An Update from Market Lady Carol DeLisa

Former Market Lady Carol DeLisa, the woman who brought the Farmers' Market to Scarsdale, sent a personal update to Scarsdale10583 and asked that we pass this vital information onto you. This past spring she received some devastating news: she was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. Since then she has had surgery and an 18-week regimen of chemotherapy.

Here is what Carol would like to share with you about her journey.

"I have studied and researched everyday since this dreaded illness came into my life. I have started a Facebook page to simply allow myself the opportunity to vent when I was having a woe is me moment and believe me there were many. In 6 months we have over 3000 "Likes" on the page. This, page has saved me personally and set my wheels in motion. I started a not for profit foundation called "The EllaCris Women's Gynecolgical Foundation." We are dedicated to raising awareness of this cancer as there is no early detection. We are raising funds for research and individual hardship cases and holding fundraisers."

"We live in a pink word when it comes to cancer. However ovarian cancer is the sister to breast cancer. They travel hand in hand but women don't know this. Here are the "silent whispers" of ovarian cancer. This is a disease that is almost always caught in late stages. In over four decades there have been no advances for early detection. This needs to change."

Here are the symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Persistent bloating
• Eating less and feeling fuller
• Abdominal pain
• Trouble with bladder and bowels

A Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer so recognizing these early warning signs is your best chance of survival. If any of these symptoms persist for more then two weeks, see your doctor. Request a CA 125 test. It's far from perfect but it's all we have right now. If your doctor say's NO to this test, find a new doctor.

This illnes gave me a little belly bloat. I felt fine caring for a mother with late stage Alzeheimers. I had some acid reflux no big deal, after all caregiving is stressful. I'm healthy, I eat only organic, never smoked, drank, no recreational drugs EVER....what the hell, how could this happen to me?"

Check out her facebook page at www.facebook.com/IHateTheCWord