Grateful for Ten million , five hundred and ninteen thousand, two hundred minutes

The song, Seasons of Love from the Broadway show, RENT is a favorite of mine. 

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.
How do you measure,
Measure a year?"

For this year's Cancerversary the verse might read...

"Ten million , five hundred and nineteen thousand, two hundred minutes.

Ten million , five hundred and nineteen thousand, two hundred moments so dear.

Ten million , five hundred and nineteen thousand, two hundred minutes. 

How do you measure, 

twenty years?"

Here's how I would measure the past twenty years. 

It all started counting on July 29, 2005.  I woke up from surgery and heard Dr Rodriguez, my gynecologic oncologist say to me " I am sorry Dee, you have stage 3B ovarian cancer. I will do everything I can to make you well. " My plans for my future changed in an instant on hearing those words. 

Those early months included a phase 1 clinical trial,  nine cycles of chemotherapy, fatigue, neuropathy, loosing my hair and so many blood tests and scans. My chemo schedule took over my life. I never knew if low blood counts would cause chemo to be postponed and how that would impact time with family and friends.   I missed out on many family gatherings.  I worried if I would survive a year, let alone five years. (Only 30% of women diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer live five years. ) I was thrilled when I was able to attend my niece's wedding in May of 2006.   I finished treatment disease free with the help of my wonderful gynecologic  oncologists, Drs. Rodriguez and Gibbon and the caring nurses and staff at Rutgers Cancer Institute. My family and friends were there every step of the way. 

In 2006, Dr. Gibbon set me on the path of ovarian cancer advocacy by suggesting I attend the LiveStrong Survivors Summit in the Fall of  2006.  I came back with a plan to start a gyn cancer survivors support group at my cancer center , started writing this blog and began volunteering with a local non-profit , Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation to raise funds for research and awareness of the disease. 

Hanging teal ribbons at the Cancer Center

I went back to my high school teaching job. I was happy to work at a school where I had the support of the administration and  fellow staff members during my treatment and on my return.  

After missing so many family gatherings during treatment, the next  two and a half years included many wonderful times.  We visited my son in Switzerland where he spent his Junior year abroad. There were also graduation celebrations including my son graduating college, my daughter graduating with her masters degree and latter that May she was married.

At the two year mark my follow-up plan was to have a CT scan , CA-125 blood test and check-up every 6 months. In late 2008, a follow-up CT scan, showed a recurrence on my liver and spleen even though my CA-125 was normal at 17. At the time, I was upset knowing I would once again be disrupting the family schedule and plans with my treatments. But I also felt somewhat at ease since I was familiar with the cancer center nurses and staff and knew the side effects of taking carboplatin and taxol.  I decided to have surgery to remove my spleen and resection my liver in November followed by 6 rounds of carboplatin and taxol chemotherapy starting in January. I experienced one stumbling block though during chemo.  On my second chemo (eleventh chemo overall) I had a severe allergic reaction to carboplatin where I ended up in the hospital and had a Cardiac catheterization.  Thankfully my heart was functioning properly.  I finished the last four chemo cycles with taxol only even though it caused an increase in the neuropathy in my toes and led to toe nail loss.  In the spring of 2009, I was disease free once again. My husband and I celebrated by going on a cruise to Alaska with our Rutgers Football tailgating friends. 

As time progressed, I wondered when my CA-125 would rise to 35 , a signal my cancer may have returned or when a CT scan  would show a recurrence. I stressed at every scan and follow-up oncology appointment.Scanxiety is real!  Many survivors talk about finding a new normal. For me I think of it as a different normal. 

Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and being in treatment was hard, scary and physically challenging. My faith helped me through so many rough patches as did so many of the survivors I met online especially those ladies on the ACOR listserve.  I won't say having cancer was good or a blessing. Rather my cancer diagnosis lead me to travel down a different path that of cancer research advocate.

