A Personal Journey Through Ovarian Cancer and Creative Resilience

June 5, 2025. That date marked a significant turning point in my life—the day I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Just a month before, I had retired from academia at a prominent Chicago university, intending to focus on completing a book scheduled for release the following year. The diagnosis felt unexpected and challenging. I had to embrace a new, unforeseen responsibility: fighting for my survival.

Ovarian cancer develops silently in the ovaries and is often discovered in its advanced stages. Six months before my diagnosis, my yearly pap smear showed no sign, as routine exams typically cannot detect this specific cancer. Without notable symptoms, except for weight loss due to decreased appetite, I felt healthy, relying only on vitamins. A sudden wave of weakness and a racing heartbeat prompted an emergency room visit. There, a clot caused by a mass on my ovary was identified, leading to the cancer diagnosis.

The news left me stunned, as cancer did not run in my family. I was working on a book about Sylvia Moy, a trailblazer at Motown Records since 1964, and her story was aimed for public sharing. Moy collaborated with legends like Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and Norman Whitfield, leaving a lasting impact. My unexpected health crisis threatened this endeavor.

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,” John Lennon once said.

The diagnosis led to major surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy. This treatment paradoxically aimed to eliminate harmful cells but also compromised my immune system. Despite dejection, my niece, a nurse practitioner, offered encouragement, affirming the worthiness of enduring this process for the sake of my book and life’s prospects.

Concerns rose with potential side effects of chemotherapy, specifically neuropathy, which could affect my ability to write. I adopted the mindset of a soldier, confronting challenges head-on. I wore ice mittens during treatment to protect against nerve damage. After each session, I felt victorious, embodying resilience and determination.

Music has always had a calming effect on me. During my treatment, I realized this book breathed life into Sylvia Moy, her lyrics deeply touching my soul. Writing, despite perplexing others, fueled my will to survive, offering a hopeful perspective for the future.

Post-treatment, my focus shifted. Instead of quality of life, I prioritized the quality of survival. I learned to appreciate a glass half full perspective. Sylvia Moy’s story, documented through my writing, served as a lesson in resilience and connection.

As Black women, we endure many challenges but remain unbroken. We are undervalued and misrepresented, yet we rise steadfastly. This journey brought intention and deliberation to my life choices, helping guide my energies wisely.

Thankfully, there is currently no evidence of the disease. With faith, angels have protected and spirit guides have directed my path. Good and bad days came and went, but complaints felt unnecessary.

With music and stories to share, I continue onward, embracing life’s offerings with gratitude. Sylvia Moy’s words resonate with me:

“And this is love.”

Dr. Margena A. Christian is the author of It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. She is a professor emeritus and former director of internships for undergraduate studies in English and professional writing at the University of Illinois Chicago and a former editor at EBONY and JET magazines.

All views expressed in this article are the author’s own.