A DAY FOR HOPE
Teal Sisters gather in Palos Heights to share battle stories, tips for beating ovarian cancer
A group of women battling ovarian cancer joined survivors of the disease last weekend for a day of rejuvenation at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights.
They call themselves the Teal Sisters, after the color adopted to represent ovarian cancer.
The women got together for a day of relaxation that included yoga, painting rocks, making essential oils, massages and much more. The event was put together by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
More than just bonding with women who share a similar experience, the retreat was a way to help people cope with a disease that often is advanced before being diagnosed.
“A cancer diagnosis of any type takes such a toll on the body and especially for ovarian cancer survivors who are most often diagnosed late stage,” said Karen Young, the NOCC’s Midwest regional manager. “Being focused on getting proper nutrition, good rest and supplementing your treatment with holistic activities is so important for healing and ongoing maintenance. Our retreat is all about women reclaiming who they are and engaging in activities that make them feel whole, purposeful and connected with each other. “
It’s a day to help people to “be in the best mental state and have the best quality of life to function each
day,” she said.
Melissa Aucoin, the group’s CEO, said the retreats also are a way to shine a light on a deadly disease that’s often not diagnosed until it’s progressed to stage 3 or 4.
“Ovarian cancer deserves attention,” Aucoin said. “One in 8 women get breast cancer, but the mortality rate for ovarian cancer is much higher because it’s not found until later stages. There is also a lack of awareness of this cancer — most women don’t know this cancer exists.”
There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, though a CA-125 blood test will indicate its presence. Signs to look for include an uneasy or constant bloating feeling in the stomach or bloating constantly.
The local NOCC chapter has been around for 30 years and also provides grants to women dealing with the disease.
Member Jennifer Szwajkowski, of Palos Heights, was diagnosed in March 2019 and remains in treatment.
During her initial treatment, a nurse gave her “Totes of Hope” bag distributed by the NOCC with information about what to expect.
It “introduces you to a whole new community of Teal Sisters,” Szwajkowski said.
“I found so many resources and have met so many women going through the same journey,” she said. “When you get diagnosed with ovarian cancer you think oh my goodness, I don’t know anyone with this cancer and what do I do?”
Young, the regional NOCC manager who lives in Chicago’s Scottsdale neighborhood, had answers for women “on this troublesome journey,” and Saturday’s gathering at Lake Katherine was one of them.
“One of the aspects of NOCC that our women tell us they love is the great connection they feel with others similarly diagnosed,” she said. “They love the opportunity to form relationships with women who are still surviving this disease.
“That gives great hope to those just beginning this journey.”
One of those survivors is Frankfort resident Karen Curtin. When she was diagnosed in March 2012,
doctors told her to get her affairs in order.
“I have tremendous faith” Curtin said. “I owe it all to God and a great team of doctors.”
That wasn’t the case at first. Before being properly diagnosed, one doctor told her she had irritable bowel syndrome, another said it was menopause, two more doctors said she ate too much bread, and another said she needed a psychiatrist.
Finally, after six months of experiencing symptoms, a doctor at Little Company of Mary hospital in Evergreen Park found a mass.
“I kept praying, and I never went without my lipstick and earrings — even during my surgeries I wore them,” Curtin said with a laugh. “I told the doctor I don’t want to know statistics because I don’t want to be one.”
During Saturday’s retreat, Curtin made a teal bead necklace that said “Amen to Ten,” as a tribute to her decade of survival.
She has had 24 rounds of chemotherapy and her breasts removed. Now she is in remission and got involved with NOCC to help other women.
“I tell women, don’t let this get you. I try to give these ladies hope and tell them never turn back and keep fighting,” Curtin said. “Cancer has made me a stronger woman. I appreciate a lot more than I did before. I made it.”
As someone still in treatment, Szwajkowski appreciated that sentiment.
“The best experience is meeting other women going through this,” she said. “I can count on them if I need someone to talk to and to know they have been there and will be there for me.
“As horrible as ovarian cancer is, I found my purpose through it: To spread the word and to prevent this from happening to other women out there and help anyone through this, is my goal. As soon as you become an ovarian cancer survivor, you’re a warrior and a Teal Sister.
“Every day you battle this you are a survivor. This is not a death sentence, it’s a new way of life.”
More information on the NOCC is with Young at kyoung@ovarian.org or at https://ovarian.org/get-involved/nocc-communities/.