 

 

Connections to other LiveStrong advocates led me to the Research Advocacy Network and MedX. A friend started #bcsm ( Breast Cancer Social Media) on Twitter ( now X). I met Christina Lizaso , an ovarian cancer advocate on a #bcsm chat about fear of recurrence and together we started the #gyncsm ( Gyn Cancer Social media ) chat and community on Twitter. We offered support, shared information and connected cancer survivors, caregivers and gyn oncs, researchers and other health care providers during chats.  Interacting and working with some of the top ovarian cancer gyn oncs on Twitter/X opened doors I didn't know patients or survivors could open. The #gyncsm community partnered with researchers and published papers on the needs of women with ovarian cancer,  gynecologic cancer caregiver support services and the needs and perspectives when considering PARP inhibitors. I provided the patient voice for two editions of a book I co-authored with Dr Don Dizon. I became an ASCO ( American Society of Clinical Oncology) member and served on the clinical practice guideline committee as well as on three ASCO guideline panels (Anti-emetics, Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for OC and Germline and Somatic testing). I joined SGO and served on their Communication Committee. Some of the best moments in my advocacy work was presenting at two ASCO Annual meetings (a Fireside chat and a Social Media as an Educational Tool presentation) and working with other advocates on two abstracts accepted for presentation at the SGO Annual meetings in 2023 and 2024. 

After my Fireside Chat presentation with Dr Dickson at ASCO 2019.

 

Since my recurrence, I have been able to be a part of so many joyful and fun events.   I shared the joy of the birth of my two grandsons, my son's wedding and when he was awarded his PhD. My children led me to travel more too. I visited Australia with my son when he gave a presentation there and flew to Fiji to visit my daughter when she lived there with her family. 

In 2010 we welcomed Amber a mixed breed dog into our home. Her high energy level lead to our participation in dog Agility. It was a sport I knew nothing about but it has lead to amazing friendships. 

As you can see from reading this post that I have been blessed to measure twenty years. 

Today, July 29, 2025 I am most grateful for the compassionate, excellent care provided by my gynecologic  oncologists and their nurses, the love and support of my husband, my children, their spouses and grandsons and the prayers and support of my friends. 

Dee 

Every Day is a Blessing.  

Words That Changed My Life

Nineteen years ago today I heard the words, "I'm sorry Dee you have stage 3 B ovarian cancer and I will do everything to make you well." I would not be writing this blog if not for my diagnosis. What path would my life have taken if I had not heard those words? I will never know.

On this cancerversary, I am ever grateful to the two women gynecologic oncologists who brought me through two of the toughest moments of my life - my cancer diagnosis and my recurrence. Thank you Dr Lorna Rodriguez  and Dr Darlene Gibbon for your surgical skills, for offering me a clinical trial on initial diagnosis and for prompting me to apply to attend the LiveStrong Survivors Summit in 2006. Yes, all the advocacy work I have been able to accomplish is all because of these two amazing physicians. Their support through the years has been invaluable to me. 

I am thankful too for the wonderful advance practice nurses, infusion nurses and the pharmacists at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. They listened to my concerns, answered my questions and comforted me when I was anxious. 

When I was initially diagnosed I was tested for mutations in the BRCA 1 and 2 genes. Today we know that BRCA mutations cause 10% of the ovarian cancer diagnosed. Just this year, a study in Nature  titled Identification of potentially actionable genetic variants in epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective cohort study included this table of other mutations associated with ovarian cancer. 

Look at how extensive that list is today! We know so much more about risk factors and the mutations that cause ovarian cancer. Researchers have given me hope as they report at SGO and ASCO meetings  progress on the development of novel treatments that have led to FDA approvals the drugs bevacizumab, parp inhibitors and antibody drug conjugates for Folate receptor alpha + expressing tumors.

While my life has changed in so many ways, one thing has remained the same after nineteen years.  There is NO screening test for ovarian cancer. There have been many good efforts but not one test has turned out to be specific and sensitive enough to detect ovarian cancer. We have more work to do but I know the dedicated ovarian cancer researchers I have met through the years will continue working to find a test and therapies to extend life. 

