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Ovarian cancer: battling the uninvited guestSeptember is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a disease that touches more than 20,000 women each year, including some of CNN’s own. Karen Bonsignore, executive producer of CNN Entertainment News, got her diagnosis in May. Every Friday this month, she’ll share parts of her personal journey. By Karen Bonsignore My cancer was found accidentally. I was one of the lucky ones. It was while being treated for a blood disorder that I learned that I had cysts on both of my ovaries. After numerous tests and scans, my doctors believed that they were benign but nevertheless needed to be removed. I went into the hospital in late May believing that I was cancer-free. Since I was past my child-bearing years, I planned to have a hysterectomy as a precaution. I knew, however, that nothing was 100 percent certain until the doctors actually took a look. 
Karen Bonsignore before and after chemotherapy  My surgeon came to my bedside the night following my surgery and asked if anyone had talked to me yet. My family and friends knew what had been found during my surgery but felt the news was better coming from him. When the doctor took my hand, the world stopped. I’d never felt such sheer terror as in the moment before he spoke. I had ovarian cancer, he said gently. I gasped, and in the second before he spoke again, I panicked: I knew that most ovarian cancer is found in advanced stages, when the chance of long-term survival is much less. He continued: My cancer was stage IIc: present in both ovaries, on the pelvic wall, and in the abdominal fluid, but not detected in my lymph nodes. My survival chances were considerably better than if found later. I was so relieved, so incredibly grateful, and I prayed incessantly for several days that I would be healthy. In the weeks after my surgery it was difficult for me to accept the diagnosis. In a matter of a few hours I had gone from believing I was cancer free, to having cancer and then having it all removed. A cancer diagnosis was inconceivable to me. I struggled to understand what part in my life it played. I didn’t even know how to refer to it: Was it correct to say “I have cancer” or “I had cancer”? How did I suddenly become a cancer survivor? Cancer for me was like hosting an uninvited guest who has overstayed his welcome the moment he arrived. Although intellectually I knew that there are no guarantees, it was the first time I ever questioned whether I’d live to see my son get married or my grandchildren be born. The presence of cancer brought so many uncertainties to bear: Would I ever be truly healthy again? Would I be able to work? How else would my life change? I was at the beginning of the process and I was looking down a very long road to an undetermined destination. Have you fought ovarian cancer? What did you learn from it? Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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i enjoyed this article because i know someone who encountered cancer. this person is my mother, she suffered from lukemia cance. As i look at karen's picture it reminds me of how my mother went through her treatments, lost her hair, and loss weight. this is very inspiring to people who have and don't have cancer to let them know that just because you have cancer you cannot fight it. for those who don't have are eligable to encourage someone else to get though it. There are many cures to survive because this is a very seriouus illness to have.
Dear Karen,
How wonderful of you to share your story and create awareness! I have had 4 bouts of ovarian cancer – 1989, 1993, 1996, 2006. I have survived because I BELIEVE. For me, cancer is not about battling and fighting but rather it's all about believing ... believing in the wonderful team of doctors and nurses that you have, believing in the miracle of chemotherapy that cures you, believing in yourself. Your story is compelling and you are helping so many women. Thank you again! Please do me a favor: listen with all your heart to track #11 on the Bon Jovi CD "Lost HIghway" ... the song is called "One Step Closer" and I promise you that it will inspire you to have your arms open wide each and every day to receive and believe, and with each day you are one step closer to "getting out of that chemo room" and into full remission! Sending you lots of love and healing energy, Suzanne
Dear Karen, funny how you posted the Before and after photos! I just privately took my own portrait of how I currently look battling ovarian cancer stage3 B too! I felt as though this is just a bad dream. I wanted to know the path I have been walking including surgeries, infections, chemo, and the path of Love shown by all my friends, family, and neighbors. I found my cancer at a pilates class when I was laying on the floor performing abdominal exxercises...Three days later I was scheduled for surgery . My Chemo is tolerable , but I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I have completed chemo through the halfway point and am feeling like a survivor. My battle has shown me that cancer isn't going to get me right now. Awareness of this disease is first and foremost for all women....Thank you for your openness and Bald women are pretty sexy ...don't you think?
(at least thats what I tell myself these days!)
Brilliant work guys, nicely doneI Enjoyed It Very Much
The sisterhood of ovarian cancer survivors has many faces. A symbol of strength love and hope as hands and hearts join this circle of friends.The heartsongs of life echo around the world as we remember the fallen heros of this battle.So many earth angels work long difficult hours in search of the gift of life for women they will never know. More years have passed than one could imagine since this silent killer first ended a life. Treatment has advanced much slower than the ability we have to put a man into space. The need is more funding for medical research for a test for early detection. Improve treatment and save more lives every year. You have a voice to be heard use it for you might just save a life. I too am a member of the sisterhood of survivors for December 2007 my journey began. We know the drill on the chemo for that powerful army went to war to save my life. Etched in our mind is the fear of return and reading the shared stories has allowed me comfort and for that I thank you. We must vow to look far into the future of old age and thank God we made it!
