A step back in time.

 

April 1984

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Mrs. "E"'s life could not be more idyllic. 

Happily married, her firstborn turned out to be twins, a boy, and a girl, a pigeon pair, and six months old at the time.  She was feeling tired for weeks in the end, but she put it down to being exhausted from raising the two little rascals.  Initially on three-hour feeds then turned to four-hour feeds as they grew older.

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Feeling tired and run down most of the time Mrs. "E" decided it's time for some outside assistance from her doctor, perhaps some additional vitamins or even a booster vitamin B6 B12 complex injection would do her the world of good.  The mere idea of not being constantly tired moved her to set up the appointment with her gynaecologist, her six-month checkup was also due now.

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Appointment day arrived, all went well, Mrs. "E" received her well-deserved vitamin injection and the relevant six-month smear was also done and sent off to the lab for testing.  All she had to do now is try and get a little more rest between tending to her household and feeding the two little rascals.  Lab test results will be available in a week but in general, the doctor was happy with her health.

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Four days after her doctor's visit, not even a week, four days, the phone call came through, the doctor would like to see her, lab test results are in and need to be discussed.  Mrs. "E" was offered an appointment the following day with her gynaecologist.

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Upon arrival and a short discussion of the lab results Mrs. "E" was informed she has  

Stage 1B  Ovarian Cancer.  The cancer is in both ovaries or fallopian tubes but not on their outer surfaces. No cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings from the abdomen and pelvis (T1b). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0).

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Mrs. "E" understood and accepted the prognosis as well as the options offered to her on relevant treatment, however, she insisted to consult with alternative gynaecologists to obtain a second and third opinion before finalizing her decision.  She made appointments in Johannesburg one of which was a lifelong family gynaecologist and the other through well-perceived references from personal friends.  The prognosis, in the end, was the same.  Have a full hysterectomy.

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Mrs. "E" went home, met with her gynaecologist and a hysterectomy was confirmed to be carried out.  Mrs. "E" however was adamant no matter the outcome thereafter she will not opt for Chemo, never.  

Mrs. "E"'s operation was carried out successfully, her recovery was uneventful.  To this day Mrs. "E" is a healthy woman and religiously has her yearly checkup.

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The message is plain and simple,  Cancer is not a death sentence by far.  Women of all ages should have their yearly checkups done on time, when Cancer is detected in the early stage you have a life ahead of you providing the right decisions are made.

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Mrs. "E" has beaten Ovarian Cancer, those two small six-month-old children had the joy of their mother every day of their lives, all grown up now.  If Mrs. "E" could beat Ovarian Cancer at a time when medical technology was not as developed as today then you can do it too.

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Don't ever despair, Ovarian Cancer can be beaten!

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