Here's to seeing what the future will bring for me and all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

The Importance of Obstacles - 18 Years Later

For the past month or so, I have been on the road traveling and helping family move. As I was catching up on e-mail, I read one from Laura Davis which included writing prompts. I found the perfect prompt for this blog post.

The Importance of Obstacles

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which (s)he has overcome.” —Booker T. Washington 

Make a list of the obstacles you have overcome in life. Choose one to write about in detail.

____________

It was 2005 and I was teaching AP computer science, my grown children, my husband and I were doing well. I was a wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. These last roles remain but my other "job" description has change due to one - dare I say huge - obstacle that entered my life on July 29, 2005. 

I woke up from surgery to learn I had stage 3 high grade serous ovarian cancer. Well, that was earth shattering news to say the least. I call it my weak in the knees period of my life - a feeling of not knowing how long or what my future held. 

My gynecologic oncologist told me she would do everything to make me well and together we put together a plan. But I will be honest, I took to Dr Google and read everything I could about ovarian cancer. I bought books and read journal articles. I'm happy that I have always loved science because it came in handy when I was learning about a subject I never thought I'd need to know about. I learned that at stage 3,  I had a 30% chance of surviving 5 years. Holy Cow, those were not good odds. I had just turned 50 years of age and I might not make it to 55. Everything changed!  I refused to buy a winter coat that year because I thought it would be a waste of money. I couldn't plan the next two weeks forget about long term plans. 

There were a few different ways I could overcome this obstacle. I considered and chose to participate in a Phase 1 clinical trial. I researched the use of selenium with carboplatin and taxol. It  meant more and longer days at my cancer center. My husband and children supported my participation in the trial and along with family members and friends rallied around me. They were ready to help at a moment's notice with meals, walking the dog and keeping my spirits up.

I experienced many side effects during treatment. The duo of carboplatin and paclitaxel were tough on me. There was bone pain and I lost my hair. I dealt with neuropathy, from  tingling in my toes to where it felt like they were being stabbed by a knife. Instant menopause and subsequent hot flashes meant putting on sweaters, taking then off 10 minutes later.   Then there was the constipation and nausea. The drugs for nausea actually kept me from vomiting which was the goal and I am thankful they worked. Each of the nine cycles brought three days of unbelievable fatigue. I was unable to get out of bed. I didn't have the strength to hold up a book or magazine and even if I could hold them up, I was unable to concentrate on what I read. At one point I wanted to stop. The obstacle was too large.

In all those trips to the cancer center,  I had not meet another women with ovarian cancer. I needed to hear from a long term survivor. I reach out to Cancer Hope Network and spoke to a woman who was a five year survivor.  She gave me hope. I started making connections with other women through Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation and other ovarian cancer foundations in my state. Those connections continue to be priceless to me.

When I needed a PET scan to determine if the lesions on my liver were cancer I faced another type of fight. Arguing for a scan when you are in the midst of chemo is a challenge.  At the time PET scans were only approved for lung cancer patients not ovarian cancer patients. I eventually had the PET scan which showed the lesions were not cancerous and I was finished with treatment.

At a follow up visit in the Spring of 2006, my gyn onc told me about the LiveStrong Survivors Summit being held 6 months later. I applied and was accepted. That Summit empowered me and gave me skills to further overcome the obstacle. I became a cancer advocate.

Today one recurrence, countless CA-125 blood tests and 25 + CT scans later,  I am  celebrating 18 years as a survivor. I took my biggest obstacle and turned it into catalyst to become an ovarian cancer research advocate. 

I co-founded the #gyncsm (gyn cancer socila media) community on Twitter, wrote a book with my Twitter friend, Dr Don Dizon. I am a member of my cancer center's Scientific Review Board and serve on the NCI's Ovarian Cancer Task Force. I've presented at the ASCO and SGO Annual Meetings and  I've received a number of advocacy awards. One of the activities I enjoy the most is offering peer support to women diagnosed with ovarian cancer through Cancer Hope Network.

