Sep 16, 2013 By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read

I knew I was a likely candidate for cancer but was caught off guard when it happened.

My father had died from lung cancer at age 65 in 1993. My mother died at age 81 from lymphoma in 2008. Each lived only a short time after their diagnosis.

I was 52 when I learned I had ovarian cancer in February 2011. They discovered my cancer because I had trouble urinating. Suddenly, I couldn’t go. Probably wasn’t so suddenly. Probably had been building up and I wasn’t paying attention. Life is busy, and, as a parent, the last person you take care of is yourself. I was overdue for my gynecological check-up and never dreamed this would happen.

I thought I had a bladder infection. I ended up in Uniontown Hospital’s emergency room, where I received a scan and was told I had a large mass on my left ovary that was pressing against my bladder. The doctors recommended surgery, and I was sent to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, where I saw a gynecological oncologist.

During the surgery, a biopsy revealed the mass was cancerous. I had a full hysterectomy, and the doctor thought he had caught all the cancer, but we had to wait for test results to see if it had spread.

The good news is the cancer was Stage 1 and hadn’t spread. My family and I were relieved. I could concentrate on my recovery from surgery. I thought that was the end of it.

I returned a few weeks later for a follow-up visit with the doctor, and I learned I had to have chemotherapy. That terrified me. Doesn’t that make you sick? Would I lose my hair? How much would I need?

I became a patient at UPMC’s cancer center in Uniontown. My husband and I visited the clinic, saw the doctor and a nurse filled us in on the long list of side effects that could occur. That visit depressed us.

I started intravenous chemotherapy, eventually receiving six treatments lasting five hours each. One drug made me sleepy, but another gave me restless legs syndrome, and I would spend time walking around the clinic, trying to deal with the symptoms. My doctor and the staff at the center were great, making sure I had the proper medicines, getting me ginger ale or juice to drink and crackers to eat during treatment, and offering kind words to lift my spirits.

I had treatments on Monday and was feeling shaky by Thursday. I was nauseated and constipated. Some days, I just felt very tired. I had to have shots to boost my white blood cell count, which was affected by chemotherapy. The shots caused body aches.

After my first treatment, I attended a “Look Good, Feel Better” class, offered for free by the American Cancer Society, so I could learn what would happen to my appearance and what to do about it. I didn’t know I would lose my eyebrows and eyelashes. The teacher taught us how to draw on fake eyebrows and wear wigs so we would feel more normal.

I was nervous about going back to work during my treatments, but I did, as do so many cancer patients. The people I work with were so kind and considerate, as were my family and friends who visited, called and sent me cards, flowers and packages. Some even dropped by with ready-made dinners. They touched my heart.

If you ever wonder if it makes a difference to say something or send a card, please know that it does. Cancer can be overwhelming. I can’t say enough about my husband and daughters and how much they did to support me.

Eventually my hair grew back. I continue to have blood tests and scans to check for signs of cancer. My latest tests in August revealed no sign of the disease, but I learned you must wait five years after your diagnosis before you can be declared cancer free.

In the meantime, I get regular check-ups with my gynecologist. I have become involved with the American Cancer Society after being asked to serve on the Fayette County volunteer leadership council. We draw attention to the many services the society provides, search for other volunteers to assist with programs and help with local efforts to raise funds. Perhaps the best known is Relay for Life, which is held every August in Fayette County. This year, my family put together its own team, called Kiss Cancer Goodbye.

My family has felt strongly about this cause and worked hard to make it a success. Our two oldest daughters were also involved in the Relay at Penn State, and our youngest made this year’s Fayette County Relay her senior project. We are grateful to everyone who supported us.

We want to put an end to this terrible disease that has affected so many, including several members of our family. The American Cancer Society reports more than 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year.

That’s too many.