Time to Look Forward

I've been feeling pretty under the weather lately so I regret taking so long to do this post.

Every year in January I write a post on my aspirations for the year ahead. I'm not keen on resolutions but aspirations well those are just things I will keep trying for.

Just now, when I looked back at my aspirations from January 2017, I'm glad I can keep trying because I wasn't totally successful.

Here is aspirations will remain from last year:

• I aspire to continue to support other women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, to share my story as an ovarian cancer survivor and to promote ovarian cancer research. ( There are some activities that I will have to cut back on so I can achieve some of my other aspirations on this list.  I am adding that I aspire to  help more women become advocates. I see the same awesome advocates at events. We need more new and fresh voices.)
• I aspire to travel with my husband and visit at least 2 states I have not visited before. Maine is one of the two.  ( This has been on my list since 2016. But I'll try again this year.)
• I aspire to learn a new arts and craft technique. ( I did some glass blowing in 2017 which was loads of fun. ) 
•  I aspire to find a way to give back in my community or church. ( I wasn't as successful at this one as I had hoped to be so on the list it will stay.)
• I aspire to spend more time with my daughter and her family and my son and his wife.  (Trying to fill the time over the next few months while my daughter and her family are stateside and only 3 hours away.There are a few built in get-togethers too that I am excited about. ) 
•  I aspire to build an even better bond with my dog Amber so we can compete at the masters level in agility. (She did get her excellent std title last year,  so we really will be competing in masters in both JWW and STD.)

Now for new aspirations:

• Update this blog's layout. (Look! It's done! That was easy.) 
• I aspire to complete an online course in Genomics. (Yeah I'm a science geek. )
• I aspire to go kayaking.
• I aspire to make my FitBit celebrate each day as I hit my step count, sleep better, increase my fiber intake and drink more water. 

What do you aspire to do in 2018?

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

The Threads of My Life

Graceful Hope was started by the Rocha family. Grace Rocha and her daughter Erika were both diagnosed with ovarian cancer and treated at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey,  were I was treated. Sadly Grace passed away in 2008 and Erika, initially diagnosed at the age of 16,  passed away in 2011.

I first met the Rocha family in 2012 when they asked me to share my survivor story at the 2nd Benefit. This past weekend I was once again honored to speak at the 5th Annual Graceful Hope Benefit for Ovarian Cancer Research. This year the funds raised were being presented to Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ.

Here are portions of my speech - The Threads of My Life.

Speaking at the Graceful Hope 5th Annual Benefit

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Some survivors say Cancer is a Gift others say it most definitely is not. For me I think of Cancer as a thread in the fabric of my life and over the past 12 years many new threads have been added.

Graceful Hope has became a thread in that fabric starting in 2012 when I had the privilege of sharing my story with many of you. 
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In the late spring of 2005 I went to the ER for intense pain on the left side of my abdomen. That led to a series of tests and a referral to Dr Rodriguez at RCINJ. I woke up from surgery on July 29^th to learn I had stage 3b epithelial ovarian cancer. I can still remember the words Dr. Rodriguez said to me as she left the recovery room - “ I will do everything I can to make you well.”  She offered me hope as I joined the almost 700 women who would be diagnosed in NJ that year.

She also offered me a phase 1 clinical trial of standard chemo along with selenium which I decided participated in. Nine cycles and 7 months later I was told I was disease free. The thread as survivor added to my fabric.

As my hair grew in and I became stronger I went to follow-up visits at CINJ.  I heard about the LiveSTRONG  Survivors Summit in Austin , Tx . Attending that summit weaved another thread in my story that of being an advocate.  It was an incredibly empowering experience and laid the groundwork for my involvement in a number of organizations, educating about symptoms and blogging .

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Life slowly returned to a new normal. I went back to work. I watched my son graduate college, my daughter receive her graduate degree and marry in May 2008.

In Oct that year, after a routine CT scan Dr. Rodriguez called me to say that my cancer had returned in two spots one on my liver the other on my spleen. This time I knew a lot more about ovarian cancer so I looked at the three treatment options I was offered and decided I would have surgery first – which included removing my spleen and resectioning my liver - and then six chemotherapy treatments. In the spring of 2009, I heard there was no evidence of disease.

I’ve gone back to yet another new normal, which includes spending time with family which grew by  two grandsons and a daughter-in-law , dog agility, and of course advocacy. I feel I have a responsibility to all the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who are no longer with us to be their voice and to speak up for the needs of women dx with the disease. Since my recurrence a major portion of my time is spent on research advocacy work and supporting other survivors.

In 2013, along with another ovarian cancer advocate I cofounded the Gynecologic Cancer Social Media Community on Twitter which we call #gyncsm. And another thread was added to my life. Along with our co-moderators, three  gynecologic oncologists and a psychologist,  we hold monthly chats on topics of interest to those impacted by gyn cancers. Because of my work with gyncsm I’ve had the amazing opportunity to attended the Am Society of Clinical oncology Annual Meetings and became an advocate member of the society ...

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There are times the neuropathy in my toes bothers me.  Chemo brain frustrates me. And I still get anxious waiting for test results.  But the threads of my life have including many blessings. I’ve had the opportunity to meet amazing women diagnosed with ovarian cancer like Tina, Dawn and Terry.

In the past almost 12 years I have seen progress for women with ovarian cancer – new medicines, targeted therapies, IP chemo, recommendations that women with OC to receive genetic testing, research into immunotherapy and circulating DNA. And it is survivors, caregivers and friends  like you – those passionate about raising awareness and finding a cure that are helping make a difference. 

It is wonderful to be here as you celebrate your 5^th event. The Graceful Hope family has weaved their thread into my life and my heart. Thank you.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Family

Our family tree - a gift from my son and daughter-in-law

Last weekend was filled with joyful celebration. We traveled to Auburn, Alabama to attend my son's wedding. My husband and I were so happy to welcome a very beautiful, caring, smart and talented "daughter" into our family and we were touched by the family and friends (both ours and my daughter-in-law's) who made the trip to witness the beginning of Matt and Amanda's new life together.

In 2008, a few weeks after my surgery for a recurrence,  two very good friends gave me an  Operation Bling Foundation necklace. During the past few years I took it out often and looked at it and thought about the support my friends provided and smiled.  But it never seemed the right time to wear it. The right time was on Saturday when I was there for a milestone in  my son's life.

I know I've written this many times before on this blog but back in 2005 I did not think I would see my son graduate college, get his Master's degree or marry. But there I was sitting in the front row with my grandson on my lap watching him and his wife say their vows. Holding back tears. Feeling very blessed.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! Blessed to have Amanda as part of our family.

The Only Constant in Life

is Change!

The most recent change which makes me feel happy and sad at the same time involves a person who has played an important role in my journey with ovarian cancer.

Early last week I learned J, a social worker at my cancer center, was leaving. I am happy because she is making a move that is so wonderful for her and her family. But I am still sad because I will no longer see someone who has made my cancer survivorship easier.

J took care of the gynecologic cancer patients and facilitated the Gyn Cancer Support group. She has been instrumental in the success of this group for more than seven years. Because of her expertise as a social worker, she knew just when a patient needed the support of others and that is when she would tell them about the  support group and ask them to join us.

She also was involved in a number of patient programs at the cancer center including Survivors Day.  I served on the Survivors Day Planning Committee with her for a few years so I was able to see her creativity, her efforts to make the day special for patients and how well she got along with other cancer center staff and other survivors.

J was always there for me. I used to call her J- 911. If there was an emotional need all you had to do was call J-911 and she would be there with all the advice you needed to get you through the rough spots.  She was especially helpful to me when the deaths of friends in the support group deeply affected me. After seven years she was more to me that just a social worker she was a friend.

I wish only the best for J.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! J was such a blessing to me. 

Link Up: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me

My friend who writes the blog Rambling Follower invited me to participate in this Link-Up. So now that things have settled down at home here are 10 things you might not know about me.

1. If need be, I can replace the float, flapper and handle on a toilet tank and I know how to solder. I spent many days off from school and during the summer tagging along with my Dad who was a plumber.
2. I can twirl fire. Well, maybe not anymore, but I did in high school for the Thanksgiving Day football game my senior year.
3. I was in the Rifle Club in high school. We used to practice at the police shooting range. Ask my kids how much fun we had at the Shooting gallery at Disney.
4. When I was in high school I dreamed of being an astronaut and loved reading science fiction.
5. My high school guidance counselor told me I didn't really want to be an engineer. I proved her wrong. I graduated in the second class of women to ever graduate from Rutgers College. I have an undergrad degree in Chemical Engineering and a graduate degree in Material Science from the College of Engineering.
6. I was a coxswain for the lightweight men's crew team in college. In four years I was thrown into many lakes and rivers including Lake Carnegie, Lake Cayuga, the Housatonic, the Schuylkill, & the Raritan.
7. I have two US patents for packaging. ( # 4,775,523 & # 4,590,065).
8. I call tomato sauce "gravy" and find nothing more comforting than gravy and meatballs on Sunday.
9. I enjoy traveling and I hope to visit all 50 states. I have 17 more to go.
10. I collect bells. They run the gamut from silver Christmas bells, to glass blown to brass bells.

If you are one of my blogger friends feel free to write your own list and leave a comment so I can read more about you.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!