I still worry about a recurrence, two toes are still numb from neuropathy, and I have learned to not multi-task otherwise chemo - brain rears it's ugly head. But I am here living my life.

In no way am I saying that my experience was a "gift".  Instead I am saying that my cancer diagnosis , my obstacle had a tremendous impact on my life - both bad and good.

I am sure without this obstacle, my life would have been different. I wonder how different. Would we have ever moved to a different town, would I have ever done agility with my dog, would I have ever traveled and been invited to speak?  Would I have supported other women in the ways I have? Maybe not. 

I am truly blessed to  have been treated by the skilled gyn oncs at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and to have the unending support of a dear husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends. Thanks everyone!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

A Different Kind of Sweet 16

In 2019, my sister sent me an old photo from my Sweet 16 party. It was a small party at my home with a few friends from high school. In the photo were Kathy, Karen, Patty, Ilene, Mindy and Debbie who were   fellow twirlers and classmates. Everyone in the photo was smiling. I remember it was a fun day. 

Today, July 29th, I celebrate another Sweet 16. 

On this day in 2005, I woke up from surgery to hear my gynecologic oncologist say " I am sorry Dee, you have stage three B ovarian cancer but I will do everything I can to make you well. " I am here writing this blog sixteen years later because of the treatments I received at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ , the care provided by Dr Rodriguez, Dr Gibbon and their team, the support of my family and friends and my faith. 

Today I am thankful for these Sweet 16 years of life. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Pets and Painting From Diagnosis to Today - 15 years

As many of you know from reading this blog, on July 29, 2005 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  I woke up from surgery and heard my gyn onc say the words, " I am sorry Dee, you have stage 3B ovarian cancer." Those words sent me down a road that I would have rather not gone down. A clinical trial consisting of nine carboplatin, taxol and selenium treatments followed that diagnosis. Then I faced more surgery and chemotherapy in 2008 when the cancer recurred on my liver and spleen. But somehow with faith, family, friends and treatments by the most talented, compassionate gynecologic oncologists, I am here today to celebrate my 15th Cancerversary. Thank you Drs. Rodriguez,  Gibbon and Song and the nursing staff at Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ for the excellent care. 

During most of the fifteen  years of survivorship, I have had a dog. When I was first diagnosed, a pug named Kona greeted me when I got home from treatments and slept on the recliner with me, most times snoring more than I was. Sadly, he passed right after I had surgery for my recurrence.  At the time, I wasn't sure how I could get through my upcoming chemo without a pug on my lap.

After a year and a half later, both my husband and I knew the house was too quiet without a dog. So ten years ago, an All American dog, Amber entered our lives. She was full of energy and loved to jump. So Joe who owned the kennel where we took Amber for puppy training, suggested we train for dog agility.  That has been so  much fun these past few years . I learned something new and I met lots of other dog lovers. It was also an activity in which I totally forgot about my cancer. Amber has been by my side in the ring and on our long walks around town. I hope this continues for many years to come.

Another activity has grown over the past 15 years too. During my initial chemotherapy my son's friend gave me an acrylic paint kit.  I had stayed home while in chemotherapy when my blood counts were low, just like now during the COVID -19 pandemic. Painting helped me pass the time, took my mind off of the side effects and kept me calm as if I was meditating. I started with quilt designs ( I can't sew very well at all) , then some landscapes but I found I enjoy painting dogs the most - big dogs, small dogs, agility dogs and family pets. 

So on this my 15th Cancerversary, I share with you my love of dogs through the paintings I have created during these past fifteen years. 

Kona -a magnificent pug

McCoy -a Viszla

Winston

Coby

Silvio - my grandpup

Chick- an agility dog

Sassy- an agility dog

Princess - a Brittany Spaniel

Bling - an agility dog

Walter - my grandpup

Cooper - an agility dog

Ginger - Bull Mastiff

Gracie - agility dog

Smitten- agility dog

Tim - grand pup ( The only watercolor painting of a dog I have completed to date.)

