Did You Know?

This month I had initially decided to do two ovarian cancer walks, but after the first walk I honestly didn’t have the same motivation to do the second. I think most of it was due to the fact that I was still tired from the week before and I honestly couldn’t see how the second walk could top the experience I had with the first. All week long I mulled over this decision and finally, just a few days before the event I went to the person I knew would give me the best advice, my husband. When I asked his opinion on whether or not I should go he gave me a very good way of looking at things. He said that I should go for all of the right reasons which included not only to raise money and bring awareness to ovarian cancer, but more importantly to go and fellowship with other survivors because that is what it’s really about. He said I shouldn’t go unless I was going to make it about that; meeting other survivors and families of survivors and learning how they coped through diagnosis, survivorship and in some cases even loss. I thought, boy was he right! He told me, “You are writing a blog, even a book and it’s those stories that you can talk about and those folks who will understand what you’ve been through, unlike any of your friends and family”. I quickly settled on going at that point.

The morning of the event I was met with a much smaller team than before that included my mother and sister/cousin which I was very happy about because they were the best support system for the day I was getting ready to embark upon. When we got to the Detroit Zoo that morning (where the race was being held), we walked around to different tables that were set up by local vendors and fellow survivors. I met quite a bit of folks, told my story and even heard others’. We took our time around the course and enjoyed the zoo animals along the way, but although we had a pleasant time taking pictures and enjoying the animals, I couldn’t forget what I had set out to accomplish that day. Those very words my husband said kept replaying in my mind. As we were walking one of the very first signs I came across was the one above that asked, Did you know? Of those diagnosed with ovarian cancer approximately 10% are under the age of 40? And I thought what an interesting fact that was and how I was a part of that number.

Just about midway through the race I encountered a family who recognized me from the week before who stopped me and asked about my survivor story. She explained that her mother was the survivor and that she and her family were walking on her behalf. She told me that her mom was first diagnosed 5 years ago and in those five years it had come back three times and this last time her body was not responsive to the chemo. I offered her advice as I only knew how, which was to tell her that one, her mother was blessed because of her support, her mom was still here and as many of us know, the 5 year survivor rate decreases significantly for those with stage 3 or above ovarian cancer, so she was already a winner and finally, to keep her focus and hope on the one who can heal (God) and not the problem.

Shortly after as I was meandering through the zoo lost in my own thoughts about the story I had just heard, I happened to look up and noticed another family in front of me. What I noticed first were the signs that said: “I am walking for”. All of their signs said, “I am walking for Rachel” in various ways such as “for my daughter Rachel”, “my niece Rachel” and even “for my wife Rachel”. When I got to the one on Rachel’s’ husband I noticed that he was a younger guy which then made me look around for Rachel and I spotted a young lady who looked about my age. My mom must have noticed at the same time because she spoke up and said that I should talk to her because she looked about my age. I approached her and to be honest she seemed rather apprehensive to speak with me for some reason, but I pressed on because I knew there was a reason I had come across her and the bigger purpose of why I was there that day. In speaking with her I learned that she was a seven year survivor and had been diagnosed with the very rare form of ovarian cancer that I was. We were both diagnosed with Granulosa Cell Tumor. She was initially diagnosed at 23 and was now 30. I learned that she had found out that she had it after experiencing some pain while planning her wedding. She said she was so afraid she would lose all of her hair before her wedding, but later learned that like me, she didn’t need any chemo or radiation and would be able to keep all of her hair for her big day. She pointed to her three girls and said that she was even able to have three kids after losing one ovary. Her first child was born nine months after her surgery. We took a picture and both went on our way. I left thinking, “Wow, this is the reason I came here today”. I thought back about how she said it had been 7 years and just last month she was deemed as cured and her doctors had kicked her out. God is so good. I’m thankful that I crossed paths with her; someone in my age group, someone who was diagnosed with the same form of ovarian cancer, someone who has done something I also desire, to conceive naturally, and finally, someone who fell within the confines of the 10% under 40, but now defined as cured.

I dedicate this post to my husband because he’s my biggest advocate and truly a blessing. I’m so thankful to him and his leadership that pushed me to go on the walk to meet survivors and families of survivors.

 

Rachel and I