The life of Levinda H. Bullock
Levinda H. Bullock was born on December 13, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. She received her education from a combination of Catholic and public schools in Wilson, NC. She graduated from C.H. Darden High School in 1968. After graduation, she moved to New York City to become a dental assistant. Due to the passing of her dad, she went back to North Carolina to care for her mom and younger siblings. This was the beginning of a true missionary.
Levinda had one of the biggest hearts and a smile to match, for everyone she came in contact with. She believed in caring and showing love to all people and treating others as she would like to be treated. What kept her so strong in such a cold world was her faith in Jehovah God. With various friends, Levinda started a Bible Study group in which she and other women would become missionaries and pray for those in need. No matter how big the issue, Levinda believed in the power of God and everlasting life. Because of her strong faith in prayer, many friends, family and others have become a believer in Jesus Christ.
Levinda Bullock was called to be with the Lord on May 27, 2013 after her battle with Endometrial/Uterine Cancer. Levinda was truly an angel here on earth. She is missed, but with the work of The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. project she will never be forgotten.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”—— 2 TIMOTHY 4: 7-8
The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. project
The Mission
The mission of L.E.V.I.N.D.A. is to educate, support and give strength to those women living with endometrial cancer and the families involved. We want to highlight the facts of the cancer and how serious and vital it is to identify the symptoms. The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. project will appoint the Foundation for Women’s Cancer to be its beneficiary and join it in the National Race to End Women’s Cancer.
In 2013, Founder Z-Fly lost his mom, at the young age of 63, to endometrial cancer. It has inspired him to create a project focused on bringing awareness on how serious and real this cancer is and the proper steps to take when diagnosed. The direct focus will be to educate women on the uterus, the risks of developing uterine cancer, how it is detected, and what one needs to do to resolve it. We achieve this through fundraising events, advocacy, education, community outreach programs, seminars and having church involvement for prayer.
L.E.V.I.N.D.A. is an acronym that stands for :
One must not think this is the end and remember there’s so much to live for.
To have the treatments work properly you must keep a positive outlook on life.
Never view yourself as the victim; you are the victor and the cancer is the victim.
Going through various treatments to save your life can be harsh on the body.Doing what you must to fight the cancer and stay strong makes you incredibly brave.
Foods that are cancer fighting are ideal and setting a strict diet is key.
To truly help fight and beat this disease at its entirety it’s important to keep up with treatments, diet schedule, medicine, exercise and all else that is entailed for recovery.
To acknowledge one’s condition and the seriousness of the condition to make it easier and more effective to fight the disease.
About the Foundation for Women’s Cancer
The beneficiary of the L.E.V.I.N.D.A. project is the Foundation for Women’s Cancer which is a 501 © (3) a not for profit organization founded in 1991 by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) focused on funding research and training, and ensuring education and public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early detection and optimal treatment. A portion of the proceeds from the L.E.V.I.N.D.A. project will help continue to provide valuable research and education programs in this ongoing fight against cancer. For more information on the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, please visit their website at www.foundationforwomenscancer.org.
About Endometrial/Uterine Cancer
The five types of gynecologic cancers are ovarian, endometrial/uterine, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer.
Cancer occurs when cells in an area of the body grow abnormally. Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows during pregnancy. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are on both sides of the uterus. The cervix is the mouth of the uterus (or womb) that connects it to the vagina. These reproductive organs are located in the pelvis, close to the bladder and rectum.
The endometrium is the inside lining of the uterus that grows each month during the childbearing years. It does this so that it will be ready to support an embryo if a woman becomes pregnant. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium is shed during the menstrual period.
- Taking estrogen alone without progesterone
- Not maintaining a healthy weight
- Late menopause or menopause after age 52
- Diabetes or high blood glucose—too much sugar in the blood
- Not bearing children
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- A family history of endometrial or colon cancer
- Use of tamoxifen—an estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat breast cancer
The most common warning sign for uterine cancer, including endometrial cancer, is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Recognition of this symptom often affords an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment. In older women, any bleeding, spotting, or brownish discharge after menopause may be a symptom of endometrial cancer. Younger women are also at risk and should note irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding as this can be a symptom of endometrial cancer.
