Article: jmberg (Jane) - Alumni Hostess 2009

HysterSisters Hysterectomy Support Resources - http://www.hystersisters.com

Article: jmberg (Jane) - Alumni Hostess 2009
Hi, I am Jane and I live in a wee little town in north central Iowa. A place where we enjoy awesome sunrises, sunsets and bright sparkling starts at night as well as four seasons.

I have been married to my wonderful husband since 1979 and we have 3 children. Two sons who were born in 1982 and 1989 and a daughter born in 1986. One was in college and two in high school at the time of my surgery and cancer treatments. They are all great kids (mine really are). We have also been host parents to 4 foreign exchange students.

I have been a stay at home Mom since 1979. Before that, I worked in doctor’s offices as receptionist/billing/insurance. I do lots of volunteer work. I have also signed on to be a coordinator for exchange students.

My hobbies include reading, scrap booking, quilting, travel, going on mission trips and studying the Bible. Yeah there are a couple of expensive ones here.

The road that led to my hyster was a little different. Yeah, I had some of the cramps, long heavy periods, but these would be treated with BC pills and for the most part helped. I have even had a very boring annual checkup just 3 months earlier.

I was taking my daughter to a college visit when I was having some lower abdominal pain. I thought, bad time for a UTI or bladder infections (have had 3 or 4 in my lifetime) so I did extra drinking. Things stabilized for a few days before things got worse. Along with that I was bloated. I decided I should get this checked out so went to my FP doctor. He thought appendix or maybe an ovarian cyst. Had lab and an abdominal x-ray. After seeing this, he ordered a CT scan. The radiologist had him come see it. FP doctor showed it to the surgeon and ob/gyn both of which did not want to touch it. "IT" was a large ovarian mass and had the appearance on the CT of not being good, possible cancer. This happened in one afternoon. I was sent to the nearest large world reknown medical center that evening which also has a cancer center where I was admitted. This was on Thursday night and on Tuesday I was having a TAH/BSO amongst other things. It turned out to be ovarian cancer Stage !c Grade 1 and I would need three chemo treatments. While chemo is not fun, it is very doable. There are many treatments for side affects of chemo, just make sure your doctor and chemo nurse know about all side affects you have.

I found Hystersisters after I returned home and recovering from surgery when I was googling hysterectomy. I received lots of information and found the Cancer Concerns forum. I learned on Hystersisters that one should have a gyn/onc perform your surgery when cancer was suspected. I checked the business card my surgeon had given me – gyn/onc – whew! I think God was looking out for me. I have since been free of cancer. I stayed with Hystersisters so I could give to others going through cancer the same support I found. I was humbled when Kathy asked me to serve as Hostess for Cancer Concerns. This came at a time I was thinking of spending less time here for many different reasons. Thank you Kathy for putting together this place where scared women all over the world can come and get help and support.

Feel free to PM me or send me an email if you have any questions.