Ovarian Cancer: Shelley's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Shelley O’Keefe had noticed bruising, fatigue, lower back pain, and an episode of severe abdominal pain over several years. Because she was an athlete, golf instructor, and busy parent, many of those symptoms were easy to explain away. Pain during intercourse finally prompted her husband, Kelly, to urge her back to her gynecologist even though a yearly exam 3 weeks earlier had been normal.

Shelley learned she might have ovarian cancer on February 8, 2021. Exactly 1 week later, she underwent surgery. Chemotherapy followed. During treatment, Kelly took on much of the household, parenting, and homeschooling responsibilities so Shelley could focus on recovery, while colleagues from her golf community kept her programs running.

Shelley continued to set physical goals. She planned to play a U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier the day before her 6th and final chemotherapy treatment, a 5-hour walking round over several miles of hills. Finishing the round mattered more to her than the score because it gave her something she could control. She also spoke openly about the strain cancer places on caregivers and how the experience strengthened her marriage, while Kelly later used a cross-country cycling fundraiser to support ovarian cancer research and other causes.