Our Teal Sisters

Have you ever had to delete a contact from your email contact list because that person had died?

I have recently deleted 2 contact names in the last 2 months.  We lost 2 lovely women in our community.  I knew them as people with generous hearts and courage.  I heard their stories and felt badly when there was no longer any more treatments for them.

This is what many of us fear the most.  These are the clouds that hang over our heads but we must look forward and live life.  I don't believe that dwelling on the worst is good for the soul or body.  So this is why we must keep our faces to the sun so we cannot see the shadows.

Barter

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.

Sara Teasdale

Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/barter-by-sara-teasdale#ixzz3m0EG8zCI
Family Friend Poems 

Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope 2015

This year's Walk was a great success! As a team we raised about $6,000 and our district raised in excess of $83,000.00

It was a cool overcast day but that did not dampen our spirits!

My lovely nieces

The crew milling around after Walk

Katherine and David

That's me giving a short talk before the Walk

I get to cut the ribbon before Walk

A Late Summer Knight's Dream team

Here is a copy of my talk:

• Welcome everyone and thank you for coming!  This includes all Teal Sisters and anyone else living with cancer,  your family and friends and all your other caregivers.  As a person living with ovarian cancer I want to honour the presence of all our caregivers.  They remind us that life is for living.  I also want to thank my family and friends that are a part of my Team today!  I especially want to thank my husband David and my kids Corina and Dylan.  They are my rocks. 
• I was diagnosed in September 2010 after having subtle symptoms in my abdomen for about a month such as indigestion, bloating, difficulty eating and changes in urinary habits.  Within weeks I started swelling in the belly area with fluid until I appeared to be 9 months pregnant.  I had no idea what was happening.......After a series of tests I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and things happened very quickly.  I started chemo on September 30th, 2010.   Once treatment ended I enjoy a remission of about 15 months but lived with anxiety that it would return and it did.  This disease unfortunately returns for many women and today I am living with Ovarian Cancer.  It is difficult to think of myself as a survivor because I think for the general public it has connotations of disease-free existence.   Since June of 2012 I  have had over 40 rounds of various chemo drugs and am currently participating in a clinical trial at Princess Margaret in Toronto.  I am getting good results in that the disease is stable.  So I think of myself as managing the disease as best as I can. 
• I do not describe my relationship with this disease as a 'battle' which many do especially in the media.  This is not a 'battle' whereby I have weapons to defend myself and therefore have a choice on outcome.  I do not.  I rely on solid research and modern science.   I try to keep up to date with cutting edge research which I can take advantage of and believe me I question everything and insist on knowing everything I can.  I truly have a relationship with my research team of gynecologic oncologists and clinical nurses which is integrated and in partnership.  This is the only way in my mind.  These people are the ones battling cancer by trying to find  treatments and ultimately a cure.  These are the people I rely on! 
• Life changes with a diagnoses with Cancer.  For me my world suddenly became a lot smaller.  Anything outside of my family and close friends is not very important.  The past is yesterday and does not count.  The future is yet to come and we have little control.  But today is for living.  I do not mean that we need to treat every day like it is our last because that would be exhausting.  I enjoy life on my terms and try to keep drama to a minimum.  I take notice of the things that bring me joy and peace everyday.  I try to keep my face to the sun so I cannot see the shadows.  I do not sweat the small stuff as it is really small stuff. 

Remember: 

• There is no screening test and no vaccine for this disease, it’s high time to make a change 
• September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a great time to get our community talking about this disease because all women are at risk. Initiatives are underway to share the facts on ovarian cancer and to demand improved treatments and more research funding. 

• For lots of information about this disease and initiatives go to the Ovarian Cancer Canada website.   

• A great big thank you again for coming today and have a great Walk!