When Barb Fox was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 13 years, she mustered up the strength to accept it and to handle the illness with a positive attitude. Little did she know that in 2010, she would have to dig deep for that strength and determination again.
“I had been having some issues but thought they were related to my MS but I went to see my gynecologist anyway,” said Fox.
Fox underwent testing, including a biopsy, then received a phone call at work from her physician’s office.
“They said they wanted me to come in but I asked what the results were so she had to tell me I had cancer,” Fox said.
Fox said she sat in stunned silence for a bit before calling her mom to tell her the news.
“It was my dad’s 77th birthday,” said Fox.
Fox was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer and underwent a complete hysterectomy.
“I had to have chemo (therapy) treatments and my hair started to fall out,” Fox said.
Fox said she went to her hair stylist and told her to shave her head.
“I told her to give me a Mohawk first and we took pictures. We didn’t cry, we laughed and had fun with it,” Fox said.
Fox, who loved her long hair, said it was freeing to only have to put on a hat each day before leaving the house.
“It was so simple,” Fox said with a laugh, her hair past her shoulders now.
Fox’s cancer is now in remission.
“I worked throughout the whole thing. I wanted to stay busy and keep a positive attitude,” said Fox, who works part-time at Miracle Ear in Bucyrus.
Fox is now helping her sister through her own battle with cancer.
“I want to be there for her. I know first-hand what she is going through,” said Fox.
Fox is one of four people chosen to tell her story at this year’s Crawford County Relay for Life event on June 17 and 18 at Wynford High School.
“I am completely honored to be one of the people chosen as an honorary survivor,” said Fox.
For more information about Relay for Life, visit https://www.facebook.com/crawfordcountyrelay/?fref=ts.
