The Founding of the OCAF

I heard the words ovarian cancer for the first time in 1986. I had a partial hysterectomy because of a fibroid tumor. I was 32 years old. My physician left my ovaries and tubes because they looked good and because of my age. He said we would have to watch for ovarian cancer. When I asked him what the symptoms were, he said, “There are no symptoms.”

Her name is Tena. She’s my little sister. We share the same birthday, but are three years apart. We are very close. She’s beautiful and has a magnetic personality. She always has a positive attitude. It’s rare not to see her smiling & happy. She’s worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for over 30 years. She knows what cancer can do and has seen the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In November 2005, two weeks before Thanksgiving, she had a hysterectomy. The Monday following that holiday, she was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer.

I was shopping when she called to tell me she had ovarian cancer. I remember my knees buckled and I couldn’t breathe. I had to sit down. My hands were shaking so bad I could hardly hold my cell phone. I don’t remember much more of our conversation. Somehow I made it to my car. As I closed the car door I remember feeling relieved because my legs didn’t have to hold me up any longer. I sat down, closed the door and fell apart.

There is no history of cancer in our family so her oncologist calls it a “glitch.” She’s gone through several surgeries, chemotherapy, intraperitoneal therapy (IP) and is now undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. She’s had good days and really bad days. She lost all of her hair and has gained some weight from the steroids. She continued to work while going through treatment. She is amazing.

After her diagnosis, I wanted to find out everything I could about ovarian cancer. When I found out there are symptoms, I became physically ill. The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are: Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort; Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion; Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection; Unexplained weight gain or weight loss; Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness; Ongoing unusual fatigue; Unexplained changes in bowel habits. Because the symptoms are so vague it has been tagged by this phrase, "It whispers… so listen". Tena had all the symptoms. I was in disbelief that this had happened to my sister and at the same time I was in such a state of panic because I didn’t know what to do and I could not fix it. Her oncologist could tell her about the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments but he had never gone through it. I remember the overwhelming need I had to get her to talk with another woman who was a stage IIIC, who had been through the types of tests, surgeries and chemotherapy she was going to have. She needed a survivor! This is what I want for all women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Every woman should know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. All Family Practitioners, General Practitioners, Gynecologist, Internists and Gastroenterologists need to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Because of Tena, I have the determination and passion To Encourage National Awareness about ovarian cancer and to promote education about this disease. This is why I formed the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Judy Childress, Founder/President May, 2007