Survivor’s Guide: Stick Together, Seek Support, Seize the Day

In January 2024 I was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer — a rare form called granulosa cell tumor. I had a total hysterectomy and I'm now on a 6-month surveillance. This means that I get bloodwork and CT scans regularly. Currently, it is every 3 to 6 months. 

My brother died of stomach cancer when he was 48. My mother passed away at age 82 after living with cancer. I have been told none of our cancers are genetic.

I was a volunteer with my local Cancer Support Community in Flagstaff before my diagnosis. So, I knew about CSC’s services, which was very helpful for me. I knew where to go and things to do with CSC's support programs — all free of charge to anyone impacted by cancer. 

I am still volunteering at my local CSC. I also attend support groups as a cancer patient and survivor through CSC's location in Phoenix. Even though I live outside Phoenix, I am still able to meet with my support group on zoom. Most of the participants live in Phoenix, but some do live in other areas of Arizona like me. I also attend other virtual events with the Phoenix location, and in-person workshops in Flagstaff when I can. 

My biggest stressor has been the fear of death and leaving my husband behind. I have been reading as much as I can about the fear of dying. I also have been working with professionals who can help me. I'm doing really well and don’t have the fear I used to have at the beginning of my journey. Using available resources and educational tools is so important in handling stress during the cancer experience. 

I am grateful that I learned a lot about cancer support from CSC before my diagnosis. I feel that most cancer patients are not given a guide on resources once their journey begins. There are so many free resources available through good organizations like CSC.

Once I healed from the surgery, I [took control of] my cancer diagnosis and tried to focus on positive aspects of the experience. I’m quite focused on how I spend my time. Time is precious and I don’t like to waste it. Things I have done and enjoy doing include:

• Creating a comedy routine
• Continuing my volunteer work in the cancer community
• Keeping a health journal [online] where I tell my story to inspire others  
• Focusing on my nutrition and meeting with an oncology nutritionist
• Participating in lots of other healing activities: reiki, massage, yoga, strength training, and therapy

I also create art connected to my cancer journey, like the piece below of the fibroid that bled and resulted in me finding out about my cancer. If it wasn’t for the little fibroid, I don’t know where I would be right now. My close group of women friends, the goddesses in my life, named the fibroid Flory Fifi.

For my portrayal of Fifi, I used paints, colored pencils, and ink stamps. I also incorporated colorful paper napkins given to me from one of my friends who helped name the fibroid.

Like me, several of my friends have received a cancer diagnosis. The naming of the fibroid is an example of goddesses getting together as a tribe to support one another. The goddesses stick together in love, wisdom, and power for one another through the cancer journey. 

My representation of Fifi is one of many artworks I have been submitting for exhibits locally. I have found resilience in all of this.