Amber - my best friend and agility dog

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

A Long life and What I Forgot

On July 26, my husband and I drove up to Westchester County to see my dear mother-in-law. She has been in a nursing home a number of years dealing with Alzheimers.  She was a few months shy of her 100th birthday and her health was declining. I used that visit to show her photos of her great-grand sons, to tell her how important she was in my life and how awesome a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother she was. I am so glad I had that opportunity.

The next day in the afternoon we received the call that she had passed away. The next few days were spent getting things in order for her services and funeral. My son and daughter decided to fly in so we made a trip to the Philly airport  to pick them up - they arrived within 5 minutes of each other in the wee hours of the morning last  Wednesday. The next two days were spent in Brooklyn for the services. Spending time with my husband's family (many who flew in from out of state) and old friends was special. I value the years I have been a part of this wonderful family and I was happy to have so many memories when we celebrated her life. While we were busy celebrating her long life many of our friends and family helped to made our life easier. They sent mass card, condolences and food. Others helped take in the mail, put out the garbage and walk the dogs.

Our children flew back to their spouses and kids on August 6th and for the past few days my husband and I have been catching up on sleep and getting back to the things we had put to the side for the past ten days.

When I got back to my advocacy on Twitter, I  saw Christina's post that #gyncsm is almost 6 years old. It was then that  I realized that I had totally forgot my cancerversary.

On July 29th I celebrated 14 years as an ovarian cancer survivor.  I so appreciate my doctors at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey for making these years possible and I can't thank my family and friends enough for being by my side during treatments and for so many years after.

Deeply grateful,

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

13 years? Yes it is.

I remember waking up from surgery on July 29th, 2005 to the words " You have stage 3B ovarian cancer". And then the words," I will do everything to make you well".

My life changed with those few words in so many ways. If you have followed this blog since 2007 you know that it hasn't always been easy. But I have made it through with the help of my outstanding physicians and nurses at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey,  the help of my best friend and husband Nick, the support of my children and their spouses, the love of my grandsons, supportive family and some of the best friends anyone could ask for.

Have there been side effects? Sure. Do I still have neuropathy in my toes? Yes. Do I still experience chemobrain? Yes. If I am multi-tasking my word recall diminishes dramatically which at times could lead to a few good laughs. Have I had some really stressful times? Absolutely. To this day, about a week before my scans and blood work, until I hear my test results, my anxiety level goes through the roof. Does my mind still go to cancer whenever I have an ache or pain? Honestly, even now, yes it does. Does it stay there for long? Usually not. 

But most of the time I am having fun living my life and trying new experiences. How can cancer bring you good things you ask? For me, having an ovarian cancer diagnosis lead me to become an ovarian cancer research advocate. I have been able to take part in projects to increase cancer research funding. I've attended medical conferences as a voice for ovarian cancer patients. I  have traveled to Chicago, Maryland, Washington, DC and Lisbon. I've been a panel member for three ASCO Guidelines, and co-authored a book and journal articles. ( And another one is in the works.) And I have met so many amazing patients, physicians, researchers and writers along the way.

And these extra years have let to new experiences too. There have been weddings, graduations, births and trips to some spots on my bucket list. I started painting when I was in chemotherapy and I continue to find it a very calming activity. I paint mostly animals - dogs usually but a few cats and birds too.  And I love painting quilts ( I'm not so good at sewing quilts but love the symmetry in the designs. ) After my recurrence, I learned how to do agility with my dog, Amber.  I'm not fast - Amber is- but I love spending time with Amber and being around people who love their dogs.

So thanks for taking this journey with me. And now a special shout out to Dr Lorna Rodriguez and Dr Darlene Gibbon. My life savers for making this all possible.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

XII years

When I attended the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey's Wings of Hope event in June, I spent some time at the table for cancer survivors. There is a Japanese tradition that 1000 cranes will bring you luck. So survivors were able to string together origami cranes to celebrate our years of survivorship. I stood that day in a light rain stringing together my cranes.

