15 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 the 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. Not to mention my sister and I, who miss them both (daily)

 Now why am I sending this to you? Not because I want you to feel sorry, or send condolences but because you're special to me, and 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 state that their family member is “not on board" with their medical 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. But 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).

Congrats on your date !! I am polishing up your seat on the Loser's Bench in Our Winner's Circle.

I know at least one person who comes here who had the sleeve. I also know at least one other person who is planning on it.

Good luck, and know no matter what operation you choose - we will be here for ya!!