IMMMMM BAAAAACKKKKKK!!! and this is long

Well alot has happened since the last time I posted here. I got married on April 26th,2008 YES!! and I am loving it!...I just started taking fertil-aide for women and hubby is taking fertil aide for men and we have our fingers crossed..So baby dust for us please!. on a sadder note my very close aunt died from Ovarian Cancer on June 4th,2008. She originally went to the hospital for a stomach ache on April 4th,2008.

Ovarian Cancer is called the “disease that whispers.With little signs and symptoms diagnosis is almost always in the late stages of the disease, many times too late.My auntwas diagnosed with ovarian cancer on April 25, 2008. After several procedures, numerous tests, a major surgery, one round of chemo, and multiple complications she became completely dependant on a ventilator. She lost her fight on Wednesday June 4, 2008 - exactly 2 months to the day from her initial admission….. For “a stomach ache”. I am determined to increase ovarian cancer awareness. The more we know about this terrible disease, the more likely we are to prevent it.
THE FACTS: In women ages 35-74, ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An estimated 1 in 58 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer society estimates that in 2008 there will be 21,650 new cases of ovarian cancer of which 15,520 will die. If diagnosed and treated early, when only confined to a single ovary, the 5 year survival rate is over 90%. Unfortunately, due to the non-specific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, only 19% are found in this early stage, while 75% are found in advanced stages. Historically, ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of a cure was poor. Recent studies have shown that even in its early stages ovarian cancer has symptoms.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: • Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort; swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness.... • Vague but persistent gas, nausea, indigestion, feeling full quickly; loss of appetite... • Frequency and/or urgency of urination; unexplained changes of bowel habits... • Unexplained weight gain or loss... • Ongoing unusual fatigue... • Menstrual irregularities... • Painful intercourse .

Because these symptoms are so vague, when they persist for more that 2 weeks, are a change from their normal bodies, and do not resolve with normal interventions; it is imperative for a woman to see her doctor. All women are at risk for developing ovarian cancer. While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman’s chance, it does not necessarily mean she will get the'disease.

RISK FACTORS: • **Genetic predisposition **... • **Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer**... • Increasing age... • Undesired infertility... • Ashkenazi Jewish decent .

Accounting for 5-10% with one first degree relative Except in families where the pattern of ovarian, breast, or colon cancers suggest that they are inherited, chances of developing ovarian cancer then may be as high as 45%.
There is currently NO test that that exists for ovarian cancer that can be used on all women to screen for the disease, such as mammograms for breast cancer and Pap test for cervical cancer. It is important to note that Pap tests DO NOT screen for ovarian cancer. To date, 2 main genes for breast and ovarian cancer have been identified: BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. If a woman inherits an alteration, or mutation in one of these genes her chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer are significantly higher than that of the general population. Though presence of this gene mutation does not mean you will develop the disease. Both men and women carry BRCA mutations. The CA-125 blood test can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. However, several other conditions may elevate a woman’s CA-125; and in about 50% of early cases and 20% of advanced cases it is NOT elevated. CA-125 is more accurate in postmenopausal women. Ultrasound and pelvic exams are also very helpful tools in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer..-Early detection of ovarian cancer can save lives. There are 2 main barriers to diagnosis- the lack of an ovarian cancer screening test, and a lack of awareness. Right now the best chance for early detection is to raise awareness about ovarian cancer among women and the health care community. On September 14, 2008 there will be a walk in Morristown, NJ to help support ovarian cancer research and early detection programs. Please join us with your support for “TEAM CARMEN ” as we walk in her honor. Together, we can make a difference.

Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, and NEVER, EVER Giving Up Hope”. -For questions or information about joining “THE TEAM”, please contact us at 4carmen@live.com. For more information, please log onto our sources: The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance at www.ovariancancer.org and The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at www.ovarian.org.

I am so sorry for you loss!! I will keep yourself and your family in my thoughts! I read an article that was going around on the interent, it was saying how women as young as 22 should make their doctors test them for Ovarian Cancer! It's called the CA-125! I am definitely getting it done next time I have my annual done! That's so scary! They don't think that it is nescessary (ob/gyn;s) but they are trying to make it part of your routine Pap screening! It's inexpensive, $75!

Congrats on the Marriage!!!.....Now you have me thinking about ovarian cancer. My great grandma died of it and my mom and grandma are telling me i should go get checked out. I've had some of the symptoms but I had a c-section 4 months ago and with a baby some of the symptoms are usual. Im also only 23 so i didnt think cancer! Hopefully its nothing.... my next pap is in November so ill make sure to ask about getting checked for ovarian cancer! Thanks so much for the info

Im so sorry for your loss. Its very important to increase awareness of such a silent threat...

Congrats on your wedding!!

and of course:

Thats the point... The more women that womenknow about it the better... Because you may not have it but maybe you talking to someone else about ur concerns may spark a fear in them to test and so on and so forth and some where down that line we will save a life....
The more we know about the disease the easier it is to prevent and treat... help spread the awareness.....

HEY!! welcome back! Congrats on getting married!

I am sorry to hear about your aunt, I hate the thought of cancer but we all need to know about it. I hope that one day they can find easy effective ways of finding it early and treating it.

My grandpa is in the hospital right now living out his last days after years of battles with cancer, many many surgeries only to find out that cancer has taken over his body. He has lived a full life and just lost my grandma last year, I think his mind has givin up so so has his body.

sorry little vent there.... I am glad to see you back, you should check out the ttc for over a year sticky! it is finally there!! I lurk around in there  

aww kim sorry to hear about ur grandparents.... you are in my prayers. and yes tthe more people know about the different kinds of cancer out there the more likely we are to prevent,treat and save lives....

Thanks!

Truck loads of baby dust to ya!!! Good luck on the fertil-aide!!

Congrats on your marriage!! I'm sorry about your loss. My mother in law was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Dec 03' and has been fighting it since. She has been doing many experimental treatments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Unfortunately the cancer has now attacked her lungs and the treatments are no long working. She was told on Monday they there was nothing more they can do for her, so now we are preparing for the worst!!

Thank you for bringing attention to this!! We should all be checked for it, just as we are for breast cancer!!

No one knows that more women die from Ovarian Cancer than Breast cancer every year... Ovarian Cancer is one of the more difficult cancers to diagnose and treat in women. 99 % of women don't know about it and doctors DO NOT screen for it unless they are aware of previous family members passing away or being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

The more women know about it the EASIER IT IS TO PREVENT AND SPREAD AWARENESS FOR....
You're very welcome ... I am not only doing this for me I am doing this for my aunt .... and for your family members in the fight of their lives for your mother in law....