Cancer: A Word that Strikes Terror
by Joanie Shawhan
Are there certain words that trigger pressure in your chest
or tightness in your throat?
For me, that word is cancer.
I am an ovarian cancer survivor.
My Story
During the summer of
2006, Every time I had another bout of nausea, I brushed thoughts of ovarian
cancer from my mind. Surely these spells
were too infrequent to be cancer.
But in September, I rolled over in bed and felt a
grapefruit-size mass in my abdomen. I closed my eyes and dismissed the whispers
of ovarian cancer.
Several weeks later, I almost shot off the table when my
physical therapist palpated my spine to isolate the location of my back pain. It’s not in my back, it’s jabbing through my
abdomen!
My gynecologist suspected a uterine fibroid and ordered an
ultrasound. Even in the dark room, I saw the ultrasound tech lock her eyes on
mine. Something is seriously wrong.
Gripping the ultrasound report in her hand, my doctor said,
“You have ovarian cancer, the size of a cantaloupe.” She rattled off all that needed done—scheduling tests and surgery. I barely
heard her words. Was she talking to me?
When I walked into the hospital on surgery day, I exchanged my
scrubs and nurse shoes for tieback gowns and skid-free slipper socks. The
surgeon removed a volleyball-size tumor—ovarian cancer.
Today, I am cancer-free. During my treatment, I lost myself to ovarian cancer, but in losing
myself, I found a new purpose and calling. Today I have an encouragement
ministry to women undergoing chemotherapy. I advocate for and educate women and
healthcare professionals regarding ovarian cancer. I write articles so that
other women won’t put off getting checked out if they have any signs or
symptoms, like I did.
September is National
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all female
cancers. The symptoms women experience prior to diagnosis may be vague
or similar to other diseases. This causes some doctors to rule out other causes
before they discover ovarian cancer,
which is why it is often not diagnosed until later stages.
· Gastrointestinal symptoms:
Bloating, indigestion, nausea, feeling full or loss of appetite
· Pelvic or low back pressure or pain
· Urinating more frequently
· Changes in bowel patterns
· Tired or low energy
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Ovarian cancer used to be called the silent killer, but survival rates are high if discovered in the
early stages. Learn from my story. Will you listen for the whispers of ovarian
cancer?
About the Author
Joanie Shawhan is an ovarian cancer survivor and a
registered nurse. She writes encouraging articles for women undergoing
chemotherapy. Her publishing credits include Coping with Cancer magazine and God Still Meets Needs. She speaks to
medical practitioners in the Survivors Teaching Students program. Check out her
blog at www.joanieshawhan.com.
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