One thing I can say on this journey with cancer is that Change is Inevitable.
In 2006, after I finished treatment for ovarian cancer, I started attending a gyn cancer support group at The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey which later became the Cancer Support Community of Central NJ and is now Crossroads 4 Hope. I was so happy to be with other women who had been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. They "got it". I would drive from Edison to Bedminster to touch base with some amazing and inspiring women. I attended art classes that were offered, educational sessions and my
favorite presentation "Bogeyman in the Closet "dealing with the worries
of recurrence.
I stopped attending the group during my recurrence and started up again when I finished treatment.
As my advocacy work grew, I not only attended the support group but also made presentations to other cancer survivors too. In 2008, after attending two LiveSTRONG Survivor Summits, I presented Advocacy 101. In 2011, I spoke on Reading Between The Lines in which I offered advice on how to critically read cancer research news. In March 2012, I presented Survivor to Survivor: Understanding Cancer Research, on understanding how researchers report trial results in journal articles.
After moving further from Bedminster, I missed a number of in-person meetings but managed to attend a few every year. I loved this group. There were a few women who had been going for a number of years like me and a new group but it didn't really matter because there was always an atmosphere of strong support and understanding.
When the Covid Pandemic started all the groups were switched to online Zoom meeting. I once again joined in. The women in this group were newly diagnosed ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer survivors. I was the "old timer". We spent time talking about treatments, and genetic testing along with Covid testing, masking, vaccinations and our higher risk of contracting Covid. We lost two women during Covid. Although I never met them in person, I still felt their loss.
In December, the last meeting of the gyn cancer support group was held. There were 3 women in person and two of us online. The five of us were the core group on Zoom during Covid. There is hope to have some special programs for gyn cancer survivors in the future. In the meantime we can stay in touch through email. I am sad but understand the reasons for stopping and I appreciate the opportunity to have met so many amazing women and their families too, through this support group.
Today as I was checking my contact list on my cell phone for a friend's number, I ran across Lois's number, then Dawn's , then Carol's , then Rosemary's, then Diane's. All these women were friends and their lives were cut short due to ovarian cancer. Some of them almost 10 years ago some two years ago. I hesitated for a little bit as I came across each name. I thought of the impact they made in my life as survivors, advocates and friends. Wonderful memories of fundraising events sharing delicious food, meetings in the diner, support group meetings and KOH walks. We were all very different and I am not so sure our paths would have crossed if we had not all had a cancer diagnosis but I am so glad they did.
Then I hit delete. I don't need their numbers, I just need the memories of having them in my life.
Dee
Every Day is a blessing.
