Jun 23 2009
A Friend’s Message: Ovarian cancer awareness
Loading ...This message to us about Ovarian Cancer is spoken from the beautiful heart and soul of my friend Debbie, who lives with passion every day.
Sometimes I wonder what God’s real purpose was when He created me?
A college teacher, once described me as having a real aptitude for helping others, a ‘born advocate’, something that I never really grasped until the death of my mother.
The months which led towards my 40th birthday, were filled with a lot of emotional-suffering, and the catalyst for a new and scary journey-
Both parents had retired to the seaside of N.S.W’S lovely Central Coast, these years meant to be their new beginning-a chance to relax and spend more time together, including time to do what mum loved most…travel!
It was the year 2000, Sydney’s first turn at hosting the Olympic Games and the year that my parents had booked their trip to Europe.
Six weeks holiday, seeing sights some only dream about, first stop Heathrow airport, and on ‘touch-down’ Mum would celebrate her 63rd birthday. We had laughed & joked as she shared the planned Beatles Bus-Tour, I was seriously jealous but as thrilled & enthusiastic with her-
When March arrived, no one could have prepared for the news mum would receive, mum’s diagnosis & the urgency for immediate surgery had us all in a real spin! Symptoms which mum’s doctors had recently dismissed, had suddenly resulted in something much more sinister, something neither myself, nor those closest had ever heard of?
This awful disease had made itself known all too late-why?
Ovarian cancer, stage 111, a slow growing tumor which had attached itself to one of mum’s ovaries, the reason for all her symptoms:
*Bloated tummy
*Lower back pain
*Slight nausea
The ‘above’ very common symptoms, simply vague signs that any one person can so often identify with now & then.
The trip canceled, and the six week dream of travel replaced by six weeks within hospital confinement. Mum’s birthday came & went, no obvious celebrations, a frightening ordeal where mum had been forced to face her own mortality.
Her surgery over but not the outcome we had all prayed for, mum was left weak while her body continued to fill up with fluid. The latter required regular physio-treatment as it had impaired mum’s mobility, inevitably reducing my mother to a walking-frame….mum had just turned 63!
We would learn later, how this fluid-build up played a huge role in other post-op problems, including the unknown ‘blood-clot’ which was now forming inside.
It was the first week of June, 2000, and mum was finally discharged.
I cannot write all what I had hoped to say here, it’s still too painful, and I’m still dealing with the anger….had there been just some proper test….maybe mum would still be here?
When we talk about Breast cancer, we immediately acknowledge the Mammogram, the message has always been a clear one, “Have your breasts checked”….But what of Ovarian cancer, what do we need to do here? My sister and I knew absolutely nothing!
Don’t be confused like so many others who still think a Pap smear will cover you, that’s a huge misconception! The Pap is only for the cervix, and thanks to researchers, there’s also the bonus of the recently designed vaccination, a great step forward.
So, here I am, now eight years older, and still doing anything I possibly can, to continue preaching this message to others.
My path in life took its new direction, encouraged to find a publisher, my 1st book of poems became my tribute to my mother, and a message was released!
From there, I enlisted my services as a volunteer, becoming an ‘awareness’ coordinator for OvCa Australia-National Ovarian Cancer Network, holding various events/functions, opening more doors which led to other networks.
I quickly realized I needed more, like a thirst that was unable to be quenched, I went in search for further ideas, enrolling in Tafe I began my study in Community Services-Welfare. Here I found a deeper understanding for humanity,& the urgency to become more actively involved within the community at large-
Studying also required hours of research, much of this spent ‘online’ where I was soon shifting pieces of gained knowledge, with that of websites & Blogs.
A whole new world had emerged!
Today, with a collection of self-published books, websites, Blogs, social networking and a member of the Boomer Diva Nation, I am taking full advantage of every tool available to my cause-
Raising awareness to help save others……the ‘born-advocate’, God’s mission within me, revealed-
My passion to fight for women & girls, taking this crucial information right across the globe!
Mum’s pleas to do something, “Someone needs to warn others”, being fulfilled.
In loving memory Judy Burns
27/04/1937 -3/07/2000
Her life, too short
Her love, lives on
The first ‘online’ Awareness campaign is due to kick off Friday, September 4th, 2009 – “FEEL TEAL FRIDAY & DANCE AGAIN”, for Ovarian cancer awareness/research!
Rick Finch, of Rick Finch Productions, [ Co-founder/Bass guitarist/Singer/songwriter/ of 'Miami sound' sensation; KC & The Sunshine Band,] and so much more, proudly fronting this exciting campaign! His latest CD, “For All Reasons” & funky-fun instrumental; “Let’s Dance Again” all part of this wonderful and momentous occasion! STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS. RichardRFinch.com
Visit Debbie at DeliberatelyDebbie.com
Awareness Blogs: http://chookfiles.wordpress.com : http://freesiafever.blogspot.com : http://freesias.ning.com
June 19th – 21st, 2009 
Meanwhile, enjoy these photos of Whiskers’ friends below. 
“Avoid popularity, if you would have peace.”
