I am a seven year ovarian cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at age 52. I had been an avid runner for a long time, and had gotten used to running through pain. It was easy for me to play the “mind over matter” game that might have been the beginning of my demise with cancer. I had been having intermittent abdominal pain for at least a year – one of the classic and persistent symptoms of ovarian cancer.

I had other symptoms during that year as well. My primary physician suggested that I take Mylanta or Tagament for the abdominal pain. It didn’t help. More of a frustration to me was my ever-increasing girth. I just got bigger and bigger until all I could wear comfortably were elastic waist banded pants. I was experiencing extreme fatigue, bowel problems and eventually pain during intercourse.

My annual physical exam took place in September of 1999. After a year I was still complaining of these physical issues thinking they were hormonal and age related. I think my primary physician thought the same. She ordered an ultra sound the following week but I had jury duty, so it was moved to two weeks out. At the end of the first week of jury duty my abdominal pain was relentless. I knew something had to be very wrong so I called her and was able to schedule an appointment immediately. She did another pelvic exam after having done that just the week before. Afterwards, she suggested that I go right to radiology for a CT scan.

After the scan I was told by a medical staff that I had “a large mass and ovarian cancer was suspected.” Cancer? I didn’t have any family health history of cancer. I was terrified and felt like my life was spinning out of control. I was by myself when given the news and I sat there in numbness and disbelief, trying to figure out how I’d break the news to my husband and adult children. I have a strong faith and it was important that I knew others would be praying for me and for my family. So, I made one phone call to get that going. Then I sat, waiting for someone to come and take me to my room. They hospitalized me on the spot and later I learned how totally unnecessary that was.

I was transitioned from my primary care doctor to a gynecologic oncologist, vital to anyone diagnosed with this disease. My medical team was a gift from God. I didn’t have time to research doctors – there would be no “picking and choosing.” And still without that, I believe I got one of the best. I’ve never discounted what he has done for me nor will I be disappointed in what I know he cannot do.

After a hysterectomy and debulking, I had eight rounds of Taxol and Carboplatin. I was diagnosed stage IIIc. The typical side effects of the drugs were mostly minimal I can thankfully say. However, I developed an ugly, itchy and painful rash on my scalp. The constipation was the worst!

Things were going well for three years. But then I glimpsed another storm brewing on the horizon. My CA125 (which has worked well for me, so far) started to creep a little in January of 2002. I was to have my port removed then but I decided against that and kept watch on things. By summer it was in the 40s. I got a second opinion and a PET scan – no significant findings. OVCA reared its head again in October of 2002 – this time in my liver. There was no surgery, and we repeated chemo with six rounds of Taxol only. I had the same scalp problem and eventually learned how to manage the severe constipation.

My CA125 was over 3,000 in 1999 – dropped to 450 after surgery – settled at 3-5 for almost three years before the recurrence. It’s been around 5-7 since my last treatment in 2003. My only remaining visible sign of cancer is the lymphedema I ended up with in my right leg – a big humbug for sure.

But I’m grateful for the seven years added to my life since 1999. Life is a gift and I try to maximize every day. Part of the maximizing is culling as much negative influence from my life as possible – making decisions with thoughtful intention - “giving back” through volunteer efforts with MOCA. Besides educating and heightening the awareness of the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer, I am willing to be a resource for other women who have been diagnosed with the disease – offering help, hope and new possibilities.