How We Raised Over $300 in One Week for Cancer Awareness

It is officially the halfway mark of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! What have you done for yourself or others in spreading awareness and making a difference?

So far, my birthday week has brought about two successful fundraisers.

This year, my family joined me on Saturday, Sept. 14, in raising awareness for Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance's Teal Trot 5K Run/Walk at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia.

My team, Abi's All Stars, raised $179.23 thanks to the following contributors: CM, PK, C&CN, EG, SC, JZ and DH. I want to thank all of you who donated or shared my information along with your peers! We got so so so close to my $200 fundraising goal and that makes me so happy!

Thank you especially to my mom, dad and fiance for walking with me on race day. It was a hot and humid Saturday morning walk through Chastain Park, and I think we all sweat more than we anticipated!

My mom and I wore teal tutus, so we still made it fun.

The event is the largest ovarian cancer awareness and fundraising event in Georgia, so I would love to see more participants and donors as the years go on.

This year, the event raised a total of $140,473.28 and hosted 1,054 participants of 88 teams on race day.

If you missed this opportunity to donate, please make sure to check out the "Donate" tab above and read about a few nonprofits that mean a lot to me.

For my birthday fundraiser on Facebook this year, I chose Lacuna Loft as the nonprofit to donate to. We exceeded my $100 goal, coming in at a solid $155 going straight to this program for young adult cancer survivors, patients and caregivers. This nonprofit serves these individuals at no cost and is an online platform for easier access to all.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the following donors: CM, RC, RE and LP! 'Thank you' never seems sufficient to express my gratitude to you all, but please know it really means a lot to me, and of course to others using these services. You are making a difference!

Earlier this year, I participated in one of their writing workshops which helped me continue to wade through what I went through two years ago. I met some amazing people and heard their powerful stories. I hope I can join another workshop soon, as well as one of their really unique book clubs!

To donate to my birthday fundraiser, there is still some time left! Please visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/404836313547510/404836320214176/ to donate, or https://www.facebook.com/pg/LacunaLoft/about/?ref=page_internal for more information about Lacuna Loft.

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

How to Cope With a Cancer Diagnosis

For Day 8 this past weekend, we talked about how to be there for a friend going through a health issue, but what do you do if that person becomes you?

Hearing "you have cancer" can surely turn your world upside-down. You may feel every emotion all at once, or none at all. Know that you're not alone as 1.7 million people are diagnosed each year and about 15.5 million others are cancer survivors.

Sometimes having a plan can be a relief, especially when there are so many unknowns. Here are a few ideas for you to try when faced with a cancer diagnosis:

Assemble your A-Team
Rally a support network so you don't have to carry this burden alone. Your team could be made up of your oncologist, your nurses, other health care professionals, your loved ones, and perhaps a therapist. These will be the ones you can turn to for logistical and emotional support at any time. You may not even have to assemble one as your A-Team may naturally fall into place.

Have someone there at each appointment
There are times when you won't be able to remember everything your doctor said, and that is natural for a lot of people -- with or without a cancer diagnosis. Besides acting as your backup memory, this person can ask questions on your behalf and advocate for your care. It's important to choose someone who is a good listener and has a calming influence on you. This can be someone on your A-Team, or someone completely different.

Your A-team needs to be up-to-speed on your plan of care and your visits anyway, so what better way to keep them informed. (It also gets you out of having these conversations over and over again after your appointment.)

Establish a "communications officer"
If you share your diagnosis with a wider circle, unsolicited advice can be distracting and alarming. If you "hire" a communications officer, you can minimize the direct effects. Your person in this role can update others on your progress, freeing you of the responsibility of responding to various questions. This is especially important if you have a large network of people rooting for you. My mom was always the point of contact for my family members, not only because she was (is) close with them, but also because she was at 90% of my appointments with me too.

Manage the flood of info
Learning some tricks to manage all of the new information swirling around in your brain will help immensely. Start a file to organize your medical records and store all your health documents. This file can also serve as your handy spot to keep all of the questions you write down to ask your care team the next time you see them. My first day of chemo alone, I was given packet after packet of information. Trust me, you'll want a binder for this one.

Make time to process your experience
I slept most of my treatment away, leaving the majority of my processing to the after-years (AKA now, hence this blog). This isn't a bad thing for me, but I would highly suggest to others that they take some time off of work or aside from treatment to get your head straight, prepare, and decide how you're feeling and what you need right now. Whatever your coping style, make time to focus your energy on your own needs and prioritize your care and cure. This is YOUR time.

Breathe
Nowadays, people automatically think "death sentence" when they hear the word "cancer." And although that is highly untrue with modern medicine, it is also highly toxic as it makes cancer patients and their loved ones on edge immediately. If you are diagnosed with cancer, breathe. It's one of the first things you'll more than likely forget to do, but just breathe. Slowly. Take a moment to yourself to garnish each breath as it can bring you closer to a calmer state. Just remember that you have a multitude of supporters by your side, from your loved ones to your health team to those 15.5 million survivors.

You will figure out the rest in time.

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

23 Things I've Learned in 23 Years -- All Things Ab

Today marks my birthday, making me 23 years old. Twenty-three. I'm now closer to 25 than I am to 20.

Despite its downsides, 22 was a truly great year for me. I got engaged, moved across the country and back, published my own research and started my last year of undergrad. I experienced so much at 22 -- every emotion on the spectrum.

In an attempt to share whatever amount I've managed to gain during my 23 rotations around the sun, I've compiled a list of 23 things I've learned in 23 years. Still, I know I'll forget them from time to time, and I know I still have a thousand more to go. But I thought I'd keep up with the trend since I posted "22 Things I've Learned in 22 Years" last year.

Onward to 23.

1. I really like Christian Yelich. Glad we got that one out of the way.
2. I might be addicted to Target.
3. Things are cool, but experiences are cooler.
4. You don't know everything about a person's life, so don't jump to conclusions
5. You have the power to have a really good life, just like you have the power to have a really bad one.
6. You are not obligated in no way, shape or form to please everyone.
7. If you feel something needs to be said, say it. It's better to go that route than let it eat away at you.
8. People are only going to care about what they want to care about. Let them.
9. Be teachable. You're not always right.
10. Astrology will never cease to amaze me.
11. Sometimes your friends act more like family, and sometimes the other way is true too.
12. How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.
13. Don't worry about the people who aren't happy for you. They probably aren't happy about themselves either.
14. I hold a lot of tension in my body (i.e. clenched jaw, shallow breaths, tight shoulders) and I need to stop that.
15. People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full are missing the point. The glass is refillable.
16. Everything you are going through is preparing you for everything you have asked for.
17. Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.
18. I'm really tired of reviewing oxidative phosphorylation (I'm ready to graduate).
19. Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.
20. You can start over each morning.
21. Don't hide your magic.
22. Be in the moment, whether big or small
23. Remember you are only a moment

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

#30DaysOfTeal How to Be There for a Friend Going Through a Medical Condition

Week 2 and Day 8 of All Things Ab's #30DaysOfTeal Series is in full swing! I'm hoping this week is better than the first one.

I want to take a day and pause from the preventative posts and talk about what happens when you, or a friend, experience bad news. If you or someone you know is going through a hard time with a medical condition, how can we all be there to better support each other?

As we all get older, we slowly begin to realize that life will sometimes throw us or a loved one a curveball. While some things can be easily managed, others -- like a friend/loved one getting an incurable or chronic medical condition -- can alter the reality you both once knew.

Although there is no doubt that's it's incredibly challenging to watch a friend enter this new status, it doesn't mean that everything has to change completely. You may think you are overstepping your boundaries at first, but your support is always vital to their mental and physical health.

Increasing the interaction between two people has been shown to elevate moods, during these times especially. However, if you're unsure how to support them right away, it isn't the end of the world. I've found a few ways to best show up for someone with a medical condition without having to overthink it -- or worse, abandon or isolate them.

1. DO: Be patient
Things may or may not be different between you and your friend now and they'll really appreciate your patience while everyone gets adjusted in this new period. Be patient and don't get upset if plans fall through, especially last minute. Remember that all of what they are going through has nothing to do with you. Don' t give up on them and respect their time and space if they want it. Your lasting friendship is enough right now.

2. DON'T: Give advice unless they ask for it
Even if you're close, you don't want to force them to take your advice or listen to your solutions. Just because it worked for one person, doesn't mean it will work for them. And that's okay because chances are, your friend doesn't expect you to know the answers. Chronic medical conditions are unique to each person and so the best way to help them is by seeing what they need, if anything.

3. DO: Ask open-ended questions
Open-ended questions show your friend you are willing to have tough conversations and that you want to understand the world in their eyes. These kinds of questions also prevent you from becoming too intrusive as your friend will be able to control the conversation in sharing as much or as little as they wish to. Examples could be: What have been the highs and lows for you lately? How can I be there for you? How have the last few days been?

4. DON'T: Act differently
While it's important to be sensitive during sensitive times, you don't want to treat your friend like a fragile object. There was nothing more awkward when I was going through chemotherapy than those who showed me a softer side during that transition. Everyone always meant well, but their changed personalities never helped any situation. Be sure to act as you always do so they do not feel you pity them. Their world is already different, and your friendship may be the only thing that reminds them that life can still be normal and fun for them.

5. DO: Become a better listener
We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. The point is that the more your friend feels heard and not advised, the better. Actively listen to what they choose to share with you and don't assume you know how they feel. Giving them the freedom to have control over their own narrative and condition is one of the healthiest things you can help them do. And as a backup, take the time to research the illness in your own time so that in case they want to change the topic in person, all of your questions will have been answered already.

6. DON'T: Disappear
Medical conditions are often sensitive topics. Not a lot of people know how to approach them or talk to the people going through them. Most people don't realize what they tend to do -- more often times than not -- is disappear. I can't tell you how many people stopped talking to me when I was going through treatment. I knew they didn't know what to say or maybe they were handling it on their own as they digested the news themselves. But please, don't do this. Try so so hard to recognize the time between conversations and visits, because when a friend has a medical condition and isn't able to do much with their life, that's all they think about.

I hope you think about these tips on how to be there for a friend going through a tough time. This may not work for everyone, but if you offer your continuous friendship, you will soon enough discover what they specifically want and need from you.

Even though you may want to make them feel better immediately, your friend will appreciate you taking the time to be there for them when they need it most.

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

Going Bald and Back #30DaysOfTeal -- All Things Ab

March 2017

A Love Story (ft. Chemotherapy)

We're officially one week down in the 30 Days of Teal series! And today marks the sweet spot when I lost my hair due to chemotherapy two years ago: the weekend before my birthday.

It was a sunny Saturday, much like today, as I sat on the couch watching Family Feud with whoever was home. I was only one round of chemotherapy in, but already feeling the effects of the chemo -- nausea, fatigue, low energy, loss of appetite.

My scalp was sore the entire week leading up this certain weekend, and I didn't know why. My oncologist told me I would be able to keep my hair with this specific cocktail of chemotherapy drugs. But my hair was matted from not doing anything to it other than wash it, and I lived in baseball caps as I went to each appointment every day.

After a shower the night before, I had no energy to brush my hair, but I knew I should try since it was so neglected at that point. I wrote about this part of the story before (see links below), but in a nutshell: my mom brushed my hair for me and the majority ended up off my head.

My then-boyfriend-now-fiance ended up shaving my head for me on this sunny Saturday, and I specifically remember the new feeling of actual sunlight on my freshly bald head.

What I didn't predict was how that would feel moving forward. (Spoiler alert: not the best.) Without my hair, I constantly flinched at the sight of my own reflection, and I felt I fit the cancer narrative a little too well.

When you're bald, people say all sorts of words to you to make you feel better, or at least to make themselves feel better about not being able to make you feel better. "You look pretty," people would say. (I flinched at that still.) A few people used the word "fierce." I knew the truth -- chemo hadn't affected my eyesight -- but how could I possibly blame them?

I was no model before cancer, but I knew the thrill of a great hair day. I remembered what it felt like to walk outside feeling great, which is why the opposite -- seeing people's blatant stares, or, worse, their pitying looks -- was so hard for me to endure. Forget blending in: I had cancer wherever I went.

It wasn't just the hair on my head. I lost my eyebrows, my eyelashes, my arm and leg hair, most of my body weight and even an organ or two. I barely felt like a woman -- like a human. And since my hair was the most obvious loss, I became obsessed with it. I would check my scalp each day for stubble.

Nothing compared to my own hair, though. I wore hats and a very expensive wig with the help of loved ones' donations. But it was itchy and hot and tight and not my hair. It's not that I didn't want to experiment with my appearance; I just wanted my life and my beauty routine to go back to how it had been.

You'd think there would be advantages to baldness. It's true, without hair to style, I could get ready in five minutes flat (if I wasn't taking the eternity to draw on my eyebrows). But it's even truer that our hair is quite literally a figuratively an extension of ourselves. There's such a quiet and personal ritual that comes with caring for our own hair.

I get that lacking some of the hallmark queues of femininity didn't actually make me less of a woman, but it sure as hell made me feel that way in the moment. So now, two years later, when I am finally able to look in the mirror at the bob I've grown, I have chills about it.

My hair can do no wrong now; I'll complain here and there, but I'm happy to have it. I usually let it airdry so it gets curly and a lil puffy. You cannot miss it. That's the point.

My hair is healthy and getting strong, which in turn, makes me feel healthy and strong (being in remission also helps). I'm proud and relieved that it is back, and I love it down to the annoying frizz. That's why at any point in time, you can find me fiddling around with it, making sure that, yes, it's still there.

_______________

- Fair warning: the following photos in this timeline of hair growth are not in the best layout. Boy, I can't wait for that new website! -

Before Chemo:

Summer 2015

Summer 2014

August 2016

Spring 2017

Spring 2017

Spring 2017

Summer 2017

Summer 2017

During chemo:

August 2017

September 2017

My wig:

November 2017

December 2017

December 2017

After the wig:

February 2018

March 2018

May 2018

December 2018

January 2019

December 2018

April 2019

May 2019

June 2019

July 2019

August 2019

September 2019

For more posts about my hair and its journey, visit:
https://allthingsab.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-its-like-to-lose-your-hair-when.html
https://allthingsab.blogspot.com/2019/05/journal-my-first-haircut-05182018.html

Take care of yourselves,

Abi
____

Don't forget:
-Leave a comment below and sign up for email alerts in the side bar
-Follow All Things Ab on Instagram: @AllThings_Ab
-Join/Donate to Abi's All Stars for the Sept. 14 Teal Trot 5K Walk/Run  https://raceroster.com/events/2019/22757/georgia-ovarian-cancer-alliance-teal-trot-5k-walkrun/pledge/team/197826?fbclid=IwAR2amDcwmkzPQAXEVEQoW-50szLSpmKjPKUnVVLyN2Ha3ROTrIdBEXbRpbg

#30DaysOfTeal Day 6 All Things Ab is Growing

Hi everyone! Welcome to day 6 and Happy National Wear Teal Day!

Did you wear your teal today? Show me in the comments below. Chris did!!

Today I wanted to slow down with the medical jargon and not throw so much information at you for a nice little break. However, so that you can still get something out of day 6 and so that I can still contribute to the 30 days in this series, I will still be sharing some info at the end!

For now, I wanted to share 5 updates for the All Things Ab fam.

First, I am currently seeking individuals who are interested in submitting a guest post to the All Things Ab blog. You can be a friend, family member, survivor, patient, caretaker, spouse, general supporter, or a curious and generous mind.

If you need help picking a topic, I'm always up for a good little chat with you. I am leaving the first round of guest posts open to those willing to contribute, so pick a topic, write out some thoughts, and email me abimarmuro@gmail.com! Don't be shy.

Second, the blog will be moving over to a more professional platform on November 10th! This day will mark two years since that glorious phone call revealing my clean CT scan after I finished chemotherapy. As a celebratory gesture to myself, I thought it was the perfect time to take this 'baby' of mine to bigger and better levels.

I think we can all agree that this blog isn't the most compatible with mobile devices and isn't the prettiest to look at even on a desktop. The new site will have better features, more widgets, and easier accessibility and readability. Big things are in store for the new site and I want that reflected in how I interact with my readers. If you are contributing to guest posts, just know that all of that will be transferred over to the new site as well.

Third, if you didn't already know, All Things Ab has its own Instagram page! I've had so much fun interacting with different people in the week that it's been up and running, and challenging myself to get creative and more interactive in both my marketing strategy and my social goals for this brand.

I've found so many other great young adult survivor blogs and pages that I hope to work with someday and create something big and meaningful for those in this underserved community. One day, I'll share more about these brands and people, and hopefully, they'll contribute to the All Things Ab fam too!

Check out @AllThings_Ab on Instagram if you're interested!

Fourth, I had an ultrasound this morning for routine follow-up care on a polyp found in my gallbladder last year. I've been asymptomatic and feeling just fine, but I, along with my healthcare team, felt comforted by checking one last time that nothing has grown or changed or moved around in there. Cross your fingers for good news as the results will be in next week.

And last but not least, there are only four more days to register online to join and/or donate the Abi's All-Stars team for GOCA's Teal Trot 5K Walk/Run next Saturday, Sept. 14, in Atlanta! Please do so before Tuesday as it's [mybirthday] the last day to contribute online!!!

So far, my team has raised almost half of its fundraising goal!

For more information, please visit my team's webpage: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/22757/georgia-ovarian-cancer-alliance-teal-trot-5k-walkrun/pledge/team?id=67

Did you know?

A BRCA gene mutation is not only associated with breast cancer risk, but also ovarian cancer?


A BRCA gene mutation (the same gene mutation Angelina Jolie has) is often discussed in the media alongside an increased risk of getting breast cancer. If you have a BRCA gene mutation, you have a 35-60% increase of developing ovarian cancer too. BRCA gene mutations can be hereditary. 

To explore your family history, consider discussing genetic testing with your gynecologist or primary care physician. 

I'll be sharing my experience with genetic testing next week!

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

#30DaysOfTeal Day 4&5 Ten Ways to Simplify Your Life

PC: Matthew Henry

Welcome to Day 5 of my 30 Days of Teal series on All Things Ab.

If you've been following this series during its first week, you would have noticed that there was no blog post yesterday for Day 4. So today, I'm writing an update and a post for a combined Day 4&5.

It's pretty ironic that the day I was supposed to start the prevention side of this series -- specifically about the importance of lowering stress -- I was stressed. So stressed that I couldn't write a blog post.

But I'm okay, and I'm sorry to have been MIA yesterday. We're rhyming now!

But seriously, yesterday was my day off -- the funniest part -- and it was the busiest day I've had in a while. Sure, I've had longer to-do lists on other days these past few weeks, but yesterday was a different beast.

And I think it's important to be transparent with you all because we're all human. We have bad days.

Yesterday was a bad day because I let it be.

I had meeting after meeting -- after meeting -- and they all fell through. Everyone canceled on me, and although that sounds great for someone who has a bunch of other things to do, I obviously could not complete those tasks still as I was prepared to be in meetings -- not checking off tasks on my to-do list.

On top of that? Wedding drama. (A story for another day)

All in all, I had a bad day. I had a very real day that we all have time to time, and I think it makes the next few items in this blog post all the more important.

It brings home the fact that we all can use some simplifying in our lives. It's the third week of school, y'all, I shouldn't be this stressed. I need to simplify.

Maybe you find yourself in the same boat, or maybe, you don't even know what you need right now until you do it. So consider the following suggestions regardless of your status right now. They could never hurt (unless done in excess, because that wouldn't be simplifying at that point).

Stress has been known to contribute to and speed up the onset of disease. One of the best ways I've learned to deal with stress, busy schedules, headaches, long to-do lists, overwhelm and general bad days is to work toward simplifying different aspects of my life.

I firmly believe that if I would have simplified my life while going through the process of being diagnosed with cancer (instead of picking up that third job on top of school), my tumor would not have grown so quickly. Of course, that's a big fat assumption, but I wouldn't be the only case to have seen positive correlations regarding tumors and stress.

Even if you don't have cancer, or you aren't a gold star candidate for the "Big C," still take these suggestions into consideration as heart disease is correlated even stronger with stress. We are all at risk for something out there, and I'd hate for anything to happen to anyone because they failed to attempt simplifying their life.

So how can you?

The short answer:
1. Identify what's important to you
2. Eliminate everything else

However, we all can agree that life isn't always that simple. So try these 10 things to help you simplify your life a little more:

1. Declutter your closet 
Seriously, just do it. Everyone is. So should you. (So should I...)

2. Create a capsule wardrobe
Eliminate your options to prevent decision fatigue. This has been a goal of mine for a while! Once you've decluttered your closet, try to curate a wardrobe with multifunctional pieces. In the ultimate capsule wardrobe, you would only have 20 items of clothing that could make hundreds of different outfit ideas. The key is choosing neutral colors and patterns that match.

3. Unsubscribe from emails
BRB doing that right now because wow. Did I mention I manage 5 different email accounts? Not the definition of simplified.

4. Schedule meetings with yourself
Make this an unavoidable part of your week, or even your day! Use it how you wish, but try blocking off some time to catch up with yourself. How are you feeling? Did you eat today? Do you need to catch your breath or return your grandma's phone call? Decompress. Spend time alone. Get to know yourself! Rest.

5. Create a simplicity statement
Declare what a simplified life means to you. And stand by it! Once you admit your life isn't a simple as you'd like it to be, you're in a prime position to take action to rectify that situation. You need to identify where you want to be and what you are working toward. Once you have your statement(s), put it in a place where you'll read it frequently.

6. Eat slowly
Perhaps an extension of #4, but an important one. I'm always intrigued by the available research revealing the positive effects on your mind and body when you eat slowly, and without distractions. Mealtimes are some of the most vital times in the day, not only for your physical/nutritional benefit, but also for your social benefit with yourself and others. Take the time to eat with people, enjoy your food, be thankful that it's available, and tune in to how your day (or your company's day) is going.

7. Simplify your goals
I get it. It's hard living in this fast-paced, hypercompetitive society we live in today. It fosters this toxic "hustle" culture. But I'm here to tell you it's better to have two really solid goals than a bunch of just-okay goals. Simplify your goals. Break them down into tangible steps instead of these daunting beasts we have to face in order to earn that checkmark. Tailor them to YOU.

8. Fill your day with simple pleasures
Walk barefoot in the grass. Take a new road to work. Listen to good music in the car. Make popcorn and watch a movie. Take an afternoon nap. Feel the sun on your skin. Write on good paper with a good pen. Try a new coffee shop. Watch the clouds. Make someone smile. Enjoy the little things!

9. Leave space around things in your day
Some of my most overwhelming days are the ones where I schedule it a little like this:

• 7:30am Wake up and shower
• 7:45am Put on makeup
• 8am Make breakfast
• 8:15am Walk out the door

What about the time it takes me to walk? To get from point A to point B? To trip over my own feet occasionally? Leave space around the things scheduled in your day because the last thing you need is back-to-back meetings with no time to eat or pee or think or regain your sanity. Give yourself that cushion.

10. Always ask yourself: will this simplify my life?
If the answer is no, reconsider it immediately.

I know for me, I'm going to mute my emails and watch the Packer game tonight with my family. What are you going to do? Let me know in the comments below.

Take care of yourselves,

Abi

#30DaysOfTeal Teal Tuesday: How to Contribute this National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Last year's GOCA Teal Trot 5K Walk/Run

Welcome to Day 3 of my #30DaysofTeal series!

This Teal Tuesday comes at you with the reminder that there is only one week left to register online for the GOCA Teal Trot 5K Run/Walk in Atlanta! Today also marks one week until my birthday, but that's in other news.

For the second year in a row, I will be participating in the GOCA Teal Trot 5K Run/Walk in Atlanta, which will be Saturday, September 14, at Chastain Park. My team, Abi's All Star's, has a goal to fundraise $200 this year, and I would really appreciate your support.

Proceeds from the event will support and expand the statewide Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance Education & Awareness, and Patient Outreach programs. Last year, the event raised over $65,000! There were 1005 participants in the walk and it is the largest ovarian cancer awareness and fundraising event in the state of Georgia.

