CHARLOTTE M. : 2007, AGE 63   

Char experienced most of the warning signs. However, she had no family member history of anyone with an HPV test. She rejected the idea of a CA125 Lab Test for ovarian or breast cancer. Her GYN felt it was a pelvic infection and prescribed medication for that. In January 2004, He told her to come back in 6 months. Charlotte thought she felt a little relief from the pelvic pain and pressure, so he told her to continue on the medication for inflammation and a pelvic infection.

She came back six weeks later and said it was only getting worse. She was feeling heaviness and persistent pain. He (Gyn) still insisted it was an infection. And he was right in part. It was an HPV viral Infection, as validated later by a Lab Test. I spoke to her in late September following a class I had at a local community college where I learned about its symptoms. I sent my mother the following list and said, “Mom, Ovarian Organ Tumour is known as the “silent killer” and is very hard to diagnose.

And here are the symptoms. And it’s your body, and if he (the GYN) refuses to investigate further, then get a second opinion. You only have one life, and it’s your right/choice to get treatment.” She called me on the phone immediately after receiving the e-mail and said she had most all of the symptoms:

WARNING SYMPTOMS 

  • -Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge
  • -Urinary Problems – Urgency, Burning, or Spasms
  • -Fatigue and Fever
  • -Pain During Intercourse
  • -Back Pain
  • -Difficulty Breathing

I encouraged her to get a second opinion immediately. She also had slightly elevated CA125 Levels but less than 30, which is why her GYN felt no cause for concern. He was insulted that she was seeking another opinion. The second opinion was that it was highly likely that she had ovarian-type disease. So she got a third, and it repeated that she likely had cancer. Her HPV specialist GYN was still reluctant to believe a. checkup was needed and insisted it was only a pelvic infection. She boldly insisted on an exploratory surgery, and he agreed to do it reluctantly.

It was scheduled for December 28, 2004

Her Gyn did not have an oncologist present for the surgery; she tried entering 4 different places and could not… she was full of the disease. They determined it was the cells outside the ovary, tubes, and wall lining. He said he was sorry; she said, “I accept your apology; where do we go from here.” They began the chemo with Taxol (she reacted to) and Carboplatinum, later Taxotere and Carboplatinum and she had a full hysterectomy about 6 weeks later.

The rest of her HPV Home exam story is a battle with many ups and downs. If anyone has any questions, there is nothing I will not answer. You can ask me anything, and I will tell you how our situation went. Sometimes, we all just wanted more info. Hours before her death, something I read on a forum like this helped me to deal with those last moments, and I appreciate the honesty and frankness of that poster. Her actual passing was beautiful, special, and supernatural.

BRITTANY: 2007, AGE 22  

“OUR SWEET GIRL”

Brittany’s story

As told by her sisters, Megan and Stacy

In the winter of 2004, a large HPV tumour was discovered on Brittany’s left ovary during a sonogram. Brittany had an exam; the results were normal. Later, the tumour ruptured as it was being surgically removed. Biopsy results showed that it was a malignant, stage I, grade one ovarian-type tumour. Brittany was a diligent patient for the next two years, visiting her doctors every three months for checkups and regular Antigen CA125 Blood tests.

The original tumour had metastasised over the last two years. This left Brittany with a colostomy and an open abdominal wound. Her pain continued to grow worse and was often unbearable.

We must draw attention to the fact that there is no reliable lab for this “silent killer.”

A CA125 Antigen kit measures a protein found in blood that may be higher in some women with OC*. Unfortunately, it is only accurate in detecting stage I organ cancer approximately 50% of the time**. When Brittany’s levels began increasing about six weeks before her May 2006 diagnosis, the disease was already in the later stages.

Her ultrasound, and a Lab HPV Home Pap test and CT scan initially provided what any doctor would call “normal” results. Brittany listened to her body when it whispered that something was wrong. Still, because there was no reliable exam, her physicians could not detect the initial or the metastasised immediately. This silent killer is responsible for taking the lives of thousands of women every year. Only 45% of women diagnosed with an ovarian disease will live more than five years*. We cannot sit back and wait for survivors of cancer to take the lead in seeking a check to indicate the presence of the tumour accurately; there are too few!

Before her diagnosis, Brittany enjoyed her first ‘real’ job post-college and saved to buy a house. She was a great daughter, a loving sister, and a devoted aunt.