From The Simple Son To The Wise Son
My name is Myrna Cohen and I am fifty two years old. My husband and I have been happily married for twenty eight years and we have a thirteen year old son. Though I have been celebrating Passover with my family for many years and reading about the four sons, I never really understood the experience of the “simple son” until I was diagnosed with stage 1-A, grade 3 ovarian cancer, at forty eight years of age. I had a history of benign fibroid tumors, and I thought something wasn’t right because the twinges I had always had on my left ovary hurt more and came more frequently. Thank goodness I listened to my body and had it checked out. I had a transvaginal ultrasound of my left ovary at my OB/GYN visit and it showed a mass that had not been there 5 months earlier. If I had waited until my regularly scheduled appointment, I would not have been diagnosed at such an early stage. I had two surgeries and needed six rounds of chemotherapy because my cancer was very aggressive.
I really felt the need to find others who have been on this teal journey I was about to embark on. There were not many resources available relating to ovarian cancer and the ones that I did find were very difficult to read due to the advanced stage when most ovarian cancers are detected. Already having the medical support I needed, something else seemed to be missing. As I searched for spirituality, I realized that I was seeking a Jewish connection. I felt like the “simple son” in the Passover Story – I had so many questions yet I didn’t know what to ask.
I contacted a local ovarian cancer awareness organization and they gave me Sharsheret’s information. A few days later, a friend also told me about Sharsheret.
I realized that if I felt like the “simple son”, I was sure other women did too. Through Sharsheret I was able to find that there were other women out there like me and it made me feel better knowing that I wasn’t alone. Sharsheret has had a huge and positive impact on my life. I am happy to report that since my diagnosis in June 2011, I was able to find the resources and answers I was looking for. I now feel like the “wise son” and am empowered to share my wisdom with other women on this journey. Because I am so fortunate that my cancer was found so early, I feel G-D wants me to help spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer in hopes of having ovarian cancer diagnosed at earlier stages. It is my hope that along with Sharsheret we can spread more teal education and awareness.