It takes patience to deal with cancer

I am sitting in the waiting room of a medical facility. Most of us dislike any kind of room where we have to wait, especially if we’re not feeling up to par. But to me, this is a different kind of waiting room. It is located in the cancer center.

I look around in amazement at how many people are registered here; you have to wonder at the number of patients who may be afflicted with this disease called cancer. There are many forms of cancer, and they affect different organs. And everyone’s reaction and experience is not the same. Cancer to me is personal; I have been battling ovarian cancer and its reoccurrence for three years now.

There is a sense about those of us waiting; you can tell the people sitting here have an air of quiet resignation and patience. Inside we are tired, though, tired of infusions, lab tests, CT scans, doctors, statistics and every other probative procedure. It’s not like other places; you wouldn’t have patients with the same disease all relegated to one side of a room.

But here everyone is the same. The playing field is level. Even though there is a look of acceptance at our lot in life, this waiting room also represents hope. There is the hope that something is around the corner in the future to help fight whatever disease rears its ugly head. There is hope that when you participate in the protocol and treatment plan the doctor has secured for you, it will work. And in my case, right now, this minute, I am in remission. I find it easier to deal with cancer in the present. Cancer likes to hide, so just when you think you are free and clear, the other shoe drops.

The American Cancer Society lists for the year 2015 say about 22,000 women will be newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The statistics from the society cite the fact that this disease usually strikes older women. About half the women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer are 63 years or older. Sadly, they list close to 14,000 women who will succumb to this disease.

Don’t let this cancer fool you, either. In my case, I had no history of cancer in my family, and genetic tests reveal no component to genetics as identified with this cancer. I had regular checkups. I also had no symptoms; this is typical as cancer likes to be quiet, so it can busily divide and multiply.

Just a brief description for your review.

Ovarian cancer is unique to the female population, since it forms in the ovaries. The ovaries are reproductive glands found on either side of the uterus. They produce eggs and are also the main source of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

According to the American Cancer Society, most tumors of the ovary are benign.

They are treated by removing the ovary or part of the ovary affected.

Malignant tumors, however, may spread the cancer to other parts of the body.

Since there is no definitive test for ovarian cancer, a woman has to be diligent about changes in her body or well-being.

This unfortunately consists of a variety of symptoms that may also mimic many other conditions. So visits with your primary physician and gyn checkups are important.

Ovarian cancer strikes at women, the very fabric of our society. And at a time when a woman should be enjoying her grandchildren, traveling or retiring from her jobs, this ugly disease will rear up, for it has been waiting.

So live your life today; don’t put off the things you’ve wanted to do. And most importantly of all, have the hope and attitude that new treatments and tests are waiting around the corner. Dealing with ovarian cancer takes patience, something we women know a lot about.