Carolyn’s Story 

 

Carolyn J. Ochs lost her nine-year struggle against breast cancer on 1/06/06.  Carolyn was active with the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition as one of their founding members and as membership chairperson.  She was also active with, and a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s “Project Lead”.  Carolyn was a Team Leader for Lobby Day and raised tens of thousands of dollars annually by walking in the Susan G.  Komen Race for the Cure in Philadelphia and Princeton, NJ, the Avon 3 day Walk for Breast Cancer in NY and the ACS Making Strides for Breast Cancer in Pennsauken, NJ.  Carolyn was on numerous cancer committees including the Breast Cancer Task Force and Ad Hoc committee.  She attended the San Antonio Breast Cancer conference as a patient advocate.  Over the years, Carolyn was a tireless worker for breast cancer issues, never complaining about her own battle or even thinking to ask “Why me?”.  She rarely gave speeches, but rather focused on talking with women on an individual basis about their feelings and fears.  Carolyn made friends easily because people could see the genuine concern and care she had for others.

 

Carolyn was first diagnosed in 1996 and at the time of her diagnosis, was in the middle of training for her first marathon.  She was devastated by the news, but after telling her family and getting over the shock, she began researching information about breast cancer and went to several different doctors for their opinions.  She decided to undergo a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection.  At the time of this first surgery, Carolyn participated in her first clinical trial of lymph node mapping.  Even before becoming active as an advocate, Carolyn was worried about the future for other women.  The first surgery was not successful in obtaining clear margins and again Carolyn took the lead and had a mastectomy a week later with an expander in place for future reconstruction.

 

She underwent chemotherapy, which consisted of 4 Adriamycin and 8 CMF treatments.  She did not have radiation to her chest, because the standard of care at that time did not advise radiation for that particular type of tumor.  She did well for 4 years and then in 2000 was diagnosed with a local reoccurrence.  The tumor was removed and she underwent radiation and was put on Arimidex, another new cutting edge treatment.  She had reoccurrences in 2001 and 2002, but in 2003 the cancer was relentless, invading her liver, chest wall and sternum.  Carolyn then went into another chemotherapy trial, not only to stop the progression of her own disease, but to also help the doctors better understand metastatic disease.

 

Following a long and difficult battle, Carolyn lost her fight on 1/06/06.  She spent her last 23 days surrounded by those who loved her.  While under the hospice care, her family set up her bed overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay so she could watch the fantastic sunsets that she loved so much.  Carolyn passed away quietly and peacefully with all the dignity that was forever present in her life. 

 

Carolyn will be missed.  She had the inspiring ability to care about others, despite the personal struggle she was enduring.  She will be forever remembered through the Carolyn J. Ochs Scholarship Fund, which will help other women to become proactive about their disease.  We will be lobbying in Congress in memory of Carolyn this May 2006.  But the biggest legacy that Carolyn left is her family.  Their love for her was apparent as it emanated from all of those caring for her in those last days.  It was important to all of them for her to pass away with dignity surrounded by her loving family.  I can see Carolyn looking down on all of us and reminding us that our work in not done until we find a cure for breast cancer.  One of the things Carolyn discussed was how no one should be denied treatment because of their inability to pay for treatments.  She felt deeply about stopping this disease during our lifetime.  We want to be able to tell Carolyn’s daughter and granddaughter that a cure has been found, so they will never have to experience what Carolyn had to endure. Carolyn lived her life well and to that we say, “Thank you for all you did for all of us”.