The Sonja Ottaviano Story
The year 2000 had been one of those years. Sonja Ottaviano accepted a promotion at the airlines to a more stressful job, her husband of 37 years suffered an injury at work, and her father-in-law's health was failing. Then she noticed blood when using the bathroom.
After the second time it happened she mentioned it to her husband. Fred encouraged her to see a physician; however, the timing never seemed right. In December, Sonja shared with a coworker and close friend, "I have a feeling I have cancer." They both cried over the possibility, having both lost their mothers to cancer. That afternoon Sonja told Fred that the issue had returned. At his insistence, she agreed to see the doctor - after the holidays.
On the first Sunday of January 2001, Sonja bent to pick up the newspaper and hurt her back. "God works in strange ways," she said and she then saw her doctor the following morning. After explaining about her back she said, "Oh, by the way, there is this other problem." Her physician recommended an appointment with a gastroenterologist who performed a colonoscopy. He returned with bad news: "I found a tumor. You have colorectal cancer."
Sonja remembers the day she learned her mother had ovarian cancer over 34 years ago: "It was the worst day of my life. I didn't want my son to know that pain." But together, with her husband and son, she faced her cancer with a positive attitude and the strength that God gave her.
After she had the cancerous tumor surgically removed, the pathology results revealed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She needed chemotherapy and radiation. Sonja went to MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando because of their highly specialized colon cancer oncologists.
"They were wonderful," she praises.
She underwent continuous chemotherapy and daily radiation treatments. "For six months I had every side effect possible," she says describing her black nails, mouth sores and weight loss. "Prayers were coming from all over - that is what got me through," she explains.
Sonja's faith brought her much comfort and helped her handle the difficult battle. "God was with me every step." After September 11, Sonja retired from the airline industry. She completed her chemotherapy and her tests returned with no signs of cancer. "I needed to keep busy. I didn't want to focus on the past and what I had been through," she says. So, Sonja began working part time for Brighton Collectibles, the well-recognized accessories store.
In 2004, the company's owners decided to allow each store to select a charity. "MD Anderson - Orlando was at the top of my list," Sonja says.
After touring the center, everyone at the Mall at Millenia Brighton store was impressed with MD Anderson - Orlando. The first year of the partnership yielded $10,375 for MD Anderson - Orlando, thanks to successful sales of Brighton's special Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet.
In 2005, Brighton continued the partnership and raised $12,781 for the facility. "I tell everyone how fortunate we are in Central Florida to have
MD Anderson - Orlando."