarian cancer survivor. My Story During the summer of 2006, Every time I had another bout of nausea, I brushed thoughts of ovarian cancer from my mind. Surely these spells were […]
“Bon voyage!” These shouts echo in the ears of passengers as their cruise ship shoves off from port, the familiar fading into the distance. But at Camp Mak-A-Dream, we entered our own high seas adventure greeted by Love Boat’s Julie for our theme night—a cruise ship. We are ovarian cancer survivors. Many of us donned […]