‘I’m here for my two girls’: Inspiring survivor shares story

For most 20-year-old women, receiving a cancer diagnosis is the last thing they expect and one brave woman had to make a life-changing decision.

Emma Kalpakos is an ovarian cancer survivor. Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

For most 20-year-old women, receiving a cancer diagnosis is the last thing they expect to hear and it forced one brave Toowoomba woman to make a life-changing decision.

After experiencing what she believed was indigestion for six months, Emma Kalpakos finally made an appointment with her GP, at the requests of her husband and mum.

But little did the then 23-year-old know that her symptoms were related to something much more sinister.

Emma Kalpakos is an ovarian cancer survivor. Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Blood and ultrasound results showed tumours on both of Ms Kalpakos’ ovaries and despite initially thinking it was Endometriosis due to her young age, health professionals quickly ruled this out after further tests and surgery revealed it to be borderline ovarian cancer.

Just one month later, Ms Kalpakos had half of each ovary removed and was urged to start looking at having a family.

Fortunately, after a year of trying she fell pregnant and gave birth to her beautiful daughter.

But devastatingly, she was hit hard again just five years later when during a routine check-up, specialists found the cancer had returned.

Emma Kalpakos is an ovarian cancer survivor. Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“My stepdaughter was six-years-old at the time, but I had always wanted to have a child of my own too and a big family,” Ms Kalpakos said.

“(Having a hysterectomy) was a really difficult decision to make because it meant I couldn’t have anymore children, but as hard as it was we just couldn’t risk it and we’d rather make sure I’m here for my two girls.”

Now cancer free, next year will mark three years since her 2019 diagnosis.

Ms Kalpakos is participating in the Ovarian Cancer Australia walk and she will walk 4km every day this month.