For Kendall Stephens, Spanish Town isn’t just a parade — it’s family. The pink flamingo-filled streets, the quirky, beloved Mardi Gras parade and the tight-knit community that rallies around one another became her lifeline when she needed it most.
When Kendall was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her community didn’t just cheer her on. They showed up, reminding her that no one fights alone.
A Tumor That Changed Everything
A married mom of two living in Denham Springs, Kendall’s story began with what she thought was just stomach pain, something she could ignore. After enduring the discomfort and feelings of fullness for a year, it finally reached a breaking point while on a weekend getaway with friends to Bay St. Louis.
“Everyone else was having a great time,” Kendall recalls. “I just stayed in the cabin in bed, too sick to move.” It was then that Kendall decided to seek medical attention.
Despite a series of visits to doctors, X-rays and even an upper and lower gastrointestinal scope, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until she went to the emergency room in late January 2024 that doctors discovered what had been causing her excruciating pain: a 12-pound tumor the size of a volleyball on her ovary.
Facing the Unknown: A Life-Altering Surgery
The shock of the diagnosis was overwhelming. “I thought I was fine. My Pap smear was negative. How could something the size of a volleyball go unnoticed?”
But Kendall quickly found herself in capable hands at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute and Woman’s Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion. Just over a week after her diagnosis, Kendall underwent debulking surgery, a procedure more extensive than a traditional hysterectomy, which aimed to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue.
Anthony Evans, MD, PhD, obstetrician and gynecologic oncologist with the cancer pavilion, and Sobia Ozair, MD, hematology oncology physician with Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, played pivotal roles in her treatment.
“Dr. Ozair is my full-time oncologist, and I see her every three weeks,” Kendall says. “Everyone in her office is phenomenal.”
Community Spirit: Keeping the Fight Alive
Even as Kendall faced major surgery and began chemotherapy, her spirit remained strong — and her Spanish Town friends made sure she stayed part of the fun.
“I was supposed to be a judge at the Spanish Town Parade right after my hysterectomy. The weekend I was in the hospital, they put a mannequin of me on the podium while my friends continued to celebrate and throw beads,” she laughs. “It kept me going.”
Kendall also credits her husband, Chris, and her mom, Nettie Kinchen, for keeping her grounded through the hardest days. “I don’t know how people go through cancer alone,” Kendall says.
State-of-the-Art Surgery Close to Home
Her treatment journey wasn’t easy, but Kendall’s determination to stay active in her community, even while recovering, speaks to her strength.
After six rounds of chemotherapy, Kendall’s cancer had shrunk significantly, though not entirely gone. In August 2024, Mo al Efishat, MD, Our Lady of the Lake surgical oncologist and pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgeon, performed a state-of-the-art surgery called HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
This hours-long complex surgery required Dr. Mo and his team to remove her organs to manually remove the cancer and infuse heated chemotherapy directly into her abdominal cavity.
“The recovery was hard, but I got through it,” Kendall says. She spent six days in the ICU then 10 more days in the hospital.
Her support community was right by her side, offering encouragement. Looking forward to her second Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert with her daughter motivated Kendall to keep fighting to recover.
Having access to elite cancer care close to home also made a difference for Kendall.
“I’m blown away that I had high-grade carcinoma stage 3C, and in less than a year I was in remission,” she says. “I couldn’t have had a better place to receive care than here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All the care I’ve received has been phenomenal.”
A Moment of Relief: No Evidence of Disease
By mid-November, Kendall’s scans were clear.
“The moment I heard the words NED, ‘No Evidence of Disease,’ was the moment I felt like I could finally breathe again,” she says.
Now, Kendall is in remission and back at work full-time. But her journey isn’t over. She’s become an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness, sharing her story to help others avoid the same misdiagnoses she faced. “I didn’t know feeling full could be a symptom, and I was unaware that a Pap smear doesn’t show ovarian cancer,” Kendall says.
She’s also raising awareness about the importance of early screening, especially for ovarian cancer. Kendall is determined to make sure that the message about the importance of checking for ovarian cancer reaches more people.
“Have you checked your ovaries?” Kendall asks. “It’s crucial to have regular screenings and ask the right questions. It could save a life.”
Giving Back: A Commitment to Advocacy
Kendall has helped raise funds for Geaux Teal, a local organization supporting patients with ovarian cancer, a cause that’s now close to her heart. Through her work with Spanish Town and other community groups, Kendall has raised awareness and funds to support others going through similar challenges.
And even as she’s in remission, Kendall’s commitment to helping others continues.
“I couldn’t have made it this far without the support of my family, friends and the Spanish Town community,” Kendall says. “It’s a reminder that we don’t have to face difficult times alone.”
On March 29, Kendall will be honored as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes during LSU Softball’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness game against South Carolina. As she continues her recovery, Kendall hopes to inspire others to listen to their bodies, ask the right questions and never give up — no matter how difficult the journey may seem.
