OPRAH WINFREY SHOW

I am hopeful that one day Oprah will have a show on Ovca. I have read through this list how so many of us have submitted our stories even though they don't fit the criteria of her request for entries. I want to share my story that I submitted. Maybe some of you can submit yours as well.

I was 49 years old when I had to have exploratory surgery as I was dying and they could not figure out why. When I was opened up I was in advanced stages of ovarian cancer. The cancer was from my diaphragm to my rectum and everywhere in between. I had a very aggressive de-bulking surgery, removing every visible trace of cancer from my body. I spent four days in intensive care and an additional eleven days in the hospital. I started my chemotherapy while in the hospital and my hair started falling out at two weeks. I had my husband and seven year old grandson shave my head due to the burning pain. It was a difficult time for me, but I just kept telling myself I can be buried with hair or have a chance at life. At that time I had no idea the odds were definitely against me. I was determined I would live, I had too much to live for. I had turned 50 in the hospital and was supposed to be on a cruise celebrating my 50th birthday! Three weeks after my last round of chemotherapy I had another surgery to look and see if the cancer was still there. There were 200 biopsies and all were clean! It is now over ten years later and I am alive and cancer free. I have had five major surgeries, many hospitalizations for complications from the cancer, and deal with lymphedema daily, wearing compression garments and using a compression pump daily for two hours. I am told I am a miracle, I am one of the very few that survive the level of cancer I had. The cancer fight is very difficult for a woman, it strips you of your femininity, you become hairless, continually ill, incapable of being the wife and mother role, scarred for life, and scared for your life. Through the love of your family and friends, your faith in God and the prayers of others, you hang on. You try not to read the statistics of survival of ovarian cancer because it shatters the hope that you cling to. You try to live each day to the fullest, hoping it won't be your last.

I don't know why I was one of the fortunate ones, but I am. I share my story as often as I can with other women. I want them to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, it may one day save their lives. I believe that the struggles over the last ten years have stolen my youthfulness, yet I am ALIVE!

I know you are looking for a 30-40 yr old for your show, but I wanted to share my story so maybe one day you will have a show on ovarian cancer. It is the number one cancer killer of women. Every woman I loved with ovarian cancer during my fight for life is no longer with us.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you still struggling for survival. I hope for a cure in our lifetime.
Linda Lynch