elewishs's Journal

Hi Everyone!

My name is Lynda. I have just read what I have written. I thought about deleting some of this, and ultimately decided not to. I hope you all understand. I PROMISE, I am not crazy. I am a very passionate person. YES, I have received help through therapy.  For those who might think to suggest it, I appreciate the thought, but thank you.

I am touched by, Hysterectomy, Endometriosis, Ovarian Cancer, and now possibly Cervical Cancer. I am here to offer suggestions, as well as asking for help. I originally came here to post a question for myself, regarding the possibility of Cervical Cancer, AFTER hysterectomy.

 This next part may sound like ranting and raving. But have any of you been a caregiver to your sister in her last 3 months of life? Have you had to tell your then 11 year old niece her mother is dying? Have you had to tell your mother, knowing she is already fearing her 2 remaining daughters will be struck with this cancer, Ovarian Cancer, her daughter is dying? I have. 9 years later, I am still haunted by the images of their faces, right after i told them. Therapy helped, but cannot erase the anger over the lack of attention to my sister, in particular by DOCTORS, and now, by the lack of attention of the media, and others. My sister did NOT have to die. IF the doctors had not brushed her off, despite a STRONG family history, and ALL the classic symptoms, she would probably still be alive.

I had a Hysterectomy in 1995 at age 31, primarily due to Endometriosis. It was ALL over the place. For ME, Hysterectomy was not something I was forced into, and not a difficult to decision to make. For me, emotionally, and physically, it was a positive decision and has remained positve ever since.I had my tubes tied when I was 24, so the issue of more children, was a non-issue. I also had it because at the time, one of my older sisters', Debbie, was going through Ovarian Cancer. She was 33 when diagnosed 8/1993, 38 when she died May 20, 1998, leaving behind a then 11 year old daughter, along with the rest of my family. My chances now are next to zero, but I still have another sister and my now 20 year old niece who could develop this hideous cancer. If my sons',  my niece, and my nephews have daughters, we all have to live with the very real possiblity they will develop this cancer. Nothing against other cancer patients, their families, and those who rally for more awareness, but I don't understand why Ovarian Cancer is not receiving more public, media attention, just as Breast, Colon, Lung and Prostate ccncers are getting YEAR round. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Since my sister was diagnosed, I have been a 1 woman campaign to TRY to get my local media to give this cancer more attention. Primarily for women, but DOCTORS too!!!! Only ONCE, has a local T.V. station done a story with the intent of public awareness, despite me, starting in April every single year, as they have suggested I should start. Even then, they turned it into a "Local" interest story. I asked, regardless of whether or not they used my sister and our family's experience, to please, make this story about public awareness for women, AND doctors as well, since doctors rarely pay attention to women with Ovarian Cancer, until usually, it is too late for a woman to survive this horrific cancer. 

Thanks for listening to the rantings of a woman who feels very passionate about Ovarian Cancer and awareness, even sometimes to the point of sounding like a lunatic.

I have read many posts about the issues I mentioned that personally touch me. I applaud all of you for having the courage to reach out, whether to ask for help, or to offer it, including the women who have answered  my plea for help about Cervical Cancer questions. I think you are ALL wonderful people!! I feel very blessed to have found this site!!