Help us raise money

Welcome to Keena's Ova It Team!

This marks our third year participating in Jodi’s Race for Awareness, and we’re so grateful you’ve taken the time to visit our team page. Your donations directly support COCA — the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance — an incredible organization that provides vital resources to those affected by ovarian cancer and works tirelessly to raise awareness.

Kaylinda’s (aka Keena's) Story:

At the end of 2021, I began experiencing sharp, shooting pains on the right side of my pelvic area. Having previously been diagnosed with ovarian cysts, I initially dismissed the pain as just another flare-up.

By early 2022, the pain became more persistent, prompting me to see my gynecologist. My doctor suspected a muscle strain but ordered an ultrasound just to be safe. The results showed a large fibroid on my uterus, which made it difficult to view my ovaries. I was reassured that the fibroid appeared benign and told that removal could wait. Wanting to avoid invasive surgery, I chose to postpone.

Over time, I attributed any new symptoms to the fibroid. But by fall 2022, I noticed unusual abdominal weight gain, constant pelvic pain, and a lack of appetite — I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt truly hungry. At Thanksgiving, feeling miserable, I finally went to the ER at my family’s urging. A CT scan revealed fluid in my abdomen, a large mass on my right ovary, and an enlarged lymph node in my chest. Bloodwork showed elevated tumor markers, pointing to Stage 3 or 4 ovarian cancer.

Happy 40th birthday to me.

I was immediately referred to a gynecologic oncologist, though a definitive diagnosis required more testing. A robotic procedure drained 6 liters of fluid, removed my left ovary (also encased in a mass), and biopsied the lymph node. Fortunately, both the fluid and lymph node were cancer-free, and the left ovary was diagnosed with a borderline tumor. Still, I needed a full hysterectomy.

In January 2023, I underwent a total hysterectomy, including the removal of the 11 cm mass on my right ovary. Pathology showed the mass was mostly a borderline tumor, but a small portion was Stage 1 carcinoma. Because everything was successfully removed, no further treatment was required — only ongoing monitoring.

I was incredibly lucky. The outlook had been grim at first, but thanks to a fast-acting medical team and the unwavering support of my family and friends, I got through it.

My message to others: Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Advocate for yourself. And never hesitate to seek a second opinion.

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer often include:

Bloating

Pelvic or abdominal pain

Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Urgency or frequency in urination

Thank you again for your support. Together, we can raise awareness and save lives.