A few weeks ago I had a seizure. I was sitting in my kitchen with my 17 year old son, working on his college applications. The next thing I knew there were strange men trying to kidnap me (paramedics) and, when I was finally full aware, I was sitting in an ambulance on my way … Continue reading The Practice of Medicine
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Capitalism, Cancer and Outrage
This morning my FaceBook feed alerted me to Sephora's new program, designed to benefit cancer patients. During a 6 minute video they show bald, scared, suffering women, getting makeup and skin care tips, then walking through the store being shown products by a Sephora employee. Credits roll. Women rejoice. Wait....... Right after my 1st round … Continue reading Capitalism, Cancer and Outrage
Turn Your Town Teal
#teamtealsix #cancersucks #ovariancancer #sandyrollman #randomactsofteal #tealisthenewpink Purpose What do you do when the shit is all cleaned up? The divorce is final, your body and soul have healed, you're settled into your new home, your new tribe is established? When it's all over, something new sets in. I would describe it as boredom, but it … Continue reading Turn Your Town Teal
Let’s Talk About Your Pelvis
I am an ovarian cancer survivor. I am late stage, which the majority of us are. I wake up every day and remember, in an instant, that I am living with a 85% recurrence rate, that my cancer is viewed as a "chronic" condition, that it is only a matter or time... And I'm mad. … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Your Pelvis
Reluctant Advocate
I've been thinking about how I got involved in ovarian cancer advocacy, and I thought what better place to tell my story. Humiliating as it is! When I finally settled in to the fact that I had advanced stage cancer, requiring major surgery then 6 rounds of brutal chemo, I made a decision: I was … Continue reading Reluctant Advocate
Breaking Up With My Oncologist
I've decided to ditch my oncologist (gyn/oc = gynecological oncologist). The protocol for high grade serous epithelial stage 3B ovarian cancer is 5 years of follow-ups. During those 5 year Dr's are supposed to see you every 3 months, draw a CA125 every 3 months and, if there is a rise in the CA 125 … Continue reading Breaking Up With My Oncologist
Ovarian Cancer
https://www.statnews.com/2016/04/01/ovarian-cancer-failure/ Getting a cancer diagnosis is like being hit by a Mac truck. I got mine while walking my dog, at 4:30 on a lovely July afternoon. At that time I was worried about my 11 year old's baseball game, and my older sons education, when suddenly, BOOM. I had been having stomach pain … Continue reading Ovarian Cancer
Yo Doc – Why You Gotta Be So Rude?
I view Dr’s as better than me, in the sense that they are smarter, more motivated, make more money, have more status, look great in white and, in a curious twist, are fairly good looking. (How is that fair, by the way?) On a human level though, which ultimately we all are, I know they … Continue reading Yo Doc – Why You Gotta Be So Rude?
Groomed but Escaped 