TEAMMAUREE

The shock of a cancer diagnosis, and the resulting pain, suffering, and grief,
are familiar to me as a nurse practitioner specializing in oncology. I thought that because I deal with fighting cancer on a regular basis, that I could handle anything that came my way when my own sister, Maureen, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 34. Yet as her cancer battle began, I soon realized that nothing could be further from the truth. On one hand, my knowledge of cancer, treatment, and side effects was very useful when navigating the complexity of a new cancer diagnosis with my sister, helping her understand what was happening with her diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, it was very hard for me to know how difficult her treatment would be, and also recognize her grim prognosis. Although I never wanted to take away hope, I felt as if I was not being honest with my sister as I did not share the harsh realities with her as I would have with any of the patients who I care for. Taking on the dual role of loving caretaker and at the same time knowledgeable oncology practitioner was one of the most difficult challenges I have ever confronted. Yet, I learned so much and grew both personally and professionally from the experience. Because of Maureens cancer diagnosis and treatment, I was given the opportunity to see things through the patients eyes, not just the providers. I realized, as a cancer care practitioner, how our words and how we express them are an integral part of a patients experience. Because of her struggles with appointments, procedures, diagnostic scans, and treatments, I became a more insightful and compassionate provider, especially around giving bad news, discussing death and dying, and counseling grieving families. Through her cancer journey, my older sister continued to teach me, as she always had. We thought the battle was over in 2003, but almost three years later, Maureen started having back pain and sadly we found out that her cancer had returned, this time with a vengeance. She started radiation immediately for her severe hip pain and then chemotherapy, but she did not respond. The cancer continued to grow and my sister got sicker. She lost over 40 pounds, leaving her at just 90 pounds. She did partially respond to some investigational cancer drugs, but they did not come without side effects. An aggressive form of cervical cancer took its toll on Maureen, despite her endurance and courageous six-month battle. She lost her battle to cancer on December 15th, 2006, at age 37. Although she fought cancer twice, Maureen never complained and, not surprisingly, remained more concerned about others than for herself. Maureen loved life and lived it to its fullest (as evidenced by the fact that she had taken her kids to Disney five times in five years). She adored her children and was dedicated to all of her family members and friends. She married Mike, her high school sweetheart, in 1993 and had two beautiful children, Gabrielle (13) and Domenic (9). Mike and Maureen were happily and lovingly together for 20 years. She had an

TEAMMAUREE

infectious laugh and a great sense of humor, as well as the warmest and most giving heart. Maureen displayed courage, perseverance, enthusiasm, dedication, determination, and leadership each day of her all too-short life. Life has changed in so many ways, since my sister lost her battle to cervical cancer. When Maureen passed, my older daughter, Teagan now 5, was just over a year old. Two years later we had another daughter who we named Maureen, in honor of my sister. As a mother of two young girls, I naturally worry about my childrens future and health. We got through Maureens journey with a great deal of denial, as it was too painful to fully accept that we could ever lose the most amazing person to such a curable disease had it been caught early. I would never want another woman to suffer as my sister did from a potentially preventable and curable cancer. Half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between ages 35-55 years old, in the US, 12,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and approximately one third of those women will die of the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer in women in the world and half the woman diagnosed will die from disease. If caught early, cervical cancer is quite treatable, whereas when it has spread it is too late. Well-organized cervical screening can reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In addition, human papillomavirus (HPV), now a well-established cause of cervical cancer, is preventable by vaccine. Most women are exposed to cancer causing HPV in their teens and 20s, and 80% of women will have HPV by the time they are age 50. It is hoped that the introduction of HPV vaccination will effectively reduce the burden of cervical cancers in the coming decades worldwide. Although cervical cancer is potentially preventable by vaccine, and curable if detected early by simple cervical screening, unfortunately, there seems to be a stigma that surrounds gynecological cancers, especially cervical cancer, which prevents young woman from protecting themselves against this deadly cancer. Perhaps it is related to the negative association between the virus that can cause cervical cancer, HPV, and sexual activity. Maybe it is it the fears of side effects related to vaccines or the assumption that if their child receives the vaccine, the parents are condoning sex? Education and awareness are important to empower our young girls, and it is our duty as mothers to advocate for our children, so they can live healthy, happy, and productive lives. My multiple roles as a woman, mother of two girls, oncology nurse practitioner, and someone who lost a sister to cervical cancer have placed me in a unique position to understand the choices and opportunities women have with respect to gynecologic cancer prevention, screening, and care. Unfortunately, many women are not aware of all the choices for themselves or their children, or they lack access to the resources. It is with the goal of never having another woman suffer from a potentially preventable and curable disease and to keep the loving, caring. energetic spirit of my sister Maureen Russo alive that I founded the Team Maureen foundation..