“My prayer and mission is to help women of all ages know what to look for with Ovarian Cancer and encourage them to go to the doctor if things don’t seem right.”- Kimberly Airhart, President (and survivor)
I am a healthcare professional. But you do not have to be one to understand how cancer affects our lives. Who has not had a loved one who has been stricken? In my case, both my mother and my wife died of cancer.
Ovarian cancer (OC), a major cause of female cancer deaths both here and worldwide, is particularly difficult to diagnose in its early stages in that there is currently no test for it. Harts of Teal, a local non-profit organization, is dedicated to educating Peachtree City, Fayette County, and all women regarding the “signs and symptoms” of OC.
The organization also focuses on support for women newly diagnosed, during treatment and navigating survivorship….so no woman “has to walk this road alone”. It “create(s) a space where we can encourage each other along the way, make lasting friendships, share burdens, blessings, fears, and find hope”.
Harts of Teal hosts in person dinners each month so that women can obtain support from others who are going through the same taxing experience. There is also a monthly zoom call as well. Harts of Teal also sends a Blessing Bag to women who are new to the organization. Each Blessing Bag contains a blanket and chemo essentials. Harts of Teal also sends out meals and care packages, flowers or cards during treatment, surgeries or hospital stays.
Harts of Teal was established by Kimberly Airhart, diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in 2020. Her moving case is typical; 80% of women are not diagnosed until their cancer is advanced, stage 3 or 4.
Five years ago, Kimberly was a 41-year-old healthy, happily married wife and mother to 5 wonderful kids. She initially thought that her constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain were just minor annoyances caused by childbirth, ovarian cysts, or possibly her gallbladder.
But when she did not get any better, she went to multiple physicians to have her symptoms diagnosed. Eventually, after a CT scan in 2020, it was discovered that she had OC, stage 3c. Kimberly was then referred to an oncologist who specialized in gynecology.
Her treatment plan was aggressive, consisting of both chemo and a major surgery, lasting 8 hours. It took Kimberly 3 months to recover from that operation. Five years later, she is now on a maintenance treatment, a major and rare accomplishment with this stage cancer.
So, what can a woman do to make sure that she is diagnosed early and accurately? The first step is to be aware that severe, persistent symptoms such as pelvic or abdominal pain may not be “normal”. If you have an upset stomach and bloating, are urinating very often, and feeling abnormally full after eating, be aware. These symptoms are most likely not OC, but they can be. If you are uncertain, please see your primary care physician as soon as possible. Do not delay your diagnosis.
To volunteer, support or partner with Harts of Teal, or just to know more about this fine faith based organization, go to https://hartsofteal.org/.
