Sisterhood of Survivorship
Sharing, Caring, Surviving
Noreen's Story
Year Diagnosed: 2009
Type of Cancer: Uterine
I had always had irregular periods so when things started getting heavier and duration longer and longer, I really wasn't too concerned. I was good about yearly PAP exams and had just had one in August 2009 which was negative. Two years before during my exam I had been told that "something" was observed on one of my ovaries, but that it was probably a cyst and they would just keep an eye on it... After a vacation which was marred by an extremely abnormal bleeding (even for me), I went to my GYN where she performed an endometrio biopsy... next thing I know they are calling me in for ultrasounds, CT scans, etc. I received the dreaded phone call 27 October 2009 and had surgery on 4 November 2009. I was told afterwards that they were unable to do staging due to complications during surgery, but that I had positive washings which showed that my cancer had clear cell features... chemo, external and internal radiation would be required.
I have to say that I never asked, "Why me?", but I did have to continually remind myself to "just breathe" so that I could get through the next step... Family and friends got me through treatment and many, many prayers. A co-worker made a comment early on in my diagnosis that struck a chord with me and I decided to adopt it as my philosophy though this time in my life... he quoted from a Clint Eastwood movie the Eiger Sanction when they are about to go down the side of a cliff and he is asked if they are going to fall, to which Clint answers "Probably, but we're going to do it with style!" I decided then to get through this with best foot forward (bald head and all) and I wasn't going to just fall to pieces and let myself "fall". So far the plan is working and I'm now in remission... giving thanks for every day that I am blessed with... best foot forward AND just breathe...