Originally posted on the Sharon Leigh Ovarian Cancer Foundation website.

Why I created this foundation and website is relatively simple to put into words, the real issue is not so simple. I want to help save women's lives through education...

That sounds uncomplicated with a very big exception... it's not!

I have found that reeducating women is not that easy. We still think that our doctors are infallible, we think what he or she says is gold. After all they are the educated ones with medical degrees.

There have been times when women have approached me with this comment:
"Why didn't I listen to you?"

There is not a lot you can say when the damage is done, ovarian cancer has hit the unexpected target, and the fight for life has begun. My personal fight began when my sister died from Ovarian cancer, then I was diagnosed with the same cancer. I fortunately had listened when my sister advised me to get three tests she had not heard of. I did as she suggested. When I was diagnosed my cancer was in Stage 1. It is very rare to find ovarian cancer in the earliest of stages.

Judy advised me to get three specific tests which I had never heard of.

I followed her advice about early ovarian cancer detection for eight years. For eight years I was tested and was found to be cancer free. Until one day in April of 2004, my gynecologist said he saw something through a pelvic ultrasound, during my ovarian cancer detection checkup, on my right ovary and wanted to get a better look. I was diagnosed with 1st. Stage Ovarian cancer.

This type of a discovery is almost unheard of as ovarian cancer is usually found in the 3rd. Or 4th stage (114).

My sister died from this terrible disease, it was because of her warnings that I am alive today to tell my story , to fight for early detection and to raise funds for the research needed to save the lives of women all over the world. I do not believe that we women should be given a death sentence because of a lack of the ability to detect ovarian cancer in the first stages.

There have been so many breakthrough’s with early detection of Breast cancer that I feel we are close but are still struggling to find that one crucial test/biomarker.

In America in the year 2009, 21,500 women were diagnosed with Ovarian cancer 14,600 that’s 75% of the women died.

The tests you should be asking for are these:
1. Pelvic exam
2. Pelvic ultra sound
3. CA 125 blood test
Never get these test alone always these three tests together. False readings do occur.

Side note: ask your doctor what the reading is on the CA 125, don't be left in the dark regarding the number this will keep you advised on your health. Anything over 35 is dangerous. This alone can be a false reading, that's why you have to be aware and knowledgeable.

Our foundation continues to grow, we have had three successful golf tournaments raising approximately $140,000. (Note: total life time amount raised about $200,000) We have scheduled a Fashion/Luncheon soon with guest speakers, again with the purpose of education. Our goal is to have two to three of these luncheons per year along with the golf tournament.

Blessings,
Sharon Leigh

That's putting it mildly, can anyone be inspired when they hear the words "Your cancer is back?" I suspected it just didn't want to hear it.

It was just last March 2016 when I finished chemotherapy and radiation treatments or the so called "therapy treatments". I guess that wording is designed to sound more like physical therapy and when you're finished you'll look and feel much better. We all know that's a joke.

It takes months to feel and look better, it was once said to me after losing so much weight that I was model thin. She was being very sweet, I was gaunt looking and very weak.

I joined a gym, hired a personal trainer whom I admired, then in a conversation discovered he lost his wife to Ovarian cancer. Another designed appointment by our God, this man knew my pain and suffering, his work-out program was perfectly outlined for me based on my strength and ability.

I became strong again, we focused on my upcoming ski trip to Whistler Canada, I've never been to Canada, I'm looking forward to this trip.

A couple of weeks ago the blood test CA125 indicated a rise in number, I visited my oncologist, shared my concerns with him and then was told what I have always been told: the numbers were not in the so called zone of numbers. I'm not criticizing my Doctor, I feel he is very qualified, they are all stuck in the zone of the CA125 number of 35!! This number has never been accurate for me.

He arranged for a second blood test in two weeks, then agreed there was activity that I should contact my Primary specialist at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. Which I did.

Cedars Sinai is a great hospital, I don't think I can find enough words of praise for them. My Doctor is one of the most compassionate women I've known.

Early in the morning I had the discomfort of the dreaded Pet Scan, my appointment with the Doctor wasn't until that afternoon, I have a wonderful friend by the name of Mary Poppen (she receives lots of comments on what a good friend she is). Mary has been with me each time I've received the worst news, I try to keep my family out of the initial shock as my older sister is very emotional, we have already lost our other sister to this disease. This puts Mary on a spot as she is good friends with my sister.

So getting back to the wait; Mary and I met for lunch after she finally found the restaurant I was in - Cedars is a huge center. I was starving, fasting isn't my strong suit, the Asian salad was delicious.

There I sat on the exam table waiting for my Doctor, she hugs me then sat down and asked how I was, I answered "I'll be fine if you tell me the cancer is not back."

