Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Ovarian Cancer Why's and Maybe Some Answers

After my post yesterday there were a lot of why's. I certainly do not have all of the answers, no where near it, but I am involved with a couple of advocacy groups trying to help prevent this from happening to anyone else. Katie Couric did a report on this last Friday, she also blogged about it, you can find more information here.

As I hear of anything more, I will pass it along. The most important thing you can do is be aware of the symptoms which are
These may all seem like things that happen when we are about to have that time of the month, but we all know our bodies better than anyone else, and remember, if it is detected early, your chances of survival are so much better.

There is a test CA 125 that can be done, it is a blood test and is not 100% accurate and there are a ton of false/positives but at least ask for it if you think that you may be experiencing the symptoms. It is also hereditary. If you know of anyone in your family who has had Ovarian Cancer or passed away from it, one I am sorry, but two, you are at greater risk.

I lost a great friend and a wonderful woman a little over a year ago to Ovarian Cancer. She always made me feel so special and wonderful and I hope that I returned some of that. She was misdiagnosed for over 4 years and when she was finally diagnosed she was already stage IV. She went on to do great things for women, and for women with Ovarian Cancer over the next four years but she is greatly missed but lives on in my heart and my thoughts. This is a little about her, I could never give you more than a glimpse though, because she was that special of a person.
Lorraine "Raine" Snyder

Snyder, Lorraine "Raine" age 56, Eden Prairie, MN, passed away peacefully May 4, 2006, finally running out of time in her fight with ovarian cancer, which had been diagnosed in 2003. Survived by husband and soul mate, Robert ("Tripp") Snyder; son and the pride and joy of her life, Brody Felchle and special friend Heather Gaus, Chicago, IL; step-son, Sean (Karie) Snyder and grandchildren, Jasmine and Taran, Denver, CO; parents, Hilbert and Jordis Baumgarten, Durbin, North Dakota; sisters, Lynette (Gary) Nieuwsma, Bemidji, MN; Cheryl (Randall) Naze, Minot, ND; brother, Rolland (Tama) Baumgarten, Belfield, ND; six nieces and nephews including godson, Douglas Naze; former spouse, Brody's father Mitch (Dawn) Felchle; many beloved friends and many ovarian cancer survivor buddies; and special healing companion, Bailey. Born Lorraine Kay Baumgarten, July 24, 1949, in Fargo, ND. Raine taught us volumes about the will to live and she did so with grace, humor, faith, and dignity. The challenge of ovarian cancer was formidable and yet it never, ever defined her, muted her spirit or squelched her ability to move with generosity, commitment, wisdom or authenticity. Her unwavering goal was to bring the awareness of ovarian cancer "front and center" so that fellow travelers would not be in isolation, so that physicians acted with mindfulness and humanity in treating patients, and so that each and every woman might have access to the best medical care possible. She was a visible and valued participant in MOCA, an articulate spokesperson and a caring friend. Relations were the centerpiece of Raine's life. She treasured Tripp, Brody, Bailey and her ever broadening circle of family and friends. She leaves a very rich legacy of great love, values, dreams, memories and reminders to hold on to possibility. Sometimes, in illness, people turn inward, worlds become smaller and hopes shrink. Not so with Raine! That which ultimately took her body never took her LIFE or her SPIRIT! Raine loved the clients of her business, Human Resource Strategic Partners. She was an active member of Human Resource Professionals of MN and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), which honored her with the "Wise Woman Award" just prior to her cancer diagnosis in 2003. Raine's life was enriched by her membership in the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA), serving on its Board of Directors, and by her sister survivors. She was proud to direct an education/awareness program through MOCA at the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Mayo Clinic; and to raise funds for research and earlier detection in the MOCA "Silent No More Walk/Run" "The women of teal are women of steel." Thank you to Dr. Matthew Boente and his dedicated staff of angels at MOHPA for their compassion, encour- agement, and the best medical care. Visitation at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road (1 blk No. of Hwy 5), Eden Prairie, from 4-7 PM Sunday, May 7. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 8 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, (1 mile West of 494 along State Hwy 5), Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Memorials requested to the Raine Synder Fund for MOCA, in the care of Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, 3751 Alabama Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. (952-890-8775).

2 comments:

Libby said...

Thank you for this information, Jilly. Awareness is everything, no?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the awareness, I had no clue they did not test for this!

 
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