WINGS OF HOPE 2017 -12 CRANES

Tomorrow (July 29, 2017) will mark the 12th anniversary of waking up from surgery and hearing,"You have Stage 3B Ovarian Cancer."

It is still hard for me to believe it has been that long.  When I was first diagnosed, even though I was told to not read the survival statistics, I did. I wasn't so sure I would make 5 years (30%).

When I recurred in 2008 I thought for sure I would never rid my body of the cancer. Yet, I did, due to the skills of the  amazing surgeons, gynecologic oncologists and nurses at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the love and support of family and friends and other reasons I don't know. 

I am especially grateful for my husband, my children and their spouses, my grandsons and countless family and friends for their love and support these past twelve years. You have provided me with the best memories anyone could ask for. Thank you all.

Looking forward to blogging about my "cancerversary" for many years to come. 

Dee
Every day is a Blessing! 

We Talked...

Earlier this week I met my friend, Sandy, for lunch. Sandy and I first meet when we attended the Gynecologic Cancer Support Group meetings at our cancer center in 2007. We were both diagnosed in 2005 with stage 3 serous epithelial ovarian cancer. We became friends and have stayed in touch even though Sandy now lives half the year in the Florida Keys.  Since she returns to NJ for the summer, we took this opportunity to get together.

Our lunch conversation was not about politics or the heat wave. Nope we talked about our gynecologic oncologists and our nurses. Even after more than ten years, those doctors and nurses still play an important role in our lives. Both our doctors are practicing in different locations now. So we talked about what went into the decision to stay at our cancer center or follow them to their new locations. Not an easy decision at all.

Then we talked about how even 11 years out,  we still worry about a recurrence. We laughed about how we can't multi-task any longer because when we do, we forget things. We weren't talking about forgetting where we left our keys or glasses. We were talking about finding the right words / names for things. We talked about how on some days we still need to nap because we are too exhausted to function properly. We talked about how our toes are still numb and how we can literally trip over our own feet- and it is not the shoes we are wearing.  We talked about how we still get nervous when we need to have our blood drawn for our CA-125 level. We talked about gaining weight. Do you feel bloated? ( One of the signs of ovarian cancer.) We talked about how neither of us have had a CT scan in over 2 years. Should we get one? We don't want to expose ourselves to the radiation but we know that for us that is the only way we will find a recurrence. Decisions, Decisions.

I talked about my advocacy work and she talked about her paintings and recent gallery exhibits. We talked about our families. We have been blessed and we have accomplished a lot over the past 11 years.

Then we talked about Pam and Sharon and Rita Kay and others from our support group. We can't understand why we are two of the lucky ones- women who have lived ten plus years after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Sure we try to exercise more and eat better - less red meat , more fruits and vegetables but nothing dramatic.

Honestly, we don't know why we are still alive... and why our friends are not...eleven years later.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! Blessed to be celebrating my 11th cancerversary on July 29th.

Ten Years!

July 29, 2005
DX Stage 3B Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Surgery
9 cycles of Carboplatin/taxol/selenium ( Phase 1 Clinical Trial)

October 3, 2008
Recurrence : CT scan shows lesions on my spleen and liver
Spleenectomy , Liver resection
6 cycles ( carbo/taxol 2 cycles then 4 taxol only)

July 29, 2010
ALIVE and NED
The 10-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is 38%. (ACS Cancer Facts, 2012)

I am grateful to be in that 38%. 
I am grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.
I am grateful for my faith. 
I am grateful for Dr Lorna Rodriguez and Dr Darlene Gibbon at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. I would not be here without the excellent and compassionate care they provide. 

I want to give back to these doctors who have given me 10 years of life so I have created a personal campaign to raise funds for the  Ovarian Cancer Research Support Fund at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ). If you are able please donate and support the exciting ovarian cancer research being done at RCINJ.  Please click here to get to my fundraising page.  
Thank you!

