Tag: #ovarian

BODACIOUS

karenringalls10 Comments

Bodacious is a new word that was developed in the 1980s. It combines bold and audacious according to Urban Dictionary. We all know that bold means bravery and daring. To be audacious can also mean the same as bold, daring, fearless, and heroic; or it can mean impudence or impertinence (but those words are too negative for this writer).

I think of the many women and men I have met who will not let cancer defeat them. One often hears or reads about cancer patients discussing how they will fight. Whatever illness one faces, it requires bravery, daring, boldness, and hope. No good boxer enters the ring without hope.

Judi Feldman was a bodacious woman in all the kindest, gentlest, and loving ways there are. Her winning smile and sparkling eyes were the results of her positive outlook, love of people, determination, and passion to let every woman know about ovarian cancer. She worked tirelessly to shine the light on the need for more research and awareness of all gynecologic cancers.

Be bodacious as you walk your path in life. Be brave, awesome, and hopeful. Let’s all shine the light!

WORLD CANCER DAY

karenringalls17 Comments

What is cancer? Why does the word cause such fear? Why have a day of recognition for it?

A LITTLE HISTORY:

Cancer was named after the crab because the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer called to mind the shape of a crab. The Latin word for crab is cancer.

Galen (130-200 AD)used the term oncos (Greek for swelling) to describe tumors. Oncos is the root word for oncology.

During World War II, those soldiers exposed to mustard gas developed toxic bone marrow suppression. Chemical nitrogen mustard was found to work against a cancer of the lymph nodes called lymphoma. This laid foundation for several new drugs that could be used against cancers.

The later part of the 20th century also saw the development of targeted therapies like Herceptin.

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cancer-History.aspx

IS CANCER CURABLE?

Cancer is viewed as an enemy and the fear is that there is no cure. Physicians use the term remission to describe when there is no evidence of disease for 5 years.

In March of this year, I will celebrate my 5th year and be considered to be in remission. I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. It has recurred twice. I’ve had chemotherapy and radiation treatments in addition to two surgeries.

As each of us cancer warriors completes our final round of chemotherapy, we ring a bell. The staff stands around applauding our victory.

Let the bells ring around the world today for all the cancer survivors. 16.9 million cancer survivors are alive in the US today out of a population of 332,915,073. Heart disease was the leading cause of death https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254560/leading-causes-of-death-in-the-us-average-number-daily/

Some inspiring words of wisdom :

“Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.”
— Kia Wynn, oral cancer survivor

“There’s always hope beyond what you see.”
— Cora Connor, kidney cancer caregiver

“It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again.”
— Erika Evans, leukemia survivor

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”
— Leslie Medley-Russell, ovarian cancer survivor

In celebrating World Cancer Day, receive a signed copy of my book Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir for just $5.00. Send me a message with your information to kareningalls1941@gmail.com. (All proceeds go to gynecologic cancer research)

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