‘Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment

An ovarian cancer diagnosis can knock the wind out of you. And the shock doesn’t necessarily fade as time passes. “This is the diagnosis that lasts forever,” says 51-year-old survivor Beverly Reeves. “You’re always waiting for the next shoe to drop.” As she navigated through treatment, she says she leaned on three pillars for support: faith, family, and friends.

Though her faith remained a constant, family and friends became less of a presence once she’d completed her initial treatment. Reeves says she needed their support just as much later on as she did when she was first diagnosed.

Related: Olympian Shannon Miller Reveals The Mindset That Helped Her Get Through Ovarian Cancer: ‘You Fall Nine Times, You Get Up Ten’

“We may not look like we looked when we were going through chemo. We have our hair back. We may have a little more energy. But we’re still going through it,” she says.

Looking back on her cancer journey, Reeves has some advice for those who are newly diagnosed. “Don’t be embarrassed,” she says. “This is a cancer that not a lot of people want to talk about.” Being open and honest with your loved ones about what you’re going through can help them understand exactly what support you need, so they can provide it.

“Get a strong support group together,” she says. “Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community, and get your family. Let them know what’s going on and let them help you.”

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