I first met the ‘silent cancer’ in October of 2023. While on vacation the first week of October 2023 I felt generally unwell and my belly seemed more bloated than ever before. By the time I decided it wasn’t just the usual full belly from too much salt or whatever the cause, my belly was fully distended and looking very pregnant at 67 years old. I saw my PCP and without preamble he stated – you either have cirrhosis or ovarian cancer. A few days later I was at the hospital having my first paracentesis to remove over 3 quarts of cancer filled fluid. The procedure itself was quite uncomfortable but after it was over I could finally breath and lost over 5 pounds. Then a few worrisome days later I met with my oncologist. Still hard after all this time to say ‘my oncologist’. At that meeting I again was shocked how easily one can be informed they not only have cancer but also it was stage 3c. As I thought back I remember seeing my GYN in July of 2023 and complaining of right side pain. She performed a vaginal ultrasound which showed ONLY a TINY cyst on the right ovary. Little did she or I know that was the warning shot over the bow that trouble was ahead. I had and exploratory laparoscopic surgery November 2023 and port placement and was advised if it’s bad I could wake up with a colostomy if it had spread. Fortunately it had not spread to the bowel and that was a relief.

I learned quickly about a CA-125 as my first test put it at 371. I stated chemo on 11/15/23 with Taxol and Carboplatin. Taxol the known hair getter lived up to its reputation by mid-week of the second infusion. I learned quickly about the debilitating fatigue, general malaise, loss of appetite, digestive issues, etc. I had 7 cycles in total, one every 3 weeks. I didn’t even begin to feel like I could do much more than sit in a chair until about 5 days before it was time to go again. In February of 2024 I had the debulking surgery and removal of the omentum. By the time i finished treatment my CA-125 dropped to its lowest of 29.4 by May of 2024. I must have muted the doctor anytime he said ‘recurrent platinum-resistant’ cancer. I enjoyed the summer of that year and another vacation celebrating the unswollen belly and feeling cancer free. I just didn’t know I wasn’t free just yet.

In January of 2025 I felt the fluid in it’s gradual return. Another abdominal CT was ordered and I learned the words ‘omental caking’ and evidence of ascites. Another paracentesis was done and started chemo again February 5, 2025 with Elahere and Avastin. I was told that most people had few side effects with Elahere, I wasn’t one of those. That is an evil combo. I think I had all the side effects and was exhausted everyday except a day of so before I was to to it again. Avastin was added the last two treatments when receiving the Taxol and Carboplatin which drove my BP through the roof and an ER trip. So when I started the Elahere/Avastin combo I knew what to expect from the Avastin. My BP remained within reason but for 48 hours after the first two infusions I had a 48 hour non-stop headache. When I started in February my CA-125 had hit a record high of 650. When it was deemed safe to stop treatment with a CA-125 of 84 and a clear CT (no evidence of disease progression) I happily agreed. Also, the doctor was concerned more chemo would increase my already present neuropathy in my toes and fingers.

In the midst of this I found alternative treatment before I began my third of the four rounds of chemo. I sought alternative/holistic care at Knox Wellness. I’m receiving infusions of mistletoe and Vitamin C in addition to multiple supplements they recommended for cancer treatment. It did as they said and helped reduce the side effects of the remaining treatments with chemo and my CA-125 as of last testing at the end of May was 65. Now 11 weeks after my last chemo thanks to Knox Wellness I feel renewed , unlike last year after completing chemