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Chris Kolesnik and Howard Bailey |
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On September 11, 2008, Chris Kolesnik was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a diagnosis that came after multiple and varied doctor’s visits and a battery of tests. After surgery had confirmed the cancer had not spread outside her pelvis, Chris began chemo treatments in October.
One year prior, in September of 2007, Chris’s Husband, Howard Bailey, developed Temporal Arteritis and lost partial vision in his right eye. Fortunately the doctors were able to save his vision in his left. This year brought additional problems with both of his eyes, resulting in a recent surgery for cataracts. Howard is now doing better and is able to drive, read, and continue on his life as before.
Below Chris shares her thoughts as she contemplates what things life has taught her.
Here's what I've learned about life:
Life has a way of pulling the rug out from under you (or ambushing you!) from time to time.
Having cancer is not my fault…it is not a punishment and not contagious! Let it go, and concentrate on surviving.
Cancer keeps you very busy. (chemo, Dr. visits, personal research, napping, search for "self", etc.)
Strange as it sounds…I have met some incredible people (that I might never have met) BECAUSE I have cancer. There are some truly wonderful people in this world (friends, colleagues, clients, the Dana Farber folks, my Dry Cleaner (yes you heard me), store clerks, my therapist…even complete strangers. The list is long.
Dana Farber rocks! They are an amazing team of dedicated doctors nurses and technicians.
If you open yourself to others….chances are they will respond in kind. And you will learn so much from them. (Note: Sometimes it doesn't work!...It's "their" problem…not yours, just don't take it personally).
Ask for help (as a recovering perfectionist this was really hard for me to do!)
Cancer (in all its various forms and stages) is so much more prevalent than I had ever realized. It touches so many families and individuals.
Ovarian cancer is considered "the silent killer". I think that I, we and the rest of the world need to change that. I know Dana Farber iscontinually working on research. But getting the early warning signs "out there" is critical. I need to use my creativity to find a way to help…
I am still learning… - Chris
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