OT, but could be OT (ON TOPIC) - Mom gone 14 years ago

14 years ago my Mom lost her battle to cancer. She passed away of cervical and ovarian cancer. I can remember 18 years prior to her passing, she and her (our) Cousin were talking in my dining room and my Mom mentioning to her how she “wasn’t feeling right down there". Cousin Carol asked my Mom if she has gone to the Doctor to check it out, and my Mom’s reply was “Oh No. I don’t want to hear the “C" word" (for you young ones, the “C" word isn’t what you think – it’s means CANCER).

Well my Mom ignored all the signs. Fast forward about 15-16 years later, and one day I found my Mom “sleeping" in bed, very weak (not like my Mom). For some reason I pulled back the covers to her bed only to find her sleeping in a pool of blood from “the lower area". Of course she was rushed to the Hospital, test were taken – and it was discovered she had cancer of the cervix and uterus. They operated, they said they “got it all out" and she recovered. A year later she relapsed, and for 2 years she was on/off drugs and eventually chemo. The cancer finally took her life. She was 54. The Doctor told her (and us) that if she had come in 18 years sooner there is a very good chance she could have beaten this and lived longer. As a result, my Mom never got to meet her only Grandchild. And the death of my Mom hit my Dad so hard it eventually killed him too.

Now why am I posting this on a Weight Loss Forum? Not because I want you to feel sorry, or send condolences but to remind you of a few things:

(01) If you don’t feel well, GO SEE A DOCTOR!! I know, we’re all scared what the Doctor may say but early diagnosis is the KEY to BEATING a disease.

(02) IGNORING IS IGNORANT.  Your body is your best friend. IT won’t lie to you. It will tell you when something isn’t right. Don’t be an ostrich and stick your head in the sand. Listen to your body. Remember, everything in life can be replaced – except YOUR OWN HEALTH/LIFE!!

(03) NO ONE HAD CONTROL OVER YOUR BODY BUT YOU!! Many here state that their family member is “not on board" with their decision. WELL GUESS WHAT – only YOU have final say over your own health. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING ALIVE.

(04) DEATH IS FINAL – Yes going and having an operation may cause you to be temporarily incapacitated, and it may put a temporary strain on your family. When you’re dead, the strain and pain on the family is much greater.

If you’d like to honor my Mom’s life, please learn from her mistake, get healthy, and pass this along to anyone you think who will benefit from it. And if you do, tell them it’s a present of love and concern from you, and Margie (my Mom’s name).

My mom too ignored some very serious signs (blacking out) that her blood pressure was through the roof.  Of course a stroke followed.  She was paralized on her left side for the remainder of her life (23 years).   We lost her this past January.  It was very difficul****ching her suffer for all those years. 

Tom - so sorry for your loss.  I believe my grandmother died the same way.  She didn't feel good and refused to go to the doctor.  She died when I was little.  I was lucky!  My mom was told for several years she needed a hysterectomy but she refused.  Finally she was having severe pain in her abdomin so she went for a ct scan.  They found a huge mass that they thought was a fibroid.  She went to a new ob/gyn and he recommended a complete hysterectomy.  Well once he opened her up he realized it was an ovarian cyst just about the size of a cantalope - luckily it was Stage I Ovarian cancer.  She did 4 rounds of chemo as a precaution and is now cancer free.  Now my sisters and I make sure to get check ups every year.  If only one person hears this and goes to the doctor it is worth it!

hey tom

so sorry about the loss of your mom, and yes all of us girls and guys alike,
need to check out things that dont feel right, or look right.

cancer today can be taken care of for many of us if caught early on.

everyone should be aware and god bless your mom, Margie

hugs, jacki

Tom,
  I have not been on this board for a while now.  Don't know why I am here tonight. 
  Yesterday was the 17 year anniversary of my mothers death.  This year it ha**** me hard.  She like your mom died of cancer.  She ignored all the signs and if caught earlier would have had a chance at beating it.  She lied to me when I asked her to go to a doctor...fear...easier to deny the signs.  I miss her so much.  BUT she has missed so much.  She never got to meet my daughter, she never got to see me as an adult.  She never got to meet my fiance'.  She has missed so much. 
  Like I said my week has been tough.  Must be why I was drawn to this board...something I needed to read.
  Thanks.

I also just realized your moms name was Margie.  My mom was Margaret.  They called her Margie or Marge...wow!!

Tom, you make a very important point. Thank you for sharing your story.

A friend's sister was having headaches and neurological symptoms. The doctors kept telling her it was stress, but she was a nurse and knew something was wrong. She fought and persisted, and finally someone recognized that it was an aneurysm. They operated on it in the nick of time, and saved her life.

But if she had not been a medical professional, or accepted the opinions of the "experts" she consulted, she might not have lived to tell about it. So, to further emphasize your message, LISTEN to your body. And if something "isn't right" don't let anyone tell you you're crazy!

Tom - thank you as always for your words of wisdom from the heart....I just know your Mom is smiling on you.....

Margie raised a great son...thank you for taking the time and sharing that with us.