Admiring Grit With Grace and Awareness BY JAMES HALEY, MD, FACOG, FPMRS
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Thinking of this, I am saddened to learn of a longtime friend of the family who recently passed away. At only 55, Micah leaves behind her husband, daughter, brother and parents after battling ovarian cancer. She was a beautiful soul and touched so many lives. She was a bright light to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Julie had an infectious smile and kind heart. Her positive spirit was contagious, and she often said it was her brokenness that drove her to deeply love and care for others. This was evident in the way she loved people, especially her teenage daughter and husband of 35 years. She fought ovarian cancer for many years, with grit and dignity, until she peacefully left this world. Monica was a woman with a tenacious spirit and a generous heart. She battled ovarian cancer for 11 years, and we lost her while she was my daughter’s first-grade teacher. She fought hard until the end, never wanting to leave and disappoint her daughters, her husband or her students. With a brave face, she battled the disease with inner courage. As a longtime OB-GYN, I have seen too much of this terrible disease. These are just three of the thousands of women diagnosed each year. Giving a patient this diagnosis is heart-wrenching, and I have watched many endure this long and difficult journey. I am continually impressed by the inner strength of women, especially when facing some of the hardest challenges imaginable. Those battling cancer, and cancer survivors, seem to be given the gift of incredible fortitude. There are many who have battled ovarian cancer and have won. Since this cancer can be hard to detect, there are symptoms to watch out for, with most of them acting collectively. • Pelvic, abdominal or back pain • Bloating • Unexplained weight loss • Abdominal swelling • Loss of appetite A woman’s risk of ovarian cancer is one out of 78, and many women don’t experience any symptoms upon diagnosis. That’s why it is extremely important to have annual checkups with your OB-GYN, and it’s equally important to listen to your body. If you notice any changes at all, discuss them with your doctor. The sooner any type of cancer is diagnosed, the better. Don’t ignore symptoms, and don’t be afraid to get checked out.
September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 SHOWS/SHOW DATES (TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
W W W. C H E R O K E E T H E A T R E . O R G
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR TICKETS & MORE INFO ON OUR
2021-2022 season!!
FOLLOW US Because CTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization your donations are tax deductible.
ALL REGULAR SHOWS
Friday/Saturday - 8pm • Sunday - 2:30pm
Adults – $18 | Member Discount – $15 Groups 10 or more - $13 | Senior/Student/Active Military – $15 P l ay i n g at Canton Theatre • 171 E. Main St., Canton, GA
James Haley, MD, FACOG and FPMRS, is an OB-GYN and urogynecologist with Cherokee Women’s Health in Canton and Woodstock.
Box Office 770-591-0282 | info@cherokeetheatre.org Cherokee Theatre Company PO Box 5885 • Canton, GA 30114 AROUND WOODSTOCK | September 2021
43
