SURVIVING
and Thriving
A F T E R O V E R C O M I N G C A N C E R F O U R T I M E S ,
S H A R O N S I G L E R I S L I V I N G H E R B E S T L I F E
Written by MADISON HOGAN / Photos by HADLEY(S) PHOTOGRAPHY
Sharon Sigler IS A SURVIVOR.
There’s no doubt about that. After overcoming four
different types of cancer, she’s certainly earned the
title. A self-described optimist who “has a lot of
Godwinks” in her story, Sigler, a Marietta-resident,
credits her resiliency to God, the people in her life and
her commitment to stay positive, no matter what.
FIRST DIAGNOSIS On October 5, 1992, Sigler arrived at her workplace in
Marietta when she was overcome by abdominal pain
and fainted in the parking lot. A UPS worker and
coworkers assisted her before she was rushed to the hospital
for emergency surgery. An ovarian cyst the size of a
grapefruit had ruptured and Sigler was hemorrhaging
internally. After surgery, the doctor sent samples of the cyst
for a biopsy.
Sigler had developed a malignant germ cell tumor, a rare
form of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer affects about 1 in 70
women in the United States, according to the Cleveland
Clinic. Less than 5 percent of ovarian cancers are malignant
germ cell tumors. She was just 32 years old at the time.
“I call it a CANcer journey, because by using that
approach, I have been able to gain further insight into
myself and my purpose in the world,” Sigler said.
This is her story.
“They said because it was germ cell vs.
garden style variety ovarian cancer, I had a
better chance of surviving,” Sigler said.
Sigler underwent chemotherapy and her
right ovary was removed. After her final
chemotherapy appointment on New Year’s
Eve 1992, Sigler said she was determined to
approach the New Year with the mindset of
“cancer free” and not in “remission.”
“And then in 1995, I got pregnant with
my daughter, so I was very excited,” Sigler
said. “I didn’t know if I could be pregnant
with just my left ovary.”
With her daughter, her family and her
health, Sigler continued to live her new lease
on life to the fullest. She made it a point to
stay positive and thrive, no matter how
uncomfortable life became, she said. She
formed a community with other survivors
and made it a point to take care of herself.
“It’s been phenomenal as far as how I am
still alive, and I’m a big believer in the mind,
body, emotional, God connection and how
important our belief system is,” she said.
“Research shows that resilience and purpose
are two of the main characteristics that
increase survivorship.”
42 COBB LIFE | DECEMBER 2021