a snapshot of my teal Tweets
Who knew a color could be so significant? This week, I found myself giving teal shout-outs on Facebook and updating my Twitter status with all sorts of teal references. I even got my nails painted “teal the cows come home” blue.
Never before has a singular shade figured this prominently in my life, but I guess that makes sense. Teal is the official ovarian cancer color, which really didn’t mean much to me until last year. My how things have changed. Now, it’s the holiest hue around.
This month, teal is especially important. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time when survivors and our advocates unite to educate people about the disease.
Recognizing the symptoms is undoubtedly the most important factor. Ovarian cancer was once thought to be asymptomatic, but it turns out that most women experience bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly. The catch, though, is that by the time a woman recognizes the symptoms, the disease has likely spread or reached its later stages.
To date, there is no definitive screening test. And the five-year survival rate, a paltry 47 percent, has not changed much over the last 40 years. But if caught early, it increases to about 90 percent. Clearly, detection is critical. So is knowing your family history.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition have been dedicated to getting the word out. More recently, L’Oreal launched its Color of Hope campaign to promote awareness.
My own calendar is filling up quickly with color-themed events. I’m kicking it off next week at the T.E.A.L. Walk in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, and I’m proud to say that I’m walking as part of Team Slayer. Afterward, we’re all heading to my place for a round of tealtinis, my new favorite drink.
Teal has now replaced gold as my favorite color.
And I look so darn good in it, too!
Rock on, gyrl, and enjoy the holiday.
Much love.
Good Morning, I had the pleasure of reading your amazing story in the latest issue of Black Enterprise. It was very fascinating to me because as a major in Sociology and a Public Speaker, I often times run into women who settle for what they get. As a matter of fact I begin my seminar tours on that very subject: “You are not a Settlement” on November 5.
I would love to share your thoughts of why you did not settle for minute answers that the doctors gave you and why you didn’t settle even after you found out the source of your side affects. Not to sadden your day or anything, but honestly your story brought tears to my eyes and I felt your experience. To me that was amazing. So I am sure if I experienced these feelings, many other women who may be going through a similar situation or settling for something else in their lives will too find your story amazing and let your experience help guide them out of their settlement with life.
I would love to send you the information regarding the seminar, if this is something you would like to have an input in, please let me know your requests. Thanks.
Melissa Russell
Social Diary Seminars
(205) 523-3499
Hey Chana!
Yes ma’m I’m wearing teal today to represent ovarian cancer awareness. Wish I could be in New York to walk with Team Slayer and have a tealtini; but I’ll be there in spirit.
Keep spreading the word and your story. You are an inspiration!
Thanks for adding the feed, Chana, or I would have missed this post. Blessings to you.
Daree
I was waiting for my car to be fixed when I picked up the September issue of Black Enterprise magazine.
When reading your story, I felt like I was reliving the experience of my daughter’s ovarian diagnosis at age 19. The similarities are amazing. Marita’s oncologist determined that her symptoms could have been easily diagnosed by her GYN over a year before she was properly diagnosed (her gyn also went on vacation after determining that a melon size cyst was probably benign)
http://ourfamily4life.com/marita.html
After diagnosis and surgery, Marita was devastated when told to quit college and work while being treated. I wouldn’t let her … that was the best treatment per her support group (afterwards the oncologist agreed).
Marita is the only Black in the “Today’s Faces Of Gilda Club”. An organization that brings awareness to the fact that there are no ‘typical stats’ for cancer. She participates in many fundraising events including running a half marathon.
http://www.firstgiving.com/maritagarrett
http://www.gildasclubwesternpa.org/todaysfaces.asp
Thank you for sharing your story,
Beverly Garrett
My mom, Beverly, told me about your article and I was able to read it online….wow, talk about deja vu! Reading it made me think about my experience, as well as the many other survivors/patients whose stories I have heard…the signs are all there, but it seems no one listens until it’s too late. Makes sense why they call it the “Silent Killer”!
