My story is similar to so many others. In May of 2005, I was dx. with stage III ovarian cancer after what was supposed to be a "routine elective laproscopic" hysterectomy. I was to be in in the am and home by supper. I woke up with a full zipper-type incision 8 hours later to the doctor telling me how sorry he was to tell me he was shocked to find cancer. I went home 4 days later to a world turned upside down. I also went home with the worst and first (for me) case of heart burn I could ever imagine. The drs. said it was probably from all the new meds they'd given me--it didn't get better over the next three days and I was finally taken back to the hospital by family and was found to be having a heart attack,so had cardiac cath the next day and angioplasty the next (each done through a different side of your groin)-with the staples from the hysterectomy still in! Then back home five days later to recover and prepare for chemo, hair loss etc. Cancerland is a whole new world! I decided early on that I was going to survive and fight to get well and enjoy each day that I had to the best of my ability. After all what other choice did I have? I refused to give this beast any more power than it had already taken. I completed the initial 6 chemo treatments then monthly maintenance chemo for a year. To lift my spirits, when facing hair loss, my family and friends threw a Hats Off to Nancy party--everyone brought me the wackiest hats they could find/buy/make to wear after baldness, and as a grand finale, my hairdresser arrived and cut off most of it to make the "fall out" a little easier to bear. I decided to embrace my life the best I could, sick or well, bald or not. Did I have awful rotten days/weeks? You betcha, but I am now happily dancing with NED since September 2006. Was it easy? Hell no--but neither were the alternatives. These were the cards I was dealt and I had to play them out. I loved the show last night! I saw so many of my own thoughts and feelings portrayed by Kris on CSC. Everyone dealing with this horrible disease in whatever way they choose is a crazy, sexy warrior. To those who objected to the title--cancer isn't sexy-but the people fighting on everyday are beautiful and courageous and that's what sexy really is--keep fighting! Nancy

hi nancy,

im currently on my way to surviving ovarian cancer. i'm 27 no family. its hard. my response is a kudos to you but also a shout out to dotcomm who was upset about the crazy sexy cancer story claiming people were making money off of our pain.

maybe i dont have the family members throwing parties or sending chemo gifts or leaving meals at my door step.
im a loner. im an independent with medicaid and a sucky job when diagnosed.
i went to gildas club and found smiles and support. i went to the american cancer society and they gave me back some dignity and lots of hugs and a wig.
I found Kris Carr and I exchange thoughts with her and shes one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.
I want to be a survivor in life like she is. I want to make my green juices and look at the bright side like she does. I want to help others like myself the way she has.
don;t knock it til you've tried it is all I have to say to the nay sayers.
Kris is real. she couldve had this revelation in her life thinking only of herself and her own survival. but the reality is that she thought of others. the other young people who look around that hospital chemo infusion dialysis room and see only old people. you look around-- i looked around actually and i said damn, these people have kids and grand kids and homes and whole lives under their belts. i'd be okay with mortality slapping me in the face in a stare down if i had all that but the fact is i'm 27 and possibly not gonna reproduce and i dont have honeymoons and children and memories in a home of my own and a career to look back on. and i looked around after thinking all of that and i saw there was no one around with the crazy desperation i ntheir eyes from lack of age and experience like me. and i felt alone.
until i found Kris
and Gilda's club.
and the american cancer society.

because im young im crazy im not gonna stop being sexy. i may have canSer but canSer doesnt have me. because i'm gonna be a "healing junkie" gonna find whateever it takes to heal me inside and out and i'm gonna be a survivor.

So I thank Kris for happening in a big way when my life seemed to be unraveling in a big way.

i didnt get lost in the cracks and a lot of that was and is thanks to her.

big hugs to the web canSer posse.

much love to all,
angelica