I am inviting absolutely everyone to join my team, donate, and/or walk with us next Saturday.

If you're looking for a way to put your heart into the movement, consider joining my team and donating today!

Last year, my dad and I walked the race and actually had a nice morning walking through Chastain Park in Atlanta. Lots of cute dogs there too!

It's important to get involved this September and it's also important to know where your money and thoughts are going when you donate to charities.

2018 Teal Trot

GOCA's mission is "to increase awareness and educate women, their families, as well as the health care community about risks, symptoms, and treatment of ovarian cancer leading to earlier detection."

Currently, due to the lack of federal and local funding and support, awareness of gynecological cancers is not at the forefront of women's health issues. With your help this September, we can all help change that for the future.

So far, the 2019 GOCA Teal Trot 5K Walk/Run has raised $85,330.06 of its $150,000 Goal!

Don't forget to see if your employer has a donation matching program. For this, they will need to know: Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Tax ID Number 58-2424106, Address 6065 Roswell Rd, Suite 512, Sandy Springs GA 30328 [Different than the race address], Phone 404.255.1337, GaOvarianCancer.org.

To donate to my team, please visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/22757/georgia-ovarian-cancer-alliance-teal-trot-5k-walkrun/pledge/team/67


Other ways you can get involved this month include:

• Volunteering for an event surrounding gynecological cancers
• Attending a supporting event this fall
• Listening to other survivors and what they have to offer
• Sharing awareness information and resources
• Speaking with your local influencers of healthcare policy
• Becoming a corporate sponsor of an event/foundation
• Donating more than just September (weekly, monthly)
• Engaging in preventative medicine with your own health and family

Let me know how you are participating in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the comments below! Have questions? Also put those in the comments, and I'd be happy to chat with you!

Take care,

Abi

To donate to my team, please visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/22757/georgia-ovarian-cancer-alliance-teal-trot-5k-walkrun/pledge/team/67

#30DaysOfTeal My Cancer Resume -- All Things Ab

Abigail M.

abimarmuro@gmail.com

Somewhere in the world of survivorship

Skilled in advocating for patient rights and preventative medicine. Experienced survivor with knowledge of slowing down and listening to your body. Notable vegetarian in sustainable consumption. Ability to recognize what's important in life and that it's time to start living.

Personal Information:______________________________________

Date of Birth: Sept. 10, 1996

Place of Birth: Wisconsin

Life Experience:___________________________________________

American Cancer Society

Ovarian Cancer Patient

Overlooked missed periods Sept. 2016-Mar. 2017

Diagnosed July 26, 2017

Underwent chemotherapy Aug.-Oct. 2017

NED since Nov. 2017

History:__________________________________________________

Fall 2016-Spring 2017:

Series of missed periods

Uterine/pelvic ultrasound

May 2017:

Mass found on left ovary in ultrasound

Referral to oncologist

July 10-11 2017:

Exploratory surgery and tumor removal

Left ovary and fallopian tube removed with stubborn tumor

Stayed overnight with complications due to anesthesia

July 26 2017:

Oncologist confirmed malignancy with staging from Mayo Clinic

Stage I Grade IIa Sertoli Leydig Cell Tumor of the left ovary

August 2017:

Began three rounds chemotherapy - Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin

Prescribed 24/7 nausea patch

September 2017:

Lost hair

Complications with blood cell counts

Weekly shots of Neupogen to increase white blood cell formation

October 2017:

Finished extended chemotherapy schedule

November 8 2017:

CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis

November 10 2017: 

Call confirmed No Evidence of Disease (NED)

February 2018:

Hair started growing in

May 2018:

CT scan to follow up six months post-treatment

Polyp in gallbladder

August 2018:

Ultrasound followup on gallbladder polyp

No growth

November 2018:

One year NED

July 2019:

Two years post-diagnosis

August 2019:

Memory problems continue - "Chemo Brain"

Present:

Balancing fine lines between patient, person and advocate
_______________________________________________

Now on Instagram! @AllThings_Ab

PC: Nicole De Khors

Goodbye August: Hello Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Welcome to my 30 Days of Teal series!