Like many people, when I was told I had cancer, I immediately thought death and “how long do I have to live”. Now my goal is to have people think the opposite when they think of cancer…I want people to think life and live it to the fullest. Cancer does not end life and it does not determine who a person is. Along with being a cancer survivor, I am a graduate student, research coordinator, daughter, friend, and numerous other titles.
As a survivior though, I feel it is my human duty to inform and make people aware about ovarian cancer. Whether it be fundraising, walking marathons, being a vessel of support for someone, I feel is it necessary to make people as aware of ovarian cancer as breast or lung cancer. Like you, I love and embrace the color teal and am ready to share my experience with anyone who is willing to listen.
Even though, being a survivor is not all that I am, it definitely is a big part of who I am. I actually have an ovarian cancer ribbon tattooed on my right foot (email for a pic
) with my diagnosis date underneath it. Everytime someone sees it and asks about it, it gives me a chance to tell and share my story.
Much Teal Love.
-Marita Garrett
Very proud of you and what you are doing…keep up the great job!!!!
Also please check me out go to millsconnectionllc.com click on episode 1 wait for loading and enjoy my show…please help me also to spread the word about The Mills Connection Show !!
God bless you…
Carla Mills
404-246-7343
Hello Chana,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
I picked up the latest issue of Black Enterprise for another article that captured my attention on the cover. While looking through the magazine I saw your article on Ovarian Cancer. My attention was immediately peaked because I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in April 2009. I was at stage 3.
I am a 63 year old African American (I was 62 when diagnosed) who has been healthy all of my life. I have not had any major health issues. So you can imagine that I was floored when I was told that I had Ovarian Cancer.
As I read your article, it was like reading about myself. Everything you said about your symptoms was my experience also. Since I had such limited knowledge about Ovarian Cancer at the time, I did not know to ask my doctor about it or to ask for the CA-125 blood test. I began seeing my doctor in February 2009 changes in my eating and bowel. Like you I was treated for gastrointestinal issues. In hind site the first symptom I recall was in my eating (feeling full quickly) in November 2008.
I completed my chemo treatment on Sept 3, 2009. I am waiting for the results of the CT scan, which was taken on Sept. 17. I pray that I am cancer free now and can begin to return to a more normal life style.
Thank you for your article. It is very informative and will no doubt help many women. I
Hello Chana,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
I picked up the latest issue of Black Enterprise for another article that captured my attention on the cover. While looking through the magazine I saw your article on Ovarian Cancer. My attention was immediately peaked because I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in April 2009. I was at stage 3.
I am a 63 year old African American (I was 62 when diagnosed) who has been healthy all of my life. I have not had any major health issues. So you can imagine how shocked I was when I was told that I had Ovarian Cancer.
As I read your article, it was like reading about myself. Everything you said about your symptoms was my experience also. Since I had such limited knowledge about Ovarian Cancer at the time, I did not know to ask my doctor about it or to ask for the CA-125 blood test. I began seeing my doctor in February 2009 because of changes in my eating and bowel. Like you, I was treated for gastrointestinal issues. In hind site the first symptom I recall was in my eating (feeling full quickly) in November 2008. By early April 2009 my stomach was so extended and my symptoms so severe that I went to emergency. While in emergency 7.5 liters of fluid was drained from my stomach. The ER attending doctor told me that Ovarian Cancer or another type of cancer maybe the reason for the fluid build-up. She was the second doctor within that week that had mentioned the possibility of Ovarian Cancer, but the CA-125 test was not done until I was admitted to the hospital the night I went to the emergency room.
I had surgery in May and completed my chemo treatments on Sept 3, 2009. I am waiting for the results of the CT scan, which was taken on Sept. 17. I pray that I am cancer free now and can begin to return to a more normal life style.
Thank you so much for your article. It is very informative and will no doubt help many women. I do plan to get involved the push for routine screening and early detection. I will also share information with as many people as possible.
Thank you again and keep up the good work of educating people about this extremely important topic.
Sincerely,
Jane, a survivor thus far.
Thanks alot – your answer solved all my problems after several days stugrglnig
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