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Episode 10- Rachel Sackett Putman #SackettStrong
Rachel Sackett - Cancer can be a lonely place.
Cancer during a pandemic, well I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. But here Rachel was, in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey,
navigating two cancers (ovarian cancer AND breast cancer) during a global pandemic. Each appointment, surgery, scan, lab and test were alone.
Hearing that she had cancer, well she was alone for that too.
Rachel thought the worst thing she would have to endure in 2020 was in January, when she lost the most incredible man she had ever known, her Dad. So many friends and family thought his loss could be a sign, that perhaps he was making way for the child she had been yearning to have. Her first fertility appointment in March led to her first ultrasound to see why she wasn’t getting pregnant. That led to her first laparoscopic surgery and her first CT scan, which not only confirmed an ovarian mass, but also a breast mass. Her diagnosis was soon confirmed, Stage 2A ER positive breast cancer in May. But she wasn’t done yet. A PET scan and follow-up surgery in June uncovered Stage 3A low grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. Two cancers?! How could this be? Then 2020 continued in full force: 5 Hospital stays, endless doctor appointments, dieticians, physical therapy, counseling, genetic testing, tumor testing, molecular testing, lymphedema specialists, six covid tests, 3 bowel cleanses, labs, a 19-hour road trip to MD Anderson in Houston, her first colonoscopy, isolation at home, the loss of ten body parts and the addition of two new ones was how she spent her year. All of this while navigating a global pandemic in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey and most of which she had to suffer through by herself.
RACHEL'S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Please take a moment toreview the organizations Rachel advocates for and has gotten so much strength and support from during her journey.
With gratitude. #Sackettstrong
NOCC
– National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – The mission of the NOCC is to save lives
through the prevention and cure of ovarian cancer and to improve quality of
life for survivors and their caregivers
STAAR – Survive. Thrive.
Advocate. Advance Research - The only US-based non-profit dedicated to low
grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer to advance research in the US and extend
women’s lives via research for new treatment opportunities
OCRA –
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance – Leading organization in the world fighting
ovarian cancer on all fronts while supporting patients and families
· STS
– Survivors Teaching Students – Program that seeks to have an impact on the way
healthcare professionals of tomorrow understand, diagnose and treat ovarian
cancer
· W2W – Women
to Women – Unique support program that pairs gynecologic cancer patients with
trained survivor volunteers who provide one on one emotional support and
mentoring to women when they need it most
· Advocate
Leader – Voice for the ovarian cancer
community, engaging with policymakers to help deliver critical research funding
and access to care
CSCAZ –
Cancer Support Community AZ (Global organization with 47 locations, also
referred to as Gilda’s Club) – Ensure that all people impacted by cancer are
empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community
CDMRP –
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – The Department of Defense
(DOD) Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) was initiated to support
high-impact, cutting-edge research that fills unmet needs
Teal It Up
– Ovarian cancer foundation that is committed to helping women navigate the
challenges of ovarian cancer
Sharsheret – National
non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families
living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through
personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach
View all episodes
By LOIS KITTNERRachel Sackett - Cancer can be a lonely place.
Cancer during a pandemic, well I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. But here Rachel was, in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey,
navigating two cancers (ovarian cancer AND breast cancer) during a global pandemic. Each appointment, surgery, scan, lab and test were alone.
Hearing that she had cancer, well she was alone for that too.
Rachel thought the worst thing she would have to endure in 2020 was in January, when she lost the most incredible man she had ever known, her Dad. So many friends and family thought his loss could be a sign, that perhaps he was making way for the child she had been yearning to have. Her first fertility appointment in March led to her first ultrasound to see why she wasn’t getting pregnant. That led to her first laparoscopic surgery and her first CT scan, which not only confirmed an ovarian mass, but also a breast mass. Her diagnosis was soon confirmed, Stage 2A ER positive breast cancer in May. But she wasn’t done yet. A PET scan and follow-up surgery in June uncovered Stage 3A low grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. Two cancers?! How could this be? Then 2020 continued in full force: 5 Hospital stays, endless doctor appointments, dieticians, physical therapy, counseling, genetic testing, tumor testing, molecular testing, lymphedema specialists, six covid tests, 3 bowel cleanses, labs, a 19-hour road trip to MD Anderson in Houston, her first colonoscopy, isolation at home, the loss of ten body parts and the addition of two new ones was how she spent her year. All of this while navigating a global pandemic in Arizona, thousands of miles away from her family in New Jersey and most of which she had to suffer through by herself.
RACHEL'S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Please take a moment toreview the organizations Rachel advocates for and has gotten so much strength and support from during her journey.
With gratitude. #Sackettstrong
NOCC
– National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – The mission of the NOCC is to save lives
through the prevention and cure of ovarian cancer and to improve quality of
life for survivors and their caregivers
STAAR – Survive. Thrive.
Advocate. Advance Research - The only US-based non-profit dedicated to low
grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer to advance research in the US and extend
women’s lives via research for new treatment opportunities
OCRA –
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance – Leading organization in the world fighting
ovarian cancer on all fronts while supporting patients and families
· STS
– Survivors Teaching Students – Program that seeks to have an impact on the way
healthcare professionals of tomorrow understand, diagnose and treat ovarian
cancer
· W2W – Women
to Women – Unique support program that pairs gynecologic cancer patients with
trained survivor volunteers who provide one on one emotional support and
mentoring to women when they need it most
· Advocate
Leader – Voice for the ovarian cancer
community, engaging with policymakers to help deliver critical research funding
and access to care
CSCAZ –
Cancer Support Community AZ (Global organization with 47 locations, also
referred to as Gilda’s Club) – Ensure that all people impacted by cancer are
empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community
CDMRP –
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – The Department of Defense
(DOD) Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) was initiated to support
high-impact, cutting-edge research that fills unmet needs
Teal It Up
– Ovarian cancer foundation that is committed to helping women navigate the
challenges of ovarian cancer
Sharsheret – National
non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families
living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through
personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach