something serious

I know it isn't quite September yet, but what with school starting soon I am going to talk about this now.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and I want to share with you all about my Aunt Judy:

Judy was a wonderful and exasperating woman. My father's only sister, Judy was retarded and had the mental and emotional abilities of an eleven year old. Sometimes it was a very bratty eleven year old. But that was just one of the things that made her her.

She loved her family fiercely. She crotchet many an ugly afghan (including a pink one for Michael, whom I suspect she thought was a girl), was a word search puzzle addict and could recall minute details from events long past. Even events that didn't really happen.

She worked most of her adult life at Goodwill. They treated her well and she was proud of the work she did. Often times she brought us home gifts she found that she knew we would love. Which we didn't, but that was okay. It never failed, if we secretly donated it back to Goodwill she would somehow find it again and give it too us with the proud declaration, "Now you have two!". How can you not love that?

Judy was a proud woman. She lived with my grandparents until the day they died. After that, she insisted on living by herself in the old house. She was a brave woman.

It was the year after 9/11 when things went to hell in a handbasket. That February she was given a clean bill of health at her annual check up. On September 11th she was dead.

Ovarian cancer works fast. She didn't recognize the signs and neither did we. By the time she was obviously sick, it was too late.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, especially, in the early stages. This is partly due to the fact that these two small, almond shaped organs are deep within the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the uterus. These are some of the potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort

· Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion

· Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection

· Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

· Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness

· Ongoing unusual fatigue

· Unexplained changes in bowel habits

If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician.

For more information, go to www.ovarian.org - there is a link over to the right on this blog.