In June 2000 I was diagnosed with having the "RARE" female cancer called vulvar cancer. I found my whole world turned upside down in the space of time it took to take a phone call from my OBGYN. I tried talking with family and friends, but I felt I also had to put on a much braver face than I felt and I had so many questions that no one had the answers to. Questions like, what will this do to my marriage? What will happen to my body now? How can I have sex? What will I look like? How do I get through this nightmare and keep my sanity? How will my life change now? What can I expect? What have the Drs not told me or cant tell me? I had SO many questions and NO answers and NO where to get them.
My once strong, self-confident could conquer anything attitude just flew right out the window. Now I found that for the first time in my life I not only needed someone, I also wanted someone in my life that had walked this walk before me and could show me the way. I had a desperate feeling of being all-alone with no answers anywhere in sight.
It was at this lowest time in my life that I made the decision that NO-ONE else would have to face this walk alone or not have a place to find others who know and understand what they are going through and at this time I understood my purpose from this whole nightmare was to create a safe heaven for others who would surely follow in my footsteps. To bring education and light to the dark secrets of vulvar cancers and the emotional baggage that follows.
So that's the story of how WomenConqueringCancer.org got started in July 2001! Build and they will come! Come, they did in droves, our membership has been over 200 members since early on and grows weekly. I may have founded the WomenConqueringCancer.org but it's all the moderators who put their heart and soul into it that keeps the purpose alive and well everyday for others to find and recover and then help the next girl that comes along.
WomenConqueringCancer.org is my life now and I can't imagine my life without it now. The worst time in my life brought about the best thing in my life.
Love,
Marie Foster
WomenConqueringcancer.org founder 2001
Cervical and vulvar cancer survivor
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I have been with "Women Conquering Cancer" since day one, I was truly honored that Marie asked me to join and moderate. The ladies are always there for me and they have become such a big part of my life. I can't imagine not being a part of this great family!
I was a complete mess back in 1999 when I learned I had severe vulvar dysplasia (VIN III) and HPV. I went through my first surgery alone. I felt like a freak since no one I knew had ever heard of it before, not one family member or friend knew you could cancer down "there" nor did they know you could get cancer from a sexually transmitted disease (HPV). I felt alone, guilty, embarrassed, confused, ugly, weak, and scared. Too many emotions all at once! I finally found my sanity through this group.
My hope is that NO woman ever has to feel like I did.
I hope in some small way I can give back to other ladies what I have been given over the years. I have gathered strength, friendship, information, and the will to keep on going despite whatever life throws at me. I hope by sharing what I have learned and my experience that other newly diagnosed women can see that there is light at the end of the tunnel too. They CAN get through it and learn to accept their disease.
In many ways my health problems have been a blessing, without them I would have never been a part of this group. I would not have the extraordinary friendships I have or be who I am today, for this I am thankful.
Mel
A Senior Moderator
Cervical, Vulvar, & Anal Dysplasia
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I've been a member of Women Conquering Cancer since February 9th of 2003. It has become the best and most important thing to me in that time.
I joined to help support other wonderful ladies going through the same thing I am, and to help support those that just need a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen.
I was diagnosed with recurring cin back in 92, then dealt with endo and adeno for two years.. My treatment led me to having a hysterectomy.
Recently, I've been diagnosed with hpv, low risk.
I also became a moderator in February of 2003. The task of being a moderator is an awesome one. I am able to help my fellow sisters in need, and help keep calm on the list when things may get out of control. You are only as strong as your leader and fellow coworkers. The Mod team of the WCC is the best!!
The sisters have always been there for me, and have always been my rock when I felt like I was losing touch with my sanity.
Karin Parrish
Moderator
Cin/endo&adeno/Hpv
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I was diagnosed with VIN in 1999. I did not know much about it at all,
having never heard of it, and at the time the doctor acted as if it was
something I could just have removed by laser and then I would be fine
again. She even said the only reason she was sending me to a gyn
oncologist was because she did not do the laser surgery. I went
through laser surgery and learning that I not only had vin2 but vin3 and the healing from it with just the support of my family. Later that year I
learned that I then had micro-invasive vulva cancer in addition to vin
in the same area, showing that they had not gotten it all the first
time. I again went through another surgery with just the support of my
family. When it seemed I might be facing more, I searched for and
found ladies that were going throug the same things as me and it felt so good to not be "alone" any more.
When Marie started women conquering cancer, I was honored to be asked to come with her and be a moderator and to be a part of this wonderful support group from the start. I do not want any woman to have to go through this alone as I felt that I did. Yes my family support was
wonderful but they also did not have the knowledge of this disease. I
hope that I can give to other women what I have received ten-fold from
this wonderful group of women. It has been over 4 years now since I
have had a recurrence and I hope that my remaining recurrence free
gives hope to other women as well.
While I wish at times that I had never had to go through the trials
with this disease, I am also thankful for it as it has put me in touch with
some wonderful women, some of whom I feel as close to as I would a
sister. I feel I have gained lifelong friendships so good things can
come from bad things.
Holly
a Senior Moderator
VC
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