Surviving Ovarian Most cancers – HealthyWomen

As informed to Jacquelyne Froeber

June is Nationwide Most cancers Survivors Month.

“You appear like you’re pregnant,” my roommate mentioned.

We each laughed as a result of we knew there was zero probability that I used to be pregnant. However my abdomen was spherical, swollen and onerous — and I didn’t know why. I wasn’t doing something completely different or consuming new meals. The truth is, I’d been consuming lots lower than standard — feeling full after only a few bites.

Possibly it was all of the eating regimen soda I’d been consuming?

No matter it was, I couldn’t button my pants and I used to be having abdomen pains, so I drove myself to the emergency room. The ER physician ordered a CT scan. He was form and candy, and he nodded together with my soda principle. However when he returned with the outcomes, there was no sugarcoating the information. “You’ve got ovarian most cancers,” he mentioned.

I stared at him in disbelief. He mentioned there was a tumor inflicting the swelling, and I wanted surgical procedure immediately.

I used to be surprised. Granted, I didn’t know the signs of ovarian most cancers, however how did I’m going from Food plan Coke to most cancers?

The subsequent morning I had emergency surgical procedure to take away the granulosa cell tumor (GCT) — a uncommon sort of ovarian tumor. The surgical procedure was a hit, however I nonetheless wanted chemotherapy. My plan was aggressive: I’d go 5 days every week for one week, sooner or later every week the following week and repeat the cycle for 3 months.

The primary day of chemo wasn’t too dangerous. I used to be mildly nauseated and drained. However from the second day on, nothing went my means. I saved getting infections that might ship me to the ER on a weekly foundation. I used to be exhausted and sick to my abdomen on a regular basis — even on the times I didn’t have remedy. I misplaced a lot weight that the pants I couldn’t button earlier than wouldn’t keep on with a belt.

After I ended up within the ICU with no white blood cells, my oncologist mentioned we would have liked to cease remedy. “The chemo is killing you,” he mentioned. I used to be terrified that stopping early meant the most cancers was going to return again, however he was proper. I had no selection.

Earlier than I might get too slowed down by the what ifs, my check outcomes got here again and confirmed no proof of illness. I used to be cancer-free. The burden and the chaos of the final three months had been immediately lifted, and I sobbed with aid.

2025, Jeanette together with her canine Zara and Lola

Over the following eight years, I continued getting checkups and all the pieces was good. Then, in 2022, my bloodwork confirmed elevated ranges of the most cancers antigen 125 (CA-125), which is a marker for ovarian most cancers, so I used to be involved that my most cancers was again.

I introduced up the elevated numbers throughout my go to with my oncologist, and he brushed it off. He mentioned the numbers weren’t too excessive, so he wasn’t nervous. I requested him if I ought to get a CT scan simply to make certain, however he mentioned it wasn’t vital. He did, nonetheless, need me to go to a dermatologist to test the small bumps that had fashioned on my legs. I didn’t suppose the hardly noticeable bumps had been as essential as my elevated ranges, however I did what he requested.

After I went to the dermatologist, a biopsy confirmed that the bumps weren’t most cancers or something to be involved about, however the dermatologist did advocate follow-up testing. “I feel there’s one thing occurring together with your physique,” he mentioned. “You must get a CT scan.”

I felt the hairs on the again of my neck get up. I informed him I’d already requested one from my oncologist, however he didn’t suppose it was vital. The dermatologist known as my oncologist, and he lastly ordered the CT scan after the decision.

When the imaging outcomes got here again and I noticed the cluster of tumors, I used to be so mad I couldn’t see straight. I knew my numbers had been elevated for a cause. I knew I wanted a scan.

Abruptly it hit me: That is my physique — my home — and I’m the one in command of maintaining it protected. I made a promise to myself to at all times hearken to my physique and by no means take no for a solution.

I had surgical procedure to take away the tumors and, then, some extra chemotherapy. I used to be extremely nervous about getting chemo once more, however my negative effects had been nowhere close to as horrible as they had been the primary time.

Every little thing was good for some time, however three years later, my bloodwork as soon as once more confirmed elevated ranges of CA-125. And like a nasty most cancers model of Groundhog Day, my new oncologist mentioned she wasn’t involved. “You’re not having any signs,” she mentioned.

I stood my floor. “I do not care if I’ve signs or not. I need a CT scan.” She pushed again and needed to test my ranges once more first, which I mentioned was wonderful, however I used to be getting that CT scan.

Positive sufficient, the imaging confirmed I had 10 tumors on the liner of my abdomen. The plan was to do surgical procedure and presumably chemotherapy like earlier than, however since this was my third time having most cancers, and I wasn’t feeling 100% about my oncologist, I needed to get a second opinion.

I’d seen an interview on-line with an oncologist that makes a speciality of treating GCTs, so I emailed him.

To my shock, he emailed me again inside an hour. He mentioned he would make the time to see me — I simply needed to get to San Diego. My pleasure started to fade as I researched the price. I didn’t have the cash for an impromptu journey to California. However one thing informed me not to surrender. Just a few Google searches later, I discovered I might apply to have my airfare, transportation, resort — even some meals — coated by numerous nonprofits and organizations.

I ended up getting just about the complete journey coated. The generosity of others nonetheless brings tears to my eyes. After I met with the oncologist in San Diego, he seemed over my well being historical past and my remedy plan and informed me I used to be heading in the right direction. He wouldn’t do something in a different way. I immediately felt lighter and extra confident. Getting that second opinion gave me confidence and energy I didn’t even know I wanted, and allowed me to belief my healthcare group. After I acquired again to Texas, I had the surgical procedure and didn’t want chemotherapy, which was a pleasant shock for as soon as.

I do know there’s an opportunity the most cancers will come again once more, so I keep updated on my blood work and scans and I’ve made a vow to myself to at all times hearken to what my physique is telling me. Daily, I do all the pieces I can to guard my home — and I couldn’t be happier.

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