Very disturbing...

[Caitlin]

I'm done here...but I just found this out and if this can help one person remember, then that's worth it...

My mom just called me and told me that my aunt will go through at least 5 hours of surgery today. For those who don't know, they found a very large tumor that is ovarian cancer on her last week. She is getting infused with red blood cells right now because she's anemic. Yesterday was her test day and what I found so disturbing is that she's 45 and just had her first gyn, first pap, first mammogram. All of those things are preventative tools. I know that I haven't had a pap in 3 years and will schedule one today. When I hit 40 I will get my boob smashed. The reason I wanted to share this is because I wanted you all to remember how important it is to have the preventive things done. ~sighs~ Thanks for listening.

[~Pendragon~]

Thanks for the post...its hard to believe that this still goes on...but alot of us put it off and so on...years pass when they should not...

oh, but was wondering, what do you mean that you are done here?...are you leaving us?

[Caitlin]

Thank you to everyone who sent their positive thoughts and prayers. My aunt had her surgery yesterday. They said it was a unusual kind of cancer with a name so long my mom couldn't write it down. They took a tumor the size of a grapefruit from her. As well as taking both ovaries, her uterus, part of her liver, part of her intestine, they also drained 5 liters of fluid from her abdomen. I guess there is a scale of 1-5 and hers is a 4. I'm still not sure what it all means. I understand the science, but my heart is still numb. She had to get 7 pints of red blood cells because she was so anemic and run down. She will recover in the hospital for a week, then go home for 2, and then she will be going back to the mayo clinic for the beginning of chemo and radiation. Again, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts. This came at a time I was going to step away, but some things are more important...and remembering to take care of the women in our lives and our own lives...is more important.

Sincerely,
Jeri

[Emperor Exusiai]

My Grandmother passed away due to Pancreatic Cancer. I'm glad you are not suffering through a Loss. My Prayers for her Speady Recovery Still travel With you.

[|.. Luna Shae ..|]

I hope that everything goes well Cait.. my thoughts are with you and your family