I lost my mother almost 3 year ago to recurrent cervical cancer. In 1984, was the 1st time she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. At that time, she had a radical total abdominal hysterectomy along with radiation treatments. She ended up having some complications from that surgery, but all was mended and she remained cancer-free for 21 years. Until she was diagnosed with a recurrance of cervical cancer in 2005. By the time Mom went to the doctor (after she had been showing signs, like vaginal bleeding for many months), the cancer was already at stage 3. The only options were a full pelvic exeneration surgery (which the doctors said she more than likely wouldn't survive due to other health issues) or chemotheraphy (which they said would not be a curative, but would postpone the inevitable by about 15%) or she could do nothing (which they only gave her about a 6 month outlook at best). Mom opted for the chemo. She received chemo every 3 weeks over a 3 day period each treatment for about 2 1/2 years before she had to be hospitalized for the last time. During her 2 month hospitalization, she was too weak to receive chemo so the cancer spread. It eventually caused a fistula (hole) between her bladder and colon. So, that she wouldn't suffer from this, the doctors thought it best to performed a colostomy on her. Surprisingly, she survived this surgery and even showed some signs of progress......but without receiving chemo for almost 2 months, pallative (hospice) care was prescribed. Mom went from the hospital to a long-term treatment facilty for 1 month (while hospice arrangemnents were being made - Mom hadn't accepted this yet).......after her acceptance and decision, she finally was sent to the hospice facility.....where surprisingly, she hung on for another 5 weeks before she finally passed on April 24, 2008 at the young age of 65. I am writing you of my mother's story, to prove the point that your message of EARLY DETECTION is key!! If my mother would have followed that message, I strongly believe she would still be here with us! There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about her and miss her terribly!! At first I was mad at her for not going to the doctor sooner, but with all the struggle I saw her go thru just to spend one more day of living, she became my HERO!! So, to everyone out there that is afraid of going to the doctor because they are afraid of getting a cancer diagnosis.....think of your loved ones. If you don't go for yourself......do it for them!!!
Written in tribute to Valerie Lea Verdin, 6/11/1942 to 4/24/2008 of Hiram, Georgia. Survived by husband, Robert L. Verdin, Jr, of Hiram, GA, children Kimberly and Tom Arnett of Acworth, GA, Lori and Robert L. Verdin, III, of Dallas, GA as well as sister Denise Kouril of Bay Shore, NY.
Thank you all for all the fabulous work you do!! Hopefully, if by the telling of my mother's story can help get 1 person to go to the doctor for early detection and help save a life, then reliving the pain of her loss again was well worth it.
- KIM