August has come and gone, and thank goodness because it was the longest and most crazy months of 2019. I moved across the country again, started my new position as editor-in-chief of my university's newspaper, and began the final fall semester of my undergraduate career. The good news is I hit the two-year mark since my diagnosis!

But what about September?

September is my favorite. What's not to love? Football, my birthday, childhood cancer awareness, and perhaps closer to home -- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

New headshot for the paper!
PC: Kevin Barrett

This month deserves way more attention than it gets, especially as everyone's minds are clouded with the return of football and a new academic year, right before everyone starts to "think pink" for October. But what about the world's "silent killer" for women?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20,418 new cases of ovarian cancer were reported in 2016, the latest year for which incidence data are available for 100 percent of the population. In the US alone, 14,223 women died of ovarian cancer, and for every 100,000 women in the US, 10 new cases were reported.

And it happens to more than just our beloved elderly.

I was diagnosed two years ago, right before my 21st birthday. Definitely not your traditional candidate for this kind of cancer, but silent it indeed was. I had no symptoms or warning signs, and I really didn't have any checkmarks in the risk factors column other than stress.

Ask yourself, how much do you know about gynecologic cancers? Take this CDC quiz to test yourself. More importantly, schedule an annual exam with your gynecologist. They're not that scary, I promise. And everyone needs one. Your health is an investment.

Ovarian cancer, and all of its specific little kinds, has no known cause to this day. This makes knowing the risk factors an imperative part of every woman's knowledge. Risk factors include:

• Age: the older you are, the more risk you naturally pose in being diagnosed due to hormones
• Genetics: If you didn't pick your parents well enough... kidding! Our genes know and control our [good and bad] fate before we even exist
• Family history of ovarian or breast cancer: increases your risk. You should let your medical care team aware of your history as you may need to start your screening at a younger age
• Previous medical conditions of the reproductive system

Additionally, the use of fertility treatments, estrogen hormone replacement therapy, and/or lack of pregnancy may also increase your risk.

Ovarian cancer is known to be deadly because in its early stages, it shows little to no signs or symptoms. It often goes undetected until its too late and spreads to the abdomen and pelvis.

It's called the "Silent Killer" in women for many reasons. First, even in its late stages, ovarian cancer mimics non-life threatening conditions. Symptoms such as discomfort, bloating, swelling, frequent urination, weight loss and constipation are among the many things a proper diagnosis is mistaken for.  Second, the disease is very hard to diagnose.  The lack of effective screenings makes early detection difficult.

Pay attention to your body; know what is normal for you. Make healthy lifestyle choices. (such as: eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; exercise regularly; maintain a healthy weight; avoid smoking; and practice safe sex.). Know your family health history. Share it with your doctor. Get the HPV vaccine if you are at an age when it is recommended. Get screened for cervical cancer regularly.

Quick Facts to know according to the NOCC:

• All women are at risk
• An estimated 1 in 78 women will develop cancer in her lifetime
• A pap smear test will not detect ovarian cancer
• Number 1 cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths
• Fifth leading cause of all cancer-related deaths
• When diagnosed and treated in the early stages, the 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer is 90%

Take the quiz to find your risk.

If reading any of this concerned you, please know that I am here to talk. Listen to your body, call your doctor to schedule an appointment, print and fill out this very helpful resource to bring to your appointment.

I hope my 30 Days of Teal series helps educate and bring all of us closer as we learn more about this aggressive disease. You can expect to read more about my story, my cause, and my hopes for the future for myself, those trying to prevent disease, and other survivors alike. Future posts include how to help yourself or others through chronic illness, how to donate to those in need, and other things the community needs bringing to the light. I will be sharing resources, research articles, events and [hopefully] insightful pieces to get you thinking and moving toward spreading awareness of ovarian cancer.

Make sure to sign up for email notifications in the sidebar for every time I post throughout this series, and before you forget, make sure to visit my GOCA Teal Trot 5K run/walk page to join or donate!

Know that you have my support as a resource who's been there before. Don't be afraid to reach out!

Take care of yourselves,

Abi