Printer Friendly
E-Mail This Story
Save a life — Take time, enjoy, talk and share!
|
To hear the diagnosis is cancer for yourself or a loved one, the news is devastating. I am so very fortunate because I am a cancer survivor! Just prior to my diagnosis, my sister-in-law was told she had endometrial cancer. She and I spoke often about the symptoms she was experiencing. Her symptoms had been sketchy and her cancer was quite advanced when it was finally discovered. As we talked, I began to think of symptoms that I had passed off as part of the aging process that she, too, had experience. Because of her I was proactive and had my symptoms checked, even though I had already mentioned them to my doctor on two previous exams. After a biopsy and ultrasound I was diagnosed with the same cancer as my sister-in-law. Unlike my sister-in-law, who has undergone chemo and radiation, and has experienced all the problems that arise from these treatments, I had surgery and required no further follow-up treatments because of the early detection. Had she and I not talked and shared, I would not have done anything in the near future and my cancer might have been advanced when it was finally diagnosed. I cannot thank her enough that she shared and talked about her symptoms. There is not much publicity about the gynecologic cancers. I am hopeful women will talk and share more about the gynecologic cancers with the little pamphlet I have made called "Garden Walk." The intent of "Garden Walk" is to spark conversation with the beautiful flower photos and then continue conversation with proactive information. One side has photos taken this summer of our beautiful Wisconsin garden (pictured). Gardens provide exercise, calm, comfort, surprise, and even devastation after a storm. They are filled will life and hope. The other side has the signs and symptoms of five gynecologic cancers. The UW Paul P. Carbone Cancer Center has approved the information and all proceeds from its sale will go to further aiding in the research of gynecologic cancers. Please consider giving these pamphlets to your friends and family. Together we can hopefully talk, share and save lives! Contact information: Return to MMSD Today |
|
