OUR SWEET GIRL
Brittany's Story
In the winter of 2004, a large tumor was discovered on Brittany’s left ovary during a sonogram. Brittany had a CA-125 test; the results were normal. Later, the tumor ruptured as it was being surgically removed. Biopsy results showed that it was malignant, stage I, grade one, ovarian cancer. For the next two years, Brittany was a diligent patient, visiting her doctors every three months for check ups and regular CA-125 tests.
In the spring of 2006, she began to have stomach pains. Unable to find a reason for her distress, a laparoscopic examination was performed on May 23rd. The original cancer had metastasized over the last two years. Within a week, the cancer began forming blockages in her intestine; additional surgery was performed to relieve her pain. This left our Brittany with a colostomy and an open abdominal wound. Her pain continued to grow worse and was often unbearable. But, she desperately wanted to live. We were told, correctly, that this cancer would probably be unresponsive to chemotherapy. Still, she endured several rounds. Brittany died less than two months later, on July 20, 2006.
We must draw attention to the fact that there is no reliable test for this "silent killer”. A CA-125 test measures a protein found in blood that may be higher in some women with ovarian cancer*. Unfortunately, it is only accurate in detecting stage I ovarian cancer approximately 50% of the time**. When Brittany's CA-125 level began increasing, about six weeks prior to her May 2006 diagnosis, the cancer was already in the later stages. Her ultrasound, Pap test and CT scan initially provided what any doctor would call "normal" results.
Brittany listened to her body when it whispered that something was wrong, but because there is no reliable test, her physicians were unable to immediately detect the initial or the metastasized cancer. This silent killer is responsible for taking the lives of thousands of women every year and there must be a reliable test to detect it. Only 45% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will live more than five years*. We cannot sit back and wait for survivors of ovarian cancer to take the lead in seeking a test to accurately indicate the presence of cancer. Sadly, there are too few survivors.
Prior to her diagnosis, Brittany was enjoying her first ‘real’ job, post- college, and saving to buy a house. She was a great daughter, a loving sister and devoted aunt. Britt loved her many friends, and was always ready to go out to eat, to the lake or to the beach. But, she was taken too soon and her loss has left an empty place in the lives of all of those who loved her.
Brittany Waldrep died in the early morning hours of July 20, 2006, a couple of months before her 25th birthday. Please join our family and the Norma Livingston Foundation to raise money to fund research for ovarian cancer. Additional tools to detect and fight this cancer are so desperately needed.
* American Cancer Society ** Johns Hopkins Pathology Online