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Lena wasn’t
given the choice
to be a hero
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Our founder, Lena Wäppling, is a stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor. To some, Lena’s experience is an inspirational tale of survival, but for Lena it’s a stark reminder of the overwhelming odds faced by women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and a clarion call to change the odds
in their favor.
First, the Shock
Lena was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer just two days before Christmas in 2017. Her only symptoms were a flu and a cough, but upon further investigation, the doctors discovered a tumor the size of a fist on one of her ovaries. The tumor was leaking a fluid that found its way into her lungs, causing the flu-like symptoms. “Why couldn’t they catch it earlier?” That’s a question Lena, like other women, asked herself many times. She never thought about ovarian cancer until she had it.
Living With Uncertainty
Lena had surgery to remove the tumor. She also received various abdominal and lung treatments before starting chemotherapy. It was the biggest ordeal of her life, both physically and mentally exhausting. She got through it by setting small, personal goals that helped her cope with grueling treatments and the unknowns like “Will it work?”
and “How much time do I have?” After completing chemotherapy, she heard what
every person living with cancer wants to hear – complete remission. You’d expect Lena
to be happy and celebrate but since ovarian cancer has a very high relapse risk, the uncertainty and mental pressure lingered on. While the frequent follow-up program
was assuring, questions like “Will I relapse?”, “How many more months do I have?”
and “Do I dare make plans?” were hard to handle."
No More Heroes
Lena was declared cured in the summer of 2023 – something she had not dared
to dream about. Lena realized she was very fortunate that her body responded to the treatment, but there are countless women who are not so lucky. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer, yet its mortality rates haven’t changed for over 30 years. It should be a public health priority because tools to diagnose ovarian cancer early
are still lacking and treatment options are limited.
Lena believes that heroes facing the impossible belong in the movies and not in ovarian cancer. Nobody should have to feel like their life hangs by a thread.
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