Power of the Teal Tribe

When you first hear the words - "You have ovarian cancer," you feel alone. Isolated on a desert island. Confused. Scared. Maybe even asking what comes next.

Where do I turn for support?

After hearing those words, I felt I had all the support I needed. My husband, stepdaughters, family, and friends. I mean, we'd been through my mom's cancer diagnosis 3 times. She could be my rock, my support. She could give me the encouragement I needed. She could tell me what to expect. Right?

Well, that worked great in the beginning. However, as we got farther into the journey and I had more specific questions about ovarian cancer and my specific treatments, there were questions she couldn't answer. So, who could I turn to? I didn't know anyone else with ovarian cancer!

Getting connected with fellow teal warriors

Leave it to my husband to find the first step in the process. He did a lot of research and Googling. He was able to find our local Ovarian Cancer Alliance and another organization that could offer us some help financially. This was the start of my Teal Sister adventures.

The week before I had my IV port put in, we stopped in to visit our local alliance. The executive director and the board president were in the office. They sat with us, listened to our story up to that point, and offered information, support, and hugs. They told us how they founded the organization in memory of their sister, who had passed from this cancer. They explained why they had a passion for education, advocacy, and awareness. We learned about different activities and events the organization had available. Most importantly, we learned we were not alone!

I went from feeling I didn't need or want to be a part of a "support" group to wanting to go to their events and meet others like my husband and myself.

The first walk we attended I couldn't take part in because it was too hot out, and I'd had my last chemo treatment the day before. However, we started meeting other women - other survivors! We learned that we needed more teal in our wardrobe, and their mission would become our mission.

Attending my first National Ovarian Cancer Conference

About 9 months later, I was able to attend my first National Ovarian Cancer Conference. This conference hugely changed my life!

I knew I would learn a lot of information and maybe meet a few other women. What I didn't realize was how many "sisterly" bonds I would make. For a girl with no biological sisters, this was amazing. Each hour it seemed like I met more and more women.

Women like me who'd gone through life-changing surgery and chemotherapy entering a new, unfamiliar world. Women who'd lost their hair, a feeling of their identity, were always tired and couldn't feel their toes and fingers. Women who were going through treatment, recurrences, and who had many, many years of no evidence of disease (NED) behind them.

This conference was a safe haven for 3 days. I was in a bubble of people who understood. People who'd been there were there and knew what it was like. If I needed to nap, there were no questions, just "We'll check if you want to join us for dinner."

If I dropped my pen while writing because I couldn't feel it, a gentle hand on my arm offered me a thicker pen. If I tripped because I couldn't feel my feet under me, there was someone to catch me.

Forever grateful for my Teal Tribe

Now 8 years later, my Teal Tribe of sisters has grown by leaps and bounds. It can be a difficult tribe to be a part of too. Sometimes I feel like I lose more Teal Sisters than I gain. It's the nature of being part of a tribe with people who live with chronic disease and the constant threat of recurrence. Would I trade this tribe? Not on your life!

How do you find your Teal Tribe?

• Search for the closest Ovarian Cancer Alliance in your area
• Go to your first event, even if you're unsure
• Get involved in the awareness and advocacy opportunities in your area
• Find a group or 2 on social media. I have found that many of my Facebook friendships are some of my strongest and closest teal sister relationships
• Find your passion and your true TEAL self

We're all in this together. These are people I can go to on my best day, worst day, and every other one in between. Many of my new teal sisters have become more than friends. They have become a permanent part of my family. Finding your Teal Tribe will make going through this journey richer and more exciting.