Sisterhood of Survivorship
Sharing, Caring, Surviving
Charise T's Story
Year Diagnosed: 2006
Type of Cancer: ovarian
I was on a 7 day cruise in August '06 and noticed that I could not have a bowel movement. It's not unusual for me to not when I'm away from home, but by day 4 I was a little concerned. I took over the counter medicine to no avail. When I got home I made an appointment with my primary physician; she diagnosed me as constipated. She pressed on my belly and said that she felt the stool. Gave me a prescription and sent me on my way. Well, 3 days into the medicine and NOTHING! I went back to see her and at this time I could see & feel my stomach getting larger & tighter (sort of like extremely bloating). She prescribed a stronger medicine and sent me away AGAIN! 3 weeks has passed from the time of the cruise until now and my stomach now looked as if I were about 5 months pregnant. I called her back to tell that this medicine too was not working. Finally she scheduled me for a colonoscopy. It was this doctor that noticed the ascension of my stomach while I laid flat on my back. The colonoscopy turned up nothing, so he recommended that I call my GYN. Needless to say I stayed persistent and was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. When the tumor was removed it weighed around 9 lbs, more than my son! The love and support from my family & friends got me through this horrific time. My advice: be aware of your body, stay persistent and never keep anything of this nature to yourself (the load is too heavy to carry alone!).