Voice of a survivor: P.E.I. woman talks about ovarian cancer diagnosis

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A 58-year-old O’Leary girl says she’s proof ovarian most cancers doesn’t need to be a demise sentence.

Della Candy might be one of many survivors who will participate within the twentieth anniversary of the Ovarian Most cancers Stroll of Hope in Charlottetown on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Victoria Park at 11:15 a.m.

“I wish to give those that are battling some hope that they’ll survive this,’’ Candy instructed SaltWire Community in an interview on Aug. 30 on the park.

Candy mentioned she’s going to always remember Sept. 16, 2014 – the day a health care provider walked into her room on the Prince County Hospital in Summerside.

“They mentioned, ‘You may have an ovarian tumour and it seems like ovarian most cancers’. I nearly fell over,’’ Candy mentioned. “As quickly as they mentioned the phrases ovarian most cancers, I figured I used to be accomplished; that this was it.’’

In Canada, one out of each two ladies identified with this illness doesn’t dwell to see one other 5 years.

Quickly, her ideas turned to her husband, Glen, and her two youngsters, Matthew and Samantha.

“That was the largest factor,’’ she mentioned, pausing to gather her composure. “Simply realizing I could be leaving them, how would they do.’’

Candy mentioned she couldn’t course of the way it was actual. She had by no means been sick. She had at all times been an energetic individual.

Candy was taking part in ball at some point in June 2014 when she injured her knee, an damage that acquired progressively worse.

On prime of that, she began experiencing digestive and bowel points. She began going by menopause the place, Candy mentioned, there was bleeding the place there shouldn’t have been.

“However, I didn’t join any of it.’’

Quite a few visits to the Alberton and Summerside hospital adopted in the course of the summer season of 2014 till at some point Glen discovered her on the ground. She was rushed to Prince County Hospital.

Candy was referred to the oncology division in a Halifax hospital and transported by ambulance for surgical procedure.

By this time, the most cancers had metastasized in her appendix.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR OVARIAN CANCER WALK OF HOPE IN CHARLOTTETOWN

Following surgical procedure, there have been intense remedies of chemotherapy in Halifax.

Candy mentioned it was one other six months earlier than she felt like herself.

Now in remission, Candy mentioned she shortly developed a brand new outlook on life.

“I used to be instructed if my most cancers comes again, it is going to come again in a short time. It was like a wakeup name. I began creating the perspective if I get one other yr, I’ll dwell for that. I’ve been very fortunate. There have been no recurrences.’’

Nonetheless, it nonetheless affected her psychological well being.

So, she began studying tales about different survivors of ovarian most cancers and determined to participate within the Charlottetown stroll.

“Getting concerned on this stroll introduced me again to cherishing the second. It put issues in perspective.’’

Sharlene Wallace, neighborhood engagement lead for the Atlantic Canadian division of Ovarian Most cancers Canada, mentioned organizers are hoping to have not less than 100 individuals present up on Sept. 11 and lift not less than $5,000.

Wallace mentioned individuals uncomfortable about being in massive crowds can nonetheless participate.

“We’ve a hybrid stroll occurring this yr,’’ Wallace mentioned in a phone interview from Halifax. “In case you’re not fairly prepared (to stroll with individuals) you may nonetheless stroll just about. Simply go on our web site; you’ve got the choice to choose both.’’

Candy mentioned the stroll is vital to create consciousness in addition to increase cash.

“There will not be many survivors (there), however there might be households of individuals (affected by the illness) who wish to see change and higher statistics. Me? I simply wish to be the survivor’s voice. That’s all I needed to listen to earlier than – somebody who continues to be alive with ovarian most cancers.’’

At a look

Following is the schedule for the Ovarian Most cancers Stroll of Hope in Charlottetown on Saturday, Sept  10.

• 10 a.m.: Stroll web site opens with leisure by Abi Marie and Luka Corridor, in addition to a petting farm, bouncy castles and refreshments.

• 11 a.m.: Opening ceremonies start.

• 11:15 a.m.: Stroll, run begins

• Midday: Wrap up.

• 12:30 p.m.: Occasion closes.

• Observe: Occasion takes place rain or shine.

• Register at: www.ovariancancerwalkofhope.ca

Do you know?

Following are some info about ovarian most cancers in Canada:

• It’s the most deadly ladies’s most cancers.

• There isn’t any dependable screening for this illness.

• 5 Canadian ladies die from ovarian most cancers day by day.

• About 3,100 Canadian ladies are identified annually.

• One out of each two ladies identified with this illness received’t dwell one other 5 years.

• Signs of ovarian most cancers embody bloating, issue consuming, belly discomfort and alter in urinary habits.

• Girls most in danger are these over 50, if there’s a household historical past of sure forms of most cancers, has Ashkenazi Jewish or French Canadian descent or has a genetic mutation related to ovarian most cancers.

Dave Stewart is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] or on Twitter @DveStewart