That didn't happen, it's back in several places, small tumors but still cancer. Neck, lymph nodes,tThyroid and stomach. A lot to absorb.

Treatment options - chemotherapy was first choice. No to that! I can't do that again. I chose radiation and immune therapy. With a lot of prayer added into the treatments. She did say the tumors were very small but they are there, this is my choice for the fight.

I have a lot to accomplish, I'm still going skiing, then in May I'll be watching my granddaughter graduate from high school. I'm very proud of my two granddaughters as one is in Cal-Poly and this one who is graduating will be attending Boise state. I have bragging rights.

Life moves on, sickness attacks, whatever trials we go through Jesus is always with us, we have His promise that He will never leave us.

Regardless of how difficult the journey is. Stay strong, believe in Him, King David never let go of His God throughout Saul's 11 year war against him.

In Jesus,
Sharon Leigh

I finished chemotherapy one year ago on October 28, 2015. I was incredibly happy that terrible ordeal is over with and all I had to go through and finish was radiation. 28 days of radiation behind me, I was given a certificate of completion. As if I've received my diploma from high school. I actually thought it was kind of a sweet gesture.

Maybe sweet is not the right adjective, it works for me.

The next day I signed up with a new fitness center and a personal trainer, I was determined o get back in shape, my goal was a snow skiing trip and the last thing I wanted to happen was to fall and break something, even worse I didn't want my friend to think I couldn't keep up with her. Pride is terrible!!

I'm sure she would have understood. Oh well, I did fall once, pretty good considering what I had gone through for most of the year.

Our Christmas was wonderful, my family gets larger each year. Granddaughters seem to continually get pregnant. It causes me to think, "WOW " I'm getting old.

2016

I felt the need to take trips, just to get out of that house I had been a virtual prisoner in. On my first trip my daughter Sheryll and I visited her dad in Parker, Arizona, a great week of water skiing.

Sheryll and I are very close, she stayed with me during the entire time I was fighting my battles with cancer. We have a lot of fun together. Sheryll along with my granddaughter and myself went to Cabo San Lucas this year. This was probably the best trip I've had there in all of the years I've owned my condo. I zip lined and loved it.

Next trip was back to Parker with relatives for more water skiing. Again lots of fun, this time instead of skiing we rode on Jet skis. I think it's my new passion. With that said I did buy one ??.

I did step out when the opportunity arose to run for a seat on our City Council, I filed all of the paperwork, built my Facebook, prepared my web site, all of the necessary steps I would have to complete for the big run, then based on numbers I was receiving from blood tests I felt the pressure of a lengthy campaign run would not be beneficial to my healing, too much stress. So I reluctantly backed out of the race, when I sent my notice to all the necessary parties, I was told by the Mayor, I had been in first place to win. Quite the compliment!

Any planning on future events with my foundation were put on hold for awhile. There's always next year.

We are now headed into the end of the year 2016. On October 31st. I received a phone call from Sheryll which I could hardly understand, when I finally did get a grip on what she was trying to tell me the news was devastating, My grandson Dalton, and Sheryll's only son was found dead. She was inconsolable, the details are horrible I won't go into them, They live in Hawaii, I'm with her now, we are leaving for California on the 10th of November for another memorial service and some time away from here.

I'll end here with this thought for all of us. Show your children how much you love them always, we have no idea what our future holds. Trust in God, He knows our hearts, the extent of His Love we will never understand while we are here on earth, if we have to face what Sheryll has had to go through, remember the pain goes away the memories never leave, the Sun will rise again tomorrow.

In Jesus,
Sharon Leigh

What to do with my life after latest bout with ovarian cancer stage III?

A lot of thought goes into this, I'm sure it's the same for you. I ask myself repeatedly why me? Why am I still here? What do I do with the rest of my life? Why is it that I ask why? Maybe because I lost my beloved sister to ovarian cancer and I'm still here. I felt she had so much to offer the world and what did I have to offer? (terrible personal criticism). Why do we have to be so hard on ourselves!

I have reached a couple of disappointing times that I really have to get over, it's not good to keep looking back. Forward is the only way. I believe that my God has other directions for me since He knows I love serving Him.

I think what has hurt me is in the last 10 year, through the grace of God, I started two international business's. Both of them were very successful, until that second diagnosis of cancer. This last round of treatments almost killed me. I was compelled to turn over both enterprises allowing others to take over the reins. The results were disastrous, businesses cannot be run properly with a hostile board of directors. (I'm sharing way too much).

I am strong though, I'm a tough fighter, I don't give up easily, if God is for us who can be against us! I love that scripture. Although I still feel ravaged by this cancer the results are good, but because I am a woman, I wish my skin would've held up better. Lol

I'm enjoying my friends, entertaining, I've taken several trips this year with two more coming later this year. Getting more involved in politics, which I find interesting. My goal is to continue on with fundraising directed at research for ovarian cancer.

