Hannibal woman makes pitch for early cancer detection

Maribeth Wagner is determined to keep a killer from beating her.
The Hannibal woman and ovarian cancer survivor is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at Monday’s St. Louis Cardinals game against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium.
The appearance is part of Missouri Jaycees Day at the ballpark. Part of ticket sales will be donated to Whisper Ride, a cross-state bicycle trip to raise money for ovarian cancer research.
“It’s going to be a little nerve-racking and fun at the same time,” said Wagner, 45, who practiced her pitching Thursday at Hannibal’s Clemens Field. “The idea is to get the word out about ovarian cancer.”
Ovarian cancer has been called a silent killer because it’s hard to detect and its symptoms are similar to that of other diseases.
Wagner thought she had little more than a virus when she went to the doctor in March 2005 after experiencing a prolonged fever.
When she heard the “c” word, Wagner didn’t panic.
“My first thought was ‘We’ve got to move on,’” she said. “My motto is never give in.”
Six months earlier, Wagner had gotten an annual checkup and everything appeared to be normal.
“She found out the hard way that you can’t find this” easily, said Cara Harms, Wagner’s friend and a Missouri Jaycees state officer. Researchers “are working on a test, but there isn’t one right now.”
Cancer also was found on Wagner’s liver, small intestines and diaphragm. She had a hysterectomy and endured six months of chemotherapy.
The cancer when into remission, but a test last July found it had returned.
Wagner had three more months of chemo and the cancer went into remission again last January. Her next doctor’s appointment is in August.
“I know there’s a chance of it coming back, but I can’t dwell on it everyday,” Wagner said. “I have to live my life.”
Wagner was reluctant to discuss ovarian cancer after the first diagnosis, but changed her mind after the second bout with the disease.
“A lot of people have asked me questions,” she said. “I decided it was time to give people the knowledge they needed and help as much as I could.”
Statistics show that the more help, the better.
If ovarian cancer is caught early, the survival rate is 90 percent. Unfortunately for too many victims, it’s not found until the cancer spreads to other organs.
Early symptoms may include pain in the pelvic region, unexplained bloating or indigestion, abnormal bleeding and abdominal swelling.
Wagner, who operates a forklift at General Mills in Hannibal, had the support of family, friends and co-workers to see her through. She hopes others will benefit from her story.
Wagner is an Illinois native who admits she’s a Chicago Cubs fan at heart, but is warming to the Cardinals.
Both she and Harms plan to participate in the Whisper Ride. The 300-mile bicycle trip from Kansas City to St. Louis starts Aug. 30.
“We’re not going to stop someone from getting ovarian cancer, but if we can get the word out and help one person catch it early, then we’ve been successful,” Harms said.
For more on the bicycle ride, log on to www.whisperride.info.