Ovarian Cancer

My Aunt Kathie was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1993. She was 47 years old. I remember going to the hospital and visiting her. I even remember buying a troll nurse doll. I wasn't allowed to see her, but my mom brought me in her room anyway. She had a private room and the nurses were very nice. They give me a surgical mask and scrubs to take home. My aunt was very sick.

My aunt found out about the cancer after taking estrogen. The doctors thought she was going through menopause. She had not been getting her periods. She hadn't been to the doctors in 21 years, since she gave birth to her son. My aunt also smokes. The doctors did no testing and just put her on this medication to regulate her periods. After four months, she did not get her period. She was experiencing severe cramps and bloating. She went to the doctor to get a second opinion. When the doctor examined her he noticed that she had a tumor. The doctor recommended an ultra sound. After going for several test and going to two hospitals. They found out that she had ovarian cancer. The tumor was the size of a grapefruit. My aunt would have to have a complete hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is when they remove all of your reproductive organs. After the operation the doctor said that they had gotten all of the cancer and that she would recover.

After the hysterectomy, my aunt had to go through chemotherapy to make sure that the cancer did not grow back. She went to Staten Island University Hospital cancer unit to have the treatment. She went once a week for six hours. They gave her a chemical known as Taxol or taxane. This is a drug that slow downs cell growth by stopping cell division. Normal cells grow and die in a controlled way. When cancer occurs, cells in the body that are not normal keep dividing and forming more cells without control. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by stopping them from growing or multiplying. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly. Harm to healthy cells is what causes side effects. These cells usually repair themselves after chemotherapy.

After six months of treatment, they said she was free of all the cancer. My aunt at the time did not lose any hair and you wouldn't know by looking at her that she had cancer. She had a very positive attitude and she was very strong. Early detection is the best way to treat cancer fast. She recovered and was in remission for twelve years.

My Aunt did not go for a periodical test and visits to the doctor. She did go to the doctors as often as she should have. She also still smokes. Not as much as she used to, but she still does. Twelve years later, she discovered a lump behind her neck. She had overlooked this lump and thought it was a cyst. This was a tumor on her lymph node and in two other lymph nodes in her body. One on the