In Love with the World

i have been sick with some kind of nasty stomach bug the last part of this week.

i am completely drained from that, not being able to eat, and taking round #6 of xeloda on a mostly empty, totally sick stomach.

add to that the fact that my jaw is spasming and locking up most painfully, which makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible to eat (or talk). two things i do too much of anyway, but need to do nonetheless!

luckily i got to enjoy easter with my family, a girls' night with vinda, kay & leisha, and steph's royals party before this hit.

it is friday and it is gorgeous outside. i am at work (for now), but all i really want is to go back to bed where i spent most of the day yesterday.

i slept off & on, and read half of a new book (you're right, leisha...depressing/disturbing, but i can't stop reading it even though i really don't even like the main character or the subject matter).

i think that perhaps the side effects of xeloda have finally found me. it is a drug that affects some people right away and others it takes time to accumulate and then affect them. obviously, i am in the latter group, for which i am grateful. i have been able to enjoy the past 4 months without being too sick.

let's just hope that cancer's butt is being kicked as much (if not more) than mine is!

~For Janet~

10/21/76 - 4/16/09

I'm in love with a girl who's in love with the world
And I can't help but follow
Though I know someday she's bound to fly away
and stay over the rainbow
Gotta learn how to let her go
Over the rainbow

Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight ~ Amos Lee

Even in its early stages ovarian cancer has symptoms. Research indicates that 95 percent of women with ovarian cancer had symptoms and 90 percent of women experienced symptoms with early-stage ovarian cancer. Symptoms vary from woman to woman and many times depend on the location of the tumor and its impact on the surrounding organs. Many of the symptoms mimic other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society, with significant support from the Alliance formed a consensus statement on ovarian cancer. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has endorsed the consensus statement, which was announced in June 2007. The statement follows.

Historically ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have shown this term is untrue and that the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.

Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.

Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities. However, these other symptoms are not as useful in identifying ovarian cancer because they are also found in equal frequency in women in the general population who do not have ovarian cancer.

Click on the teal ribbon above or here for more information about Ovarian Cancer.