Thank you for your support and live today. I felt the love of Avanta in full force. Thank you!

Yes, I have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, grade 3 (advanced). There were NO WARNING SIGNS> It is a cancer which blindsides a woman. From playing tennis twice a day, five days a week and signing in the church choir, within 2 weeks I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I will have surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY on April 6th followed by 6 months of extensive chemotherapy...some in Syracuse and some in Ithaca. Interesting and fortunate for me, Dr. Bunn, the surgeon, a specialist in ovarian cancer treatment, is a very good friend of my son, Bruce Robinson...never hurts!! This a is a bump in the road which I would like to avoid, but I will survive it.....I will be back!

I am on a CRUSADE!! I now know of a simple blood test which is specific for ovarian cancer: CA125. Drs. are not promoting it because it can give false positive reports. One of my daughters requested CA125. His response: "It may give false reports/Medicare won't pay for it:" Her answer: I want it... I'll pay for it. The test was done, Report: 50 which is elevated from the normal 2. (mine is 522) The Dr. ordered an ultrasound which revealed an I believe that every woman from age 40 on should INSIST on having the flood test, CA125, I only wish I had known about it.

Sorry I can't be at Avanta this year but I'll be back.

The following poem is one I memorized in the 9th grade. It came to me when I heard my diagnosis:

So live that when thy summons come to join the innumerable caravan

Where each shall take his chamber in the silent hall of death

Thou go not as the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon

But sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust,

As one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him

And lies down to pleasant dreams.

From Thanatopsis by William C. Bryant

This has been my life philosophy. I'm not planning to wrap the drapery of my couch about me yet. I will survive this hurdle and hope to back next year. Thank you for your many cards, calls, and prayers.

Peace and Love,
Joyce

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