September is ovarian cancer as well as gynecologic cancer awareness month. Each year since my diagnosis, I commit to doing an activity related to raising awareness and funds for research. This year on Sept 8th I registered for and walked the Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation Walk in Morristown, NJ. Since 2006, I have been involved with KOH through walking, serving on the Board of the Foundation and donating to support research.
It was a cool crisp September morning with a beautiful blue sky when I arrived at the park to walk. I said hello to a number Board members and other supporters I have known for years. This year, I was planning to walk with a friend who is currently in
treatment for a recurrence of ovarian cancer but she was unable to join me. As the DJ played music and the Board members welcomed everyone to the event the families and teams including dogs wearing teal gathered at the starting line.
I waited behind a bit and then I started to walk by myself. I got passed a few times by others but I continued to walk the paved path through the woods. There was so much to see!
There was a great blue heron that flew over, a white heron by one of the three ponds I passed, a golden retriever puppy being trained in the open area by the pond, different types of wild flowers trees, and fungus. The time alone gave me time to reflect. I thought how walking alone - though surrounded by lots of other people - was similar to facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Even though we can have a wonderful caregiver, and support from family and friends, we face our diagnosis alone. We may discuss with our doctors treatment options but we ultimately make that final decision. We get brought into surgery by ourselves. We enter the CT machine by ourselves. We may even read our test results on the portal by ourselves. The choices we have to make are not always easy but women make the best decisions they can.
I got about 2 miles from the start and decided it was time to turn around. I walked a short way back and ran into a friend and his son. His wife died from ovarian cancer a few years ago. It was good to catch up with them. And I thought to myself how good it is to have the support and love of family and friends when you are diagnosed with cancer even if we face so much alone.
Special thanks to my family and friends who donated over $500 in support of ovarian cancer research.
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!
