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Sitting in a local restaurant, Will and I received a text message from one of our members that left us feeling shocked. For the 2nd time, we were given the news that yet another one of our church's women had been diagnosed with a woman's cancer-this time ovarian cancer, stage 4. After expressing our concern and support, the person went on to send information about the journey that brought them to this point-multiple doctor's offices, physicians who identified no worries and clean bills of health, then only after additional tests, stage 4 cancer. A devastating diagnosis. We know you want to express your support to this person, but this beautiful person wants us to look beyond their own diagnosis and educate the women in our congregation and our community about a medical test that our doctors can (and should) perform that will help identify when something is very wrong.

Here is a part of what she texted to us:

Donna, seriously I want all the women at the church to know this is basically a hidden disease .  I had three extensive blood tests and passed with flying colors.  I had to have an internal sonogram and a blood tests CA -125 to figure out what was wrong…….3 months and then it took my insurance company three weeks to approve a CT SCAN. You think going for a Pap test and an exam with your gynecologist once a year is enough….you are very wrong.  I never went more than one year and one day!  So please have this conversation with the women you love.  The symptoms I was experiencing were able to be brushed off….change in appetite, bowl habits, fatigue, trouble sleeping…I just sent you an article my sister wrote.  

She also sent an article:

The Ovarian Cancer Signs that are Easy to Brush off

 Please read this and share with your friends.