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

It is 2015 !

It is 2015, I'm here and I am thrill!
I look forward to March and my son's wedding. I love my future daughter-in-law and am so happy to have her join the family.
I look forward to June when I will celebrate a pretty special birthday.
And I look forward to July,well the 29th in particular, when I will celebrate a landmark "cancerversary" - my 10th.

Even with all these exciting things already planned for the year I still want to make my  annual aspirations.  I wrote about my aspirations for 2014 here. For 2015, I'm going to repeat some of last year's aspirations ( I never did make a trip to Maine) and update some others. Here they are:

• Continue to visit my children and grandchildren every few months
• Continue to advocate for ovarian cancer patients and research through this blog and the #gyncsm community
• Post more frequently on this blog
• Help my dog, Amber, achieve Excellent titles in Agility
• Continue to increase my physical activity and flexibility so that I can be a better dog handler and improve my health
• Continue to paint
• Visit the state of Maine
• Learn some Hindi words (New)

I wish for all my readers a Happy and Healthy and Joyful 2015.

Dee
Every Day is a blessing!

Seven Years a Blogger

Yesterday, December 30th marked the seventh anniversary of writing this blog.

I started this blog back in December of 2007 because I wanted to  share my experience and information about ovarian cancer with other women diagnosed with the disease in NJ. At the time I was not sure I would live to see my 5th "cancerversary". But next year, 2015, I will celebrate my 10th "cancerversary". My blog has also grown and now reaches women in the US as well as internationally ( UK, Germany, Russia, Canada France, etc.)

Some of my most popular posts this year were:

• Design Thinking and Healthcare- My MedX IDEO Challenge Experience ( over 900 page views)
• I'm Grateful For
• Losses and Friendships
• Ovarian Cancer Facts for NJ

I know this year I have not posted at the frequency I have posted in the past. One reason why has been my increased involvement with the #gyncsm community. In late 2013, Christina Lizaso and I founded the community for women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers as well as their caregivers and health care providers. You may find us on twitter at @gyncsm . We offer monthly chats on topics of interest to the community ( 2nd Wed of the month 9pm EST) . Christina and I research each topic we discuss, develop questions, find reliable resources for our followers as well as guest speakers. I also continue to write for our blog (http://gyncsm.blogspot.com/) which provides info about each chat, links to transcripts and resources related to each topic. In addition to the chat information, I have posted about clinical trials, World Ovarian Cancer Day and reported on the results of a survey we did of #gyncsm followers. In October this year,  we also partnered with Smart Patients an online platform to offer a place for our community members to discuss our topics in more the 140 characters.

In addition to being a patient reviewer for PCORI , a Survivors Day Committee committee member, volunteer with the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation, and e-patient scholar at Stanford MedX I was  a busy wife, mom and grandma.

I look forward to continuing to blog (hopefully more frequently) in 2015.

I wish all my readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Clap Along ...

On July 29, 2005 I was diagnosis with Stage IIIB serous epithelial ovarian cancer.Since that day I have had two surgeries, participated in a clinical trial( 3 if you count the ones that used my tumor tissue), 16 chemotherapy treatments, countless blood tests, CT scans and doctor visits.Today, nine years later,  I am especially thankful for the wonderful doctors and nurses at CINJ, for my husband, children, family, friends and for my faith.

So join me today and "Clap Along "and be happy.



Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

8 Years and Counting

This post will also be appearing on the SGO blog page.

I don’t know who coined the term cancerversary but I have been using it for a few years. For some survivors their cancerversary is the anniversary of the day they were diagnosed with cancer. Yet for others it is the anniversary of the day they finished treatment.

