Ovarian Cancer Grad- Mandi
“I was diagnosed over 11 years ago, so I have singlehandedly witnessed the lack of support groups specifically for young ovarian cancer patients and survivors.”
Name: Mandi Chambless
Age at Enrollment: 28
Major: Stage IIIc high grade serous carcinoma, ovarian cancer
What were the primary symptoms you experienced prior to diagnosis?
Feeling bloated, lower back pain, fatigue
Courses completed:
surgery and chemo, including IP chemo
How did you respond when you heard the words “You have cancer”?
I didn’t find out I had cancer prior to surgery. I actually found out when I woke up as the nurse dictated next to me in the recovery room.
What has been your hardest moment(s) since your diagnosis? How have you moved forward through them? My biggest struggle began once chemo ended. Learning how to “move on” was paralyzing at times. To add insult to injury, my husband at the time and I separated during my treatments due to his addiction issues. So when chemo ended, I had to literally learn who I was NOW. Allowing myself the space to feel and to grieve helped me move forward. I also literally picked up and moved from Dallas to Austin. I left a job, a marriage and even some friendships. Starting over was what saved me.
What has been your biggest accomplishment since your diagnosis? The biggest accomplishment since my diagnosis?
Surviving it all. On a physical scale, four marathons. On an emotional scale, releasing the chains of my past (still a work in progress but even just this week I made a HUGE jump in this area). On a personal scale: giving myself approval to find love again, traveling the world, paragliding in the Swiss Alps, saying YES to me again.
What do you believe are the unmet needs of young adult patients within the cancer community?
I was diagnosed over 11 years ago, so I have singlehandedly witnessed the lack of support groups specifically for young ovarian cancer patients and survivors. I remember feeling like all eyes were on me at every luncheon, speech or race. I am thrilled to say that this arena has improved, but there’s always room for more.
What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed? What advice would you tell them to ignore? What advice would you give to the caregivers?
My favorite nugget of wisdom as someone who has had the unfortunate luck of been there, done that is to not forget yourself through the process. Honor yourself, care for yourself and don’t feel ashamed to be selfish with your time. This also includes freeing yourself from always feeling like you have to be a hero. There’s a time and a place for tying that cape around your neck, but you also have the right to wallow as needed; just make sure you don’t set up camp there.
What did you know about the type of cancer that you were diagnosed with prior to your diagnosis?
Sadly, ovarian cancer doesn’t get much attention even now, so when I was diagnosed over 11 years ago, I literally knew nothing about it. A high school friend of mine’s mother had passed away from Stage IIIc ovarian cancer about 8 years prior to my diagnosis and although I remember it clearly, I didn’t even know what type of cancer she had. Cancer was simply cancer back then, unless it was a well known type.
What do you now want people to be aware of?
Know the signs. Ovarian cancer symptoms are not overt. Because of this, it quite often is misdiagnosed, which leads to progressive stages of the disease. Know your body and be your own advocate.
Some of the signs of ovarian cancer are:
-Abdominal bloating, indigestion or nausea
-Changes in appetite, such as a loss of appetite or feeling full sooner
-Pressure in the pelvis or lower back
-A more frequent or urgent need to urinate
If you could write anything you wanted on a billboard in NYC’s Times Square that would reach millions of cancer patients, what would it read?
My favorite quote, the one I end most speeches or write ups with is “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, because of you I didn’t give up”.