Most importantly I want to teach and speak on the wonders of our Lord Jesus Christ. I especially love traveling to share with women. It seems everything I do is always focused on women. I feel we women respond with our hearts a lot faster than men.

Keep me in prayer please, I pray for beautiful blessings on you all.

In Jesus
Sharon Leigh

Tuesday April 12th was a day I looked forward to and feared at the same time, it was the day I would receive either good news or very dark news. The dreaded Pet scan. I had to drive three hours from my house in Arroyo Grande to Beverly Hills California for the appointment scheduled for 10:00 am, so, as usual, I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 2:00 am instead of the 5:00 am my alarm was set for.

Driving into Los Angeles is always a nightmare with bumper to bumper traffic, this alone wears on ones nerves, then once again I found myself lost in L.A. It always adds to the downward drop of my nervous system and the rise of my blood pressure if I hadn't been so fearful of the outcome I'm sure my day would have started out much better.

But it was my life I have been fighting for and the battle had taken a year. The outcome would determine for me if I would give up or continue on. I had already decided not to continue the battle, after the excruciating round of chemotherapy then hearing the cancer was still there I was devastated. It seemed this ugly invasion in my body was winning and I was losing. Cancer had attacked my body three times by now, for me it seemed the time to say I'm through.

Radiation was the next logical step so I was off on a new venture. This was a first for me, 28 days of treatments, five days a week, wasn't bad at all. I was very anxious to end all treatments and understandably so. My life had become doctors appointments, blood tests, pet scans, shots, exams along with blood transfusions. Ugh!

Preparation for a pet scan takes about one and a half hours, the scan itself is 30 minutes. Then you wait...

Fortunately Cedars -Sinai hospital is so sophisticated your results are almost immediate, I saw my Doctor that afternoon, my first reaction was to try and read her expression when she entered the exam room, Dr. Walsh is pretty crafty, I couldn't read her face, immediately though she said "Your cancer is gone". When you develop a relationship with your doctor they get just as excited as you are regarding the outcome. Dr. Walsh commented she could hardly wait to give me the news, she then hugged me twice. I'm very blessed to have her as my surgeon and oncologist.

My God brought me through yet another trying time in my life, He's there in the darkest of times when it seems you have been abandoned, King David felt that way in his battles, he cried out "Arise oh Lord " deliver me. Our God is faithful He will deliver you, trust in Him for your health and salvation.

I'm off to Cabo San Lucas for some much needed rest, my daughter, and granddaughter are meeting me there. I'm so blessed to have children and grandchildren who love me and pray for me.

In Jesus
Sharon Leigh

I first read about Riley in our local newspaper. Riley lives about 40 miles from where I live, her discovery of ovarian cancer at only 18 years old had to have been a nightmare beyond any we can imagine. Reading her blogs has and is an inspirational read. I know you'll be touched by this as I was. Read one of Riley's posts below.
Sharon Leigh

It has been about a week since my surgery and I am still in shock with everything that has happened since that first visit to the doctor… but especially at the miracles Dr. O’Hanlan made happen! I see such a huge difference in my stomach now that all the tumors are removed and although I don’t know the severity of my diagnosis yet, I am feeling so much better. Thank you so much to everyone who commented and left encouraging words. Reading all of your personal stories and battles with cancer has reminded me I’m not alone, that there is hope, and to stay strong even as this journey begins for me.

The fear I have has not gone away, due to so many unanswered questions, but reading and talking to people I can relate to really has helped. Although everyone’s support has made my outlook on this situation so much brighter, I still cannot believe this is my life…

It’s crazy to me to think that three short weeks ago I was living my life just like any other teenage girl and now I am here desperately waiting for results to tell me how bad my CANCER is. It seems so unreal. I remember when I first heard the doctor say the word “Cancer” in the same sentence as my name. My life flashed before my eyes and I did not know what to do next. I realize now that ignoring it and pretending this is all a dream that I will soon wake up from is so much easier than facing the truth, but I understand that I do have to come to terms with this to fight it. Often times I find myself wondering why this had to happen to me and why my family was chosen to go through this, but at the same time I am happy It was me who was chosen to go into this war because I could not bare to see one of my siblings or friends go through all of this. I am staying positive and I am keeping my smile on my face, but it is still so hard to sit here showered with flowers and “Get well soon” cards knowing I am fighting a battle that so many people haven’t been able to win, and that scares me. It feels so good to get all this love, but breaks my heart that cancer is the reason why.

Read more here...

I'm feeling great, not 100 % yet but pretty close. My personal trainer has helped tremendously, I'm getting stronger each time we train together. This is so important to me since I want to feel like the person I used to be, the desire to be as I once was.

