In March 2018 Louisville resident Monica Layton was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, in spite of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s enjoyed the support of her family, her friends, her faith and her church community, her work family and her neighbors, all of whom, she says, have contributed to her recovery.
“I have a great family—my mom and dad, my husband and kids. I’ve been married to my husband for a long time, and he’s a really good caregiver; he’s always there for me,” she says. “He’s supportive and kind and a great dad. And I’ve worked at the same company for over 20 years, so I have a work family, too, and they were very supportive. I’m close to my neighbors. Having all those people stopping by to visit, bringing me meals, surrounding me with love and support., was just so important.”
Another big part of her recovery, she says, are the prayers and support of her church family. “We’ve gone to the same church for a long time, so it’s like another family that really supports me. We’re Episcopalian, and when I was having surgery my priest came to the hospital and stayed and prayed with my family the whole time—and it was a long surgery. And then he came back to the hospital every day to pray with me.”
Church members sent Layton flowers and cards, a prayer blanket, and constant messages that they were praying for her. They came to visit. ”And I had friends who put me on their church’s prayer list, too. And then the prayer chain spread far and wide, which I so appreciated.”
Her church’s support didn’t end with the surgery. Even during Layton’s first round of chemo, she continue to attend church every week and sing in the choir. “Singing in the choir was a key part of my mental health,” she says. Layton’s mother and son sing in the choir with her. Before the pandemic, the choir met for rehearsal once a week, and then for Sunday services. “And so that was twice a week that I was with these people who were a major part of my support. They were so kind. I think my faith has been very important, crucial for me. Just the prayer really helps, I think.”
The choir realized that Layton’s chemotherapy meant she was immunocompromised and susceptible to infection. “So the church people were very conscientious about using hand sanitizer and not trying to shake my hand or hug me. They were very respectful of that.”
Layton knows how lucky she is to have faith, family, and friends to sustain her while she is being treated for cancer. She encourages anyone going through ovarian cancer treatment—or any difficult situation—to find support. “If you don’t have a big family, there’s so many support groups you can plug into,” she says. “I always encourage people to find that support, whatever it looks like for them.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
In March 2018 Louisville resident Monica Layton was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, in spite of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s enjoyed the support of her family, her friends, her faith and her church community, her work family and her neighbors, all of whom, she says, have contributed to her recovery.
“I have a great family—my mom and dad, my husband and kids. I’ve been married to my husband for a long time, and he’s a really good caregiver; he’s always there for me,” she says. “He’s supportive and kind and a great dad. And I’ve worked at the same company for over 20 years, so I have a work family, too, and they were very supportive. I’m close to my neighbors. Having all those people stopping by to visit, bringing me meals, surrounding me with love and support., was just so important.”
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Another big part of her recovery, she says, are the prayers and support of her church family. “We’ve gone to the same church for a long time, so it’s like another family that really supports me. We’re Episcopalian, and when I was having surgery my priest came to the hospital and stayed and prayed with my family the whole time—and it was a long surgery. And then he came back to the hospital every day to pray with me.”
Church members sent Layton flowers and cards, a prayer blanket, and constant messages that they were praying for her. They came to visit. ”And I had friends who put me on their church’s prayer list, too. And then the prayer chain spread far and wide, which I so appreciated.”
Her church’s support didn’t end with the surgery. Even during Layton’s first round of chemo, she continue to attend church every week and sing in the choir. “Singing in the choir was a key part of my mental health,” she says. Layton’s mother and son sing in the choir with her. Before the pandemic, the choir met for rehearsal once a week, and then for Sunday services. “And so that was twice a week that I was with these people who were a major part of my support. They were so kind. I think my faith has been very important, crucial for me. Just the prayer really helps, I think.”
The choir realized that Layton’s chemotherapy meant she was immunocompromised and susceptible to infection. “So the church people were very conscientious about using hand sanitizer and not trying to shake my hand or hug me. They were very respectful of that.”
Layton knows how lucky she is to have faith, family, and friends to sustain her while she is being treated for cancer. She encourages anyone going through ovarian cancer treatment—or any difficult situation—to find support. “If you don’t have a big family, there’s so many support groups you can plug into,” she says. “I always encourage people to find that support, whatever it looks like for them.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
