LIFE CHALLENGES
What does every married couple want in life? We wanted happiness, good health, children, good close friends, a secure source of income, a comfortable home, "peace and quiet and a million dollars", as Janet's father used to say, and most importantly, to embrace Christ in every aspect of our daily lives. There have been times of difficulty, as in everyone's life, they're called stumbling blocks. They're put there to keep us alert so we're always aware of how much of a gift our lives are.
It's been over nine years since Janet was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. In fact, it was New Years Eve, 1997, when her doctor informed us of his diagnosis. The new millennium is upon us and we're still here together, a miracle?, a healing?, we'd say so. Not that Janet's surgeon didn't do wonders with the operation, it was what he told David when he came out of the OR, "I could never have hoped for anything better". She had both ovarian and endometrial cancer but the tumors (2) were encapsulated and appeared not to have spread. Her recovery was long and hard but her faith in Jesus Christ was strong, as it's always been known to be. Her chemotherapy, scheduled as six treatments to start, was cut short by two because her WBC count had dropped so dramatically after three treatments. She has since had a consistently low CA125 testing.
She is a "cancer survivor", and is counted among
a growing list of survivors. According to the National Coalition For
Cancer Survivorship, cancer survivors are living longer and coping with their
illness in a variety of ways. The good news is that more than eight
million cancer survivors are living in America today. The bad news is that
many cancer survivors must confront not only their disease, but a confusing
health care system, coupled with discriminating practices and a lack of
knowledge about their rights. The coalition was formed to ensure quality
cancer care for all Americans. Janet and Dave attended a candlelight vigil,
"Rays Of Hope", with thousands of others at the Lincoln Memorial the
end of September of 1999. Janet had previously that same week attended the
2nd Annual Conference of the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance, "Ovarian Cancer: Silent
No More". There is another scheduled vigil, "Rays of Hope",
September 2000, and the 3rd Annual Conference of the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance, check the web site below for dates and particulars.
Janet has actively participated in the Inova Fairfax Hospital Life with Cancer
Program, in their GYN Cancer Group, before moving here to the Shenandoah
Valley. The group meets monthly supporting
each other with discussions, speakers, and prepared talks by the
participants. There is a published newsletter, edited by Cindy Melancon,
of Amarillo, Texas which is available by free subscription or online at
website: http://www.ovarian-news.org
, the address: % Cindy H. Melancon, PO Box 7948, Amarillo,
Texas 79114-7948. The newsletter, published monthly, is named
"CONVERSATIONS! The International Newsletter for Those Fighting
Ovarian Cancer".
Teal is Ovarian Cancer "Survivor's" Color
The year 2011 has brought with it a new "stumbling block" in Janet's path of life. She was diagnosed with a new site of cancer, peritoneal cancer. It is a cancer that was caught in the seeding process in the peritoneal area of the abdominal cavity. She is presently going through a series of six total chemotherapy sessions in Winchester Medical Center, and with the aid of our Lord's love, she will come out of this crisis as she did with the previous cancers.
We are living day to day and looking forward to the future years with great anticipation and excitement, we'll see you there.....