Hi everyone. I wanted to give an update on my wonderful, beautiful mother who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer about 2-1/2 years ago. She is 70 years old and alive and well today. Her cancer was found after she had been suffering with cervical prolapse. She had a lot of fluid in her abdomen and some also found in her lungs. Her CA125 was over 1700 before surgery and chemo. Her cancer was a stage 2 or 3 (do doctors and pathologists ever agree?). She had a total hysterectomy weighing in at less than 100 lbs, followed by 6 rounds of chemo. Rough surgery, rough chemo, and her hair fell out pretty suddenly after chemo #2 if I recall correctly. She cried after the surgery and thought she might die. After the surgery, we pushed her to do ALL of her chemo. It was hard for her but she did it. She bought a beautiful wig and a beautiful blue scarf to cover her bare head. The chemo did some damage to her cardiovascular system and now she has to take medications - and there have been a couple of hospital trips for that. She's had some issues with sores and she fell a couple of times. And we say to each other "cancer sucks". We love teal and we hate teal.

Today I have the scarf that she wore and I will wear it if I ever have chemo. I still send her teal colored gifts at times. Her CA125 numbers have stayed around 14 - she has remained healthy.

I know that every story does not have a happy ending. Today I have my mother and I wanted to share her story with you. Maybe her story will offer hope to some of you who are going through treatment or initial diagnosis.

Mom, if you read this story, know that I love you and you are my inspiration. I am thankful for every day that you are in my life and I pray that I can learn to be as strong as you some day. God has a special place in heaven for you I'm sure, but I don't think he's ready for you quite yet.