On April 21, 2010 my life seemed “normal”, until around 11:00 pm when I found my mother laying on her living room floor, confused and hallucinating. We called 911 and took her to the emergency room. After four long hours of waiting and wondering, we got a diagnosis…a metastatic brain tumor. Everyone assumed it was a result of her breast cancer returning 8 years later. A few days following the surgery the pathology came back. It was NOT breast cancer but was in fact ovarian cancer. The tests were even repeated as ovarian cancer rarely spreads to the brain, but it still came back as ovarian cancer.
It was then decided a whole body scan was in order. The results of that came back and showed cancer in various lymph nodes, chest, hip, shoulder and liver. The news was too much to digest because there was so much going on in so many different directions. I left my job to be her caretaker as she was receiving daily radiation to her brain to “clean up” any little bit of cancer that the surgery left behind. We were trying to line up health care workers, therapists and visiting nurses as well as get the equipment she needed because the tumors in her hip and shoulder had rendered them almost useless.
Her oncologist was cautiously optimistic yet really would not talk about a timeline but a year or better seemed to be the consensus. Her oncologist said that ovarian cancer usually responds well to chemotherapy treatment so when she started that, we would know more. We could not start that until the 6 week mark when she completed the radiation treatments.
At the 2 week mark after brain surgery my mothers hip broke by simply standing up as a result of the tumor at her hip and she needed femur replacement surgery. She then spent a few days in the hospital and then a week in a rehab facility before returning home.
The following week we went to the doctors to have her chemotherapy port put in and I noticed she was acting more confused again. Her oncologist did some blood work and we went home. The next day was even worse and I called the doctor to get the blood test results. I was informed my mother was suffering “multiple organ shutdown” and it was suggested I call in hospice.
My mother passed away 3 days later, 1 day before she was scheduled to begin her chemotherapy and 5 weeks after being diagnosed.
Losing my mother in any way would have been difficult, but like this? I think about the symptoms she complained of; bloating, incontinence, bowel irregularities, reflux, shoulder & hip pain and yet – who would have ever guessed cancer? Since making ovarian cancer awareness my goal in life I want to cry every time I hear these stories because in so many ways they are the same, these women didn’t know!
In 2011, it is estimated that 26,000 women in the US will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,000 will die.
The 5 year survival rate with EARLY detection is over 92%. When diagnosed in late stages (which happens in over 80% of women) that 5 year survival rate drastically declines to less than 20%.
The problem is that NO means of early detection exists, KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
Fatigue
Upset stomach or heartburn
Back pain
Pain during sex
Constipation or menstrual changes
If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, please see your physician.
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Dear Dianeriche:
This is one of the most compelling stories and effective educational messages of what to watch out for when it comes to Ovarian Cancer. I am going to pass this along to my social network. I am so sorry for your mother's passing but am so grateful you are championing this very important cause.
Best of Health,
Kelley
July 18, 2011 - 1:14pmThis Comment
Dear dianeriche,
I'm so very sorry for your loss and all that both of you had to endure. My love and prayers go out to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your story and helping advocate not only for your mother, but for thousands of women who need to hear your story and become aware of these symptoms and condition.
July 14, 2011 - 10:21amAngelica
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