I celebrate my cancerversary on the day I was diagnosed. I remember that day quite vividly. I also remember the words my gynecologic oncologist, said to me in the hospital recovery room. It was around noon on Friday, July 29, 2005. She said,  "Dee, I am sorry. I found ovarian cancer. You are stage 3B.” Then she went on to say, “But I will do my best to make you well." And that is what she and her colleagues at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ have done. They made me well in 2005 and again in 2008 when I recurred on my liver and spleen. They continue to make me well to this day helping me through the side effects of chemotherapy and dealing with the fear of recurrence. They are my lifesavers.

As I celebrate my eighth cancerversary on July 29^th I want to thank my gynecologic oncologists, Dr. Gibbon and Dr. Rodriguez and all gynecologic oncologists who provided such outstanding and compassionate care to me and countless of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Seven Years and Counting

I am really thrilled to be posting this entry.

On Sunday, July 29th I will celebrate my 7th "cancerversary".

I can still remember the words Dr Lorna Rodriguez said to me in the recovery room of RWJUH late in the morning of Friday July 29, 2005. She said,  "Dee, I am sorry. I found ovarian cancer. You were stage 3B. But I will do my best to treat you and make you well. " And she and Dr . Gibbon did just that not once but twice. They are my lifesavers. Thank you Dr. Gibbon and Dr Rodriguez.

And of course I can't forget to thank the best caregiver in the world my husband, Nick, my children Terry and Matt and all my family and friends. Your love and support helped me through the toughest parts of this journey. I Love You All.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Six Years and Counting

Today July 29th is my six year "cancerversary".

Six years ago today I awoke from surgery to hear the words " Dee, I am sorry . You have ovarian cancer . Stage 3". Wow, how my world has changed since Dr. R spoke those words. There were lots of bad times during and after treatment and when I learned I had a recurrence in 2008 but each of those bad times were followed by some pretty incredibly good times.

And I am still here. Thanks in no small part to my gyn-oncs at CINJ, my loving husband, my fantastic children, wonderful family and supportive friends.

I am loving every minute of this life of mine.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! Thanking God today for the blessing of life!

High Five! A Celebration of Five Years

July 29,2005 was not such a great day for me. I awoke from surgery and learned I had stage IIIB ovarian cancer. My doctor said I shouldn’t read any of the statistics. They are just numbers, she said. Did I listen? No. When I got home from the hospital I went on to the NCI website and I read the stats . Not so good. The overall five-year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer is 46% but for late stage (that was me) it drops to roughly 30%. Not such a great number.

But the stats didn’t know me. The stats didn’t know my doctors. The stats didn't know my family and friends. My doctors, Lorna Rodriguez and Darlene Gibbon and their nurses at the Cancer Institute of NJ are my lifesavers. They discussed my options, suggested a port-a-cath, offered me a clinical trial, started treatment quickly and made sure I stayed on schedule.

My husband was my rock. When I thought it was too tough to continue he would say just take it one day at a time and you’ll be done before you know it. So after nine cycles of carbo/taxol /selenium over a 7 month period, I was done. Life slowly returned to a new normal. Over the next few years I visited my son in Switzerland where he spent a semester abroad, I watched him graduate college and saw my daughter marry a marvelous man.

Then in October 2008 my CT scan showed lesions on my spleen and liver. Darn that was not good. I thought to myself maybe those stats would be right. But once again my CINJ gyn oncs went to work. They referred me to Dr. Chris Gannon , a CINJ surgical oncologist. He removed my spleen and did a liver resection. I followed that up with six cycles of chemo and the cancer was gone. Again. And it still is.

So tomorrow I get to celebrate my fifth "cancerversary". The heck with those statistics.

As a way to celebrate this milestone and to honor my CINJ Doctors and nurses, I am walking in the High Speed Chase for the Cure benefiting CINJ on Sunday September 12, 2010. I’ve formed a team. My daughter suggested the name - High Five. Makes sense – ‘cause I’m celebrating five years as a cancer survivor. Want to join my team? You can walk, be a virtual walker, run or just make a donation for what I think is a very worthy cause- my lifesavers at CINJ.

High Five!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing !

PS( Thanks to http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/featured/its-national-high-five-day/ for the photo above.)