 "I had such terrible pain and gastrointestinal problems, and I was
getting sicker and sicker," Recco recalls, describing the time just
before her diagnosis with ovarian cancer in 2005.Doctors thought
it was irritable bowel syndrome, and later, depression. "Then I
found cysts in my abdomen and a biopsy finally uncovered the truth."
She was in shock. Although her mother had survived breast cancer,
she didn't know the first thing about ovarian cancer. With her son
and his family living nearby, she had family to rely on. Still, the
closest hospital -- with its resources and cancer support groups --
was miles away.
Recco decided to search for information on the Internet. That's
how she found a special group of friends who have helped her learn
how to live with cancer. The women, who live all across the U.S and
as far away as Australia, come together through a series of chat
rooms and bulletin boards.
Several of Recco's friends will finally have the chance to meet
each other this weekend. The women will come to Springfield from
several Midwestern states and as far away as New Jersey. While some
individuals in the group will be doing some site-seeing, Friday and
Saturday evenings (about 7 p.m.) and Sunday morning will be time
spent together at the State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St. in
Springfield. Area ovarian cancer survivors who might want to join
them for support and an opportunity to share are invited to stop by
or contact Chris Recco for more information at
chris1@wabash.net. A balloon
release for friends lost to the disease is also planned.
"Since my cancer was diagnosed at Stage 4, there is no cure,"
Recco says. "Without these friendships, I don't know what I would
have done… Whether we log on from Costa Rica or Colorado, we're
there for each other."
One highlight of their time together will be a "Look Good … Feel
Better" session hosted by the American Cancer Society on Saturday at
10 a.m.
Recco says she's enjoyed learning more about the range of patient
services the American Cancer Society provides in Illinois.
"I'm passing the word along to people I meet online," she says.
"No one should face this disease alone. Getting help or having
someone to talk to is a phone call or a few keystrokes away. I'm
glad to know you're there for all of us."
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In the U.S., ovarian cancer is the
eighth most common cancer in women (not counting skin cancer) and
ranks fifth as the cause of death in women. In Illinois,
approximately 950 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed this
year and an estimated 680 women will die of the disease.
While the Pap test helps to find
cervical cancer early, ovarian cancer is harder to detect, and early
cancers may cause symptoms that are somewhat vague or could be
caused by other, less serious, problems. Symptoms might include:
-
Swelling of the
stomach (abdomen) or bloating caused by a buildup of fluid or a
tumor.
-
Pelvic pressure or
stomach pain.
-
Trouble eating or
feeling full quickly.
-
Having to urinate often or feeling like
you have to "go" right away.
If you have symptoms that you can't explain nearly every day for
more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor right away.
Many cancer patients find comfort in reaching out to others who
truly have "been there." Online communities and conversations are
easy to find. Check out the American Cancer Society's Cancer
Survivors Network at www.acscsn.org.
For help dealing with any form of cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345
anytime, day or night or visit
www.cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as
a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and
preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
The Illinois Division has more than 120,000 volunteers and staff
fighting cancer in the state.
[Text from file received from
American Cancer Society]
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