That might be an unachievable goal, my family thinks I'm very negative, I feel I'm more of a realist. It's tough dealing with cancer three times and believe it's gone for good.

That's being realistic.

I'm setting up my appointment for a Pet scan, I'm being somewhat of a coward as I don't want to hear anything but this: "It's Gone".

Since I have been feeling so well I've started upgrading my house, first a new garage door then new flooring in one of my bathrooms. One could consider this a downside to feeling better because now I'm spending money. There is nothing wrong with my garage door or the flooring in the bathroom.

Why am I making these changes? Because it makes me feel good. We cancer patients deserve feeling better after the nightmare we've been through. That's my opinion anyway. Our skiing trip is coming up soon I was beginning to get worried that the snow pack would be more of a block of ice. Praise God the snow is coming back. Yea !!

Keep me in your prayers as I don't want to come back with a broken clavicle, that has already happened on another ski trip.

In Jesus,
Sharon Leigh

I finished radiation last Monday, what a relief! The treatments were very short and easy, at times I'm very tired, well let's say a lot of the time. After finishing, I was given a certificate of completion. Going through this was tedious but the personnel actually made it a piece of cake, they were great.

On that same day I canceled my membership to my gym and signed on with a another. I explained my health issues then asked for a personal trainer who would listen, and most of all, hear what my goals are. I'm planning on a ski trip in March, probably seems risky, well let's face it, it is risky, with compromised bone marrow and being very weak after 10 months of treatments. My family is a little against me going. Oh well I'm going anyway.

Getting back to my personal trainer, I couldn't be happier, he served in the Marines. That in itself works for me as we are a family of Marines going back to WW2. Ron is his name, Ron has his Masters in Physical education, a Bachelors in Social Science and he taught grammar school for 33 years. Very qualified for me plus he's my age. He listens then designs my workout, I already feel better and am somewhat surprised that my body responds as if I haven't missed all of this time. Yea!!

Of course the exhaustion kicks in and then it's time to lay on the couch. Recuperation takes time and I'm impatient, I'm also not in a hurry to find out what the next Pet Scan will show, I'm just wanting to enjoy the moment. That's my story for now.

Many blessings In Jesus,
Sharon Leigh

A new day, a new adventure. Radiation... and thought I was already radiant:))

As I go through my second adventure with Ovarian Cancer first I dealt with the chemotherapy... now radiation. I've had nine treatments with more to go. It has been really easy, 10 minutes on the table and then you're done; hard to believe anything can be so precise. In the first appointment they explain everything to you, that is, the size of the tumor, how many treatments you will receive, how this can affect your body, and then you're ready for the tattoos they use to know exactly where to direct the rays.

The first seven treatments were easy, then after the eight I became very sick with an extremely nauseous stomach accompanied by exhaustion, the only time I was able to get out of bed was when I ran to the bathroom.

Now I'm dependent on anti-nausea medication, hoping this will all end soon. We who suffer with this type of disease and treatments know what an ongoing nightmare we live in, sometimes optimism is hard to find.

I'm not really a negative person I just want my life back, there's so much to do yet. I'm already planning the next Fashion/Seminar luncheon our foundation has. There will be so much to share with our guests, Education is key to our health.

I'll have a lot to talk about.

Blessings,
Sharon Leigh

Haven't bought a tree for awhile, I had lost the happiness that was once here in my home during the holidays, sadness had piggybacked in with no warning.

My front and back yard decorations used to compete with Disneyland at Christmas. I loved it! Inside was the same with homemade decorations Mom made, a beautiful flocked tree, the scent of cinnamon and apple spice permeating from the kitchen.

This year has now changed my entire thinking, I want to celebrate life, I want to celebrate my Savior's birthday. What changed? It started with the thought of dying from the ongoing fight with ovarian cancer, my heart was crying out why wasn't this nightmare over with yet? Eight months of this for me was enough I felt. After all the stage of OC was a one, well I recently was told the stage is three not one.

No more chemotherapy Yea! That alone almost killed me. it's on to radiation, I realized my conversation and deep feelings were very negative, I was not going to survive, " Prepare the Trust," get the will ready, make sure my kids knew my plans for the memorial service. It was getting very dark here in my world.

Much too dark for me, I'm normally a very up happy person, why would I let this destroy me? Satan loves to attack us in that manner, keep us down convince us there's no hope. "Wrong"

Our hope is in Jesus, He is the reason for the Season. Now my attitude has changed, I temporarily forgot, being so caught up with the latest reports.

The front yard is now lit up with trees, Angels, gifts and of course reindeer. The snow flocked tree is standing watch over my living room, decorations are being taken out of their dusting boxes.

I want to live again being thankful for what the Lord has given me, Christmas is such a special time. Family together again, lots of noise in the house, way too many dishes in the sink. How I love it!

Merry Christmas in Jesus
Sharon