From Coach to Patient
Nov 09, 2026
Read Time: 4 Minutes
Jodi Maxfield and the BYU Cougarettes won top honors at college nationals in jazz and hip-hop
Takeaways: Jodi Maxfield was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer while serving a mission in England, she
found hope through expert, coordinated care and the support of family and friends.
Jodi credits her husband, family, friends, and former Cougarettes with helping her through the most
difficult days.
Impact: Advances in ovarian cancer treatment, including specialized approaches such as HIPEC,
are helping patients access more effective, personalized care and improved outcomes
For decades, Jodi Maxfield helped others achieve their goals. As the longtime coach of the Brigham Young University Cougarettes, she guided dancers through challenges, celebrated victories, and inspired countless young women along the way. But last February, Jodi faced a challenge unlike any she had encountered before.
At the time, Jodi was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England with her husband when she began experiencing concerning symptoms. Her stomach became severely swollen from ascites, a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, prompting a visit to the emergency room. After 14 hours in the ER and additional testing, doctors discovered a tumor and delivered life-changing news: a diagnosis of stage 3 ovarian cancer.
"The world just started spinning around me," Jodi recalls. "I knew we needed to go home from our mission."
Returning Home and to Huntsman Cancer Institute
Once she was back in Utah, she had to make important decisions about her health quickly. Jodi turned to Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U), where she found herself immediately surrounded by experts ready to help.
About a week after returning home from England, Jodi was admitted to Huntsman Cancer Institute where she met Kathryn Maurer, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Dr. Maurer came to Jodi's hospital room to meet her and begin planning her treatment, providing expert care during an overwhelming and uncertain time.
Jodi Maxfield during her treatment journey at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Jodi remembers Maurer and her team as attentive, caring, and reassuring during an overwhelming time. Jodi's care was led by Theresa Werner, MD, gynecologic oncologist and division chief of oncology at Huntsman Cancer Institute who became an important part of her cancer treatment.
The pace of treatment surprised her.
Doctors began her on chemotherapy while she was still in the emergency room, leaving little time to process what was happening. Jodi did not know exactly what to expect. One of the most difficult moments came when she began losing her hair a few weeks into treatment, a visible reminder that cancer had become part of her life.
Still, she never faced her cancer alone.
Surrounded by a Team of Support
Jodi Maxfield with her family, who supported her throughout her cancer journey
Throughout treatment, Jodi found strength in the people around her. Her husband became a constant source of support.
"I don't know if I could have done it without him," she says.
Her family, friends, and former Cougarettes also rallied around her, offering encouragement, prayers, and practical help when she needed it most. Jodi affectionately referred to her daughter, McCall, as her "cancer angel," who was there with her mom during many of her treatments.
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, Jodi also found confidence in her medical team. She describes them as her "dream team." From surgery and chemotherapy to specialized procedures such as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), an advanced treatment that combines surgery with heated chemotherapy to target cancer cells in the abdomen, she felt supported every step of the way by experts who treated not only her cancer but also cared deeply about her as a person.
As difficult days gave way to better ones, Jodi remained focused on reaching an important milestone.
A New Perspective on Life
Jodi Maxfield rings the bell alongside her husband after completing treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Six months after her cancer diagnosis, she rang the bell at Huntsman Cancer Institute marking the completion of her treatment.
The moment represented far more than the end of chemotherapy. It was a celebration of perseverance, faith, family, and the countless people who had helped carry her through the most challenging months of her life.
Today, Jodi says cancer has changed her perspective. She has gained a deeper appreciation for each day and for the people who stood beside her through her difficult cancer treatment. She remains grateful for her family, her care team, and the opportunity to move forward with renewed purpose.
Advice for Others Facing Ovarian Cancer
For anyone newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Jodi hopes her story offers hope. Trust your care team, lean on the people who love you, allow others to help, and above all, never lose hope.
What began as an unexpected medical emergency during a mission in England became a defining chapter in her life, testing Jodi's strength in every way. Through exceptional medical care, unwavering support, and determination, she found her way through one of the most difficult challenges of her life and emerged with an even greater appreciation for each day ahead.
Patient Stories
Ovarian Cancer
HIPEC
Gynecologic Cancer
