Motivating Stories from Local Women
Every woman has a story to tell, and no two stories are alike. Meet the women who have persevered through challenges and tribulations and come out the other side stronger than ever.
These unique individuals have seen their fair share of adversity but continue to inspire those around them with the lessons they have learned and their love of life. Read on for a motivating story by a woman who experienced them firsthand.
Life after cancer has helped me see life differently. My faith in God has deepened. I’m an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness and a member of a women’s cancer support group."
Life for me has been good. I grew up with a large family, married a United Methodist pastor, had two children of my own, and got to work with even more children. Being a pastor’s family meant multiple moves. In 2012, my husband and I were living in Chattanooga when he was assigned to serve a new position in Knoxville. We were excited because this meant being closer to our children and other family, plus we got to return to an area we had lived in previously.
In May 2013, I began experiencing some health issues. I had a couple of unexplained pains and went to my doctor. I look back now and realize I was tired, had abdominal pain, felt full before completing a meal, and experienced indigestion and bowel issues. On August 27, 2013, my life and my family’s lives changed. After multiple tests and doctor appointments, I heard the words “you have cancer.” It wasn’t until after surgery that I had an official diagnosis of ovarian cancer. We also learned it was stage 3c, meaning I was in the late stages. Not only was I recovering from major surgery, I was now looking at port placement surgery, the unknowns of chemo, how long I would have to have treatment, and if chemo would even be successful. We immediately started putting our faith into motion by praying to God to see us through this unknown time. We connected with our family, friends, and church family. We knew we would need the support and prayers of others along this journey.
Life after cancer has helped me see life differently. My faith in God has deepened. I’m an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness and a member of a women’s cancer support group. I try to approach life in a lighter way and enjoy the simple things. I try to be more understanding and love more. I hope by wearing teal, the ovarian cancer awareness color, and making educational posts during the month of September I will help others learn about this disease, which many women aren’t educated on, and maybe save their lives.
Vicki Malone, East Brainerd
