John Ford and his wife Kori are both anesthesiologists. While they recognized something was wrong, the young couple did not think that Kori could have pelvic cancer given the fact that they had recently had two children.
Everyone’s story is different and no two cancer journeys are the same. “Kori was stoic and did not show much emotion,” says John of their first visit to the radiation oncologist. “We both drove home after our appointment. When I pulled in the driveway I found her sobbing in her car.” Both John and Kori had read a study involving a small group of women with the same diagnosis and despite aggressive treatment, none of the women in the study were alive after two years. “I felt hopeless and terrified. I gave her a long hug, but we did not say much.”
John admits that while there were parts of their journey that he remembers vividly, there are other parts that he has blocked out. Visits to the ICU and ER, inpatient hospitalizations, and chemo sessions were frequent, but after every treatment day the couple did something with their children to make it all seems a little more normal. Whether it was a trip to the beach, the zoo, or to the children’s museum - the family was always together.
The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) sent Kori a Bag of Hope when she was first diagnosed. Recently Kori and her daughter participated in the Teal Trot and met women who were dealing with a similar diagnosis and others who were walking to make a difference in the lives of ovarian cancer patients. The entire family has been involved with GOCA ever since.
John’s advice might sound a little cliché, but it is heartfelt. “The journey is not easy, but you can do it.” As with everything in life, it is important to focus on little victories and “try to instill normalcy in your life.” For John and Kori, it was most important for them to be vulnerable and to allow friends and family to help along the journey. The couple recently hosted friends and family to celebrate two years of remission.
GOCA continues to touch the lives of women and their families across our state through awareness and education programs such as Teal to Heal, the annual fashion show hosted by Tootsie’s of Buckhead and The Teal Trot annual charity walk at Chastain Park.
For the third year in a row GOCA as opted for a virtual Shaken, Not Stirred charity fundraising broadcast. This year’s broadcast is being held on June 12 starting at 6:55 p.m. The one-hour broadcast features educational and informative content about the organization and highlights members of their community and ways to support the ongoing Bag of Hope program. This year, in conjunction with the broadcast event, GOCA is thrilled to offer an incredible five-course dine-along experience featuring the Capital Grille Dunwoody. To learn more about the Broadcast Event and Dine Along, please visit GOCA.home.qtego.net
For more information about GOCA's mission to educate women, their families, and the health care community about the risks, symptoms, and treatment of ovarian cancer leading to earlier detection; and to learn more about their community fundraising efforts please visit GAOvarianCancer.org