Reading this web site I see my last entry has not been joined by new diagnoised or treated patients. My battle began December 2007 with surgery debulking chemo four days post op. Heart attack and wound infection prevented intrapertional chemo and systemic therapy completed april 2008. Ca125 level were over 400 to start dropped to 189 in january 2008. From that point on bottomed out 4.5-5.6 until therapy completed.Remained well within normal limits until January 2009 ca125 109.Ct of abdomen and pelvis is normal no tumor growth present. Now this is the part hard to understand is the waiting game you get to play just as your life is beginning to become somewhat normal. The game much like checkers or chess only the one to lose in the long run gets to be you. All the medical information I can read informs me of what mice and cell study inlabs are able to do and how dormant and active cancer cells die in a lab but just can't quite kill the monsters killing women. When I read this web site I feel encouraged in some ways and disgusted in others. No matter how you paint the picture your survival satistics just don't increase. Is ovarian cancer whispered amid the public awareness knowledge for I hear or see little of the losing battle of those stricken. The treatment of Hiv virus has far excelled the treatment of ovarian cancer and patients live far longer. Pray for my journey and maybe no new cases of the silent killer this year wouldn't that be great.
It is now March 2009 and the beat goes on for seems I'm the only one left. September is Ovarian cancer awareness month ?Well seems to me those that cry the loudest get heard the most so get off your duff and let your voice be loud and clear. Contact your elected officials to request more to be done to save lives. Numbers you see it's all about numbers and money.Guess you didn't know less money for ovarian cancer research due to less of the population with it! Now if that's not a kick in the teeth for those of us on the sick end of the stick. When you ask about a vaccine that has been in research for 5 years no answers on the data. Nothing is out there to have many plan B's. So let your voice sing above the top of the list for the dollars .Make yourself known and help save your own life!!!!
I have ovarian cancer when I first found out that I had ovarian was when I was in the middle of my extermship. I would be so tired I would have to set down to rest. I could not get into my van . Because my belly would be so big it would hit the steringwheel. so I went back home to chicago to get the treatment done there. and the doctor ran test on me and they gave me surgery. and they drain seven quarts of fulid out of me. and the doctor remove my overy. The thing is that I stop going back to the doctors. Because I can't afford the bills that I'm getting every month. The bill is killing me more then my cancer is killing me. because i'm worrying about the medical bills more then I'm worrying about my cancer. If anyone want to help me live a please. Donate me some money to help me with my medical bills. So that I can finish up my medical treatment.
To Eunice I encourage you to return t o a doctor or clinic for evaluation. Upon a visit to your doctor for follow up he will send you for test. Apply for indigent care if you are uninsured then go to the social security administratiomface to face or on line. Your medical records and information from your doctor will be requested. You have to step up to the plate so to speak take some control of your destination. When one door is closed another will be opened! Go to your local health dept for a physical as income based fees are charged and your services won't be denied. Labs can be drawn at some public health dept. at reduced rates. Walk forward in this life to seek the proper care. Your doctor may have a case worker to guide and assist you on your journey. Determination of your own can play a roll in the road to success. If you receive a denial for social security take the refusal letter and unpaid medical bills you currently have to family and children's services. There may still be a program to assist in the payment of the medical bills. Be assertive in you journey pack anger in your pocket for respect of those you seek are there to help you if they can. Get on your journey for life for the harder you fight for life the stronger you may become. I too am a fighter of this thief in the night and will make my voice loud and clear for more funding for research. Ovarian cancer funding falls far below breast cancer for the numbers .It's all about numbers and we are not first on the list. Write your legislature and fight for your life. So get started!!!!
I have returned to this comment section to see if more have written to vent their frustrations, fears and concerns. May of this year I again started chemotherapy for the monster just seems to sneak back to destroy my body. I have been on a mission since 12/07 to continue to fight and make good use of time for the awareness and struggles of each ovarian cancer survivor.Tto never allow the lost battles to be slient. I continue to find the disappointments of research and no success stories to fill the news media or claim of the magic cure. The health care issues of today make me more frightended for one day the board of medical advisors with this new health plan before congress may decide I've had my quota of chemotherapy. Call your Senators to voice a No to national health care programs as I am sending mine. Hang on all you out there make everyday a good day as the true gift is life. I just plan to keep fighting the silent killer until I win the war. Find laughter to fill your sadness and solice to fill your soul!!!!
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