When a woman experiences concerning symptoms, a pelvic exam, including a rectovaginal exam, and a general physical should be performed. If the exam is abnormal or she presented for abnormal vaginal bleeding, the woman should undergo an endometrial biopsy, an ultrasound and/or a D&C (dilation and curettage) procedure.
If endometrial cancer is suspected or diagnosed, it is important to seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist—medical doctors with specialized training in treating gynecologic cancers who can manage your care from diagnosis to completion of treatment.
Surgical staging
Though the majority of endometrial cancers are confined to the uterus, your treatment team may recommend more tests to determine if the cancer has spread. Additionally, specific procedures during surgery may be performed to determine the extent of disease. This process is called staging. Staging helps to determine the exact extent of your cancer and the best treatment plan for you.
Following surgery, your cancer will be categorized into Stage I, II, III, or IV. The cancer will also be assigned a grade. Grade refers to how abnormal the cells appear under a microscope. Low grade tumors, also called grade 1, have features that resemble normal endometrium cells. In contrast, in high grade tumors (grade 3) the microscopic appearance is greatly altered from normal.
For more information on endometrial cancer or other types of gynecologic cancers please visit www.foundationforwomenscancer.org.
Endometrial cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Depending on your situation, your treatment team may recommend using a combination of therapies to treat your cancer.
All treatments for endometrial cancer have side effects, but most side effects can be managed or avoided. Treatment may affect various aspects of your life, including your function at work, home, intimate relationship, and deeply personal thoughts and feelings.
Before beginning treatment, it is important to learn about the possible side effects and talk with your treatment team members about your feelings or concerns. They can prepare you for what to expect and tell you which side effects should be reported to them immediately. They can also help you find ways to manage the side effects that you experience.
As you begin your treatment, make sure that you understand what to expect. Is this for cure? What are the chances of cure? If there is no cure, will the treatment make me live better or longer? It is very important to understand the truth about what to expect from the treatment—and what are the potential costs of side effects, expenses, etc.—so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and the life you want to lead.
For more information on endometrial cancer or other types of gynecologic cancers please visit www.foundationforwomenscancer.org.
Follow up after treatment
The frequency of exams, imaging, and blood tests varies because of many factors. Typically, you will be followed every 3 to 6 months for the first 2 years with at least an examination of the vagina and rectum to detect any recurrences early at the most curable stage. These examinations will occur less frequently thereafter. In addition, imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be periodically performed, especially if you have any new pains or symptoms. The top of the vagina is the most common site of recurrent endometrial cancer, and patients will typically present with vaginal bleeding.
Recurrent disease
If your cancer recurs, there are several options for treatment. These include repeat surgery, re-treatment with the same chemotherapy given initially, treatment with a different type of agent (chemotherapy, hormonal, or targeted therapy) and sometimes radiation therapy. As each recurrence will be different, it is important to discuss your individual situation with your team. It is also important to investigate whether there is a clinical trial that is appropriate for you. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion.
Isolated vaginal recurrences can often be cured so early detection and recognition of abnormal symptoms is critical. Notify your physician if you develop abnormal bleeding or other unusual pelvic symptoms following treatment for endometrial cancer.
Importance of participation in clinical trials
There are many ongoing clinical trials studying new and better ways to treat endometrial cancer. Many treatment options are available today because women diagnosed with endometrial cancer were willing to participate in prior clinical trials.
Clinical trials are designed to test some of the newest and most promising treatments for endometrial cancer. The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) partners with NRG Oncology (formerly Gynecologic Oncology Group), part of the National Cancer Institute cooperative group working only on gynecologic cancer clinical trials, and others to make information about current clinical trials available. For more information about clinical trials available for enrollment, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
For more information on endometrial cancer or other types of gynecologic cancers please visit www.foundationforwomenscancer.org.
Things to Know
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month = September
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Ribbon = Purple
Uterine/ Endometrial Cancer Awareness Month = September
Uterine/ Endometrial Cancer Awareness Ribbon = Peach