Daniela with her family
A few years ago my beautiful sister aged 44 was diagnosed with the insidious Ovarian Cancer. She bravely fought the disease and with the help of an amazing team at the Royal Women’s, after 12 months of treatment she went into remission.
A year later, on the eve of a much needed holiday with her husband, she received horrific news that the cancer had come back and she had developed secondarys that needed to be treated. Again the rollercoaster of emotions and treatment began.
My sister is an inspirational woman who would not let anything get in the way of living her life and with an absolutely supportive husband and beautiful daughter she fought on. If this was not bad enough, the week she commenced her second lot of treatment our mother aged 73 at the time, was also diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.
This news absolutely shook the core of my family. Everyone rallied together and watched helplessly as the two most giving and loving people in our family battled against all odds for survival.
My mum and sister are still bravely fighting and every day they live with the knowledge that this is not yet over. It has been an agonising four years now but we wake up every morning feeling blessed that they are with us and hope that our families will be able to share many more years together.
My beautiful daughter, who is extremely close and devoted to both her nonna and her aunt has been there to support them every step of the way. She has researched, read, spoken to people and is now committed to somehow bringing to light awareness for Ovarian Cancer.
She is a regular and keen ‘twitterer’ and writes the most amazingly funny and sometime heart wrenching blogs. One blog, after the sad passing of Jim Stynes, which was also a tribute to her aunt and grandmother was powerful, moving and heartfelt.
I know that as a mother, we always think our children are awesome, but I know I am truly fortunate. In today’s society where our Gen Y’s are touted as being selfish, obnoxious and void of any family tradition, my kids have truly embraced and are proud of our family and traditions. As a very close knit family we are determined to somehow, someday raise not only the much needed funds but also awareness of Ovarian Cancer. I have always been very proud of all my children for who they are, not just for what they achieve, but my daughter’s determination at the moment makes me want to burst with pride. Unfortunately, it is this same determination that makes me cry as I face the dreadful reality that she and the rest of our family with be absolutely devastated if a cure for this cancer is not realised in the near future.
As most of us know Ovarian Cancer is known as the Silent Cancer as it is unspeakably dangerous and the hardest to detect in its early stages. Sadly, only about 19% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed before the cancer has spread outside of the ovaries when the disease is most responsive to treatment. Unfortunately, 77% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage, primarily because symptoms that present in the early stages of the disease are often subtle, misinterpreted, inconsistent or ignored. Even routine pelvic exams are unlikely to detect ovarian cancer when it is most treatable, before it has spread beyond the ovaries.
It is so incredibly important that, until our brilliant team of researchers in Australia find either a cure or a screening test for OC, that we educate our broader community and make every one aware of the symptoms. In Australia alone 3 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer every day. Unfortunately, 2 of those 3 are my world.
So, tell every women you know and tell them to tell everyone women they know, talk to them about the symptoms and what to look for. If you are not sure have a look at the website, familiarise yourself with these symptoms and if you are worried or unsure seek medical advice. PLEASE DON’T LEAVE IT TILL ITS TOO LATE!
The odds of this insidious cancer ever being eradicated may be slim but if we can make sure that someone we love is spared the pain and anguish of living with it, we will have made an enormous impact.
To my Sister Deb and my loving mum…… Where there is LOVE there is HOPE.
Daniela has 4 beautiful and very spirited children aged between 15 and 27, 3 boys and 1 girl. She recently commenced her own business and divides her time between work, kids and her family.
Comments
6 Comments so far
Thank you Mamamia for this important article. As Chair of Ovarian Cancer Australia and one of the very few ovarian cancer survivors it is so important that every woman knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer. There is lots of useful information here http://www.ovariancancer.net.au If you do know someone who has been affected by ovarian cancer we have lots of free support resources and are happy to have a chat anytime. Call 1300 660 334. Your article is timely as today we are running a forum on research – “Our Research – Your Future”. Ovarian Cancer Australia is the only national organisation supporting research right across Australia. Don’t forget to like us on facebook to keep up with important news and events. Thank you!
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Thank you for writing this article. I lost my mother in law 2years ago after 3months of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My own mother also has ovarian cancer, she was diagnosed for the 1st time 5years ago now, she was rediagnosed late last year, given the all clear for Christmas & rediagnosed again in January. She had a emergency surgery 4weeks ago for a hernia amongst it all to have them find a tumor that we didn’t even know about on her bowel. She is fighting & we are all loving & supporting her & pray this next round of chemo finally does its job! I love reading other people’s experiences to remind me I’m not alone in how I feel. Thank you
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So true Renee!!
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I too was diagnosed with ovarian cancer – when I was 28! I had a huge cyst on one of my ovaries that caused so much discomfort, it had to be surgically removed. I was shocked when 10 days later my doctor informed me that the ovary (which was inside the cyst) contained cancer cells.
I was lucky because my cancer was found at an early stage but it was a wake-up call for me. I had hardly heard of the disease before then. I waited 5 years before having my third child in case it came back but by then the research had advanced and at a routine check-up, my doctor told me that the type of cancer that I had was often in both ovaries.
I was told to have a radical hysterectomy when I was finished having my family which I did – and they did find cancer in the second ovary too – once again at such an early stage that no further treatment was needed.
I am grateful for that research as it quite probably saved my life.
I am now 50 and have recently embarked on a vegan diet to lessen my chances of breast cancer as I had to take HRT for many years.
Danielle, I hope your sister and mother have positive outcomes and I wish them well.
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I feel your pain and joy Daniela and thank you to you and mamamia for continuing to raise awareness about OC. My beautiful mum was diagnosed in 2007 and in February this year we ‘celebrated’ the 5 year anniversary of her diagnosis with an afternoon ‘teal’. She has endured over 30 gruelling rounds of chemo and is currently battling the disease for the 5th time in as many years. Despite all this we see each and every day a blessing and continue to hope for a breakthrough in the treatment of patients with this disease. It is ironic to say that she is one of the lucky ones …. But as far as this disease goes … She is. Awareness is the key!
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What a beautiful post. As a four time survivor of cancer (not ovarian though) I too can only echo the importance of research and vigilance in detection.
Daniela, what I DO know is how important the support of family and friends are to those on the rollercoaster and your sister and mother are blessed to have you and your daughter there to support them. Bless you, and may the very best of outcomes be for you and yours.
xx
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