Karenann (Karen) - Alumni Hostess 2003

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Karenann (Karen) - Alumni Hostess 2003

Karenann (Karen) - Alumni Hostess 2003

Date : 04-30-2003 - 09:38 AM - Readers : 706

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Hello to All Hystersisters! My name is Karen. Pretty much an uncommon namethese days except on the hystersisters site. Hence, I had to add my middlename, Ann, like most females born in the 1950's. So that's what thekarenann is about.

I just turned 50 this past January. And I will never complain about anotherbirthday for the rest of my life. I live in S Jersey, right outside ofPhiladelphia. I am married to my high school sweetheart and have been for28 years!! He is the guy who tries to make all my dreams come true and hesucceeds more often than not. We have two sons. Jeff, 23, a first yearmedical student, and Tim, 19, a college freshman. We are so proud of bothsons, although they are as different as night and day.

I am an RN and have been since I was 21. The ICU has been my work home forthe past 28 years. I know alot about hearts and lungs, but knew very littleabout gyn cancers. Until my own diagnosis.

My greatest joys in life, after my three men, are:visiting DISNEY WORLD ( I just adore the place, Need any travel advice, contact me)reading books of all kinds, cooking ( This is a late developement in my life. Unfortunately while undergoing chemo I started watching the cooking channel. Now, 25 lbs later, I am stillenjoying it.)

Hystersisters, and particularly the cancer concern forum, has been a virtuallifeline for me this past year. I was diagnosed with epithelial ovariancancer, Stage III grade c last May. I was 49 years old and had none of the often read about risks factors. In April, I began to experience abdominal pain. My local gyn sent me for arepeat ultrasound. We thought my fibroids were growing. My ultrasoundshowed a hugh mass on each ovary. I immediately went to see a gyn oncologysurgeon at a well known cancer center. For some odd reason my plateletcount was extremely high. It took seven weeks to get the platelets undercontrol so that the surgery could be performed. I had one lymph nodeinvolved and this is what caused my advanced staging.

I lived in a daze for about a week and then the research began. For me,hystersisters was a godsend. It is truly the most supportive, encouraging,loving group of women. Some of my life's heroes are and have been hostesses on this site. I was quite honored when they asked me to be a hostess. Ijust hope I can give back a little of all I've received.

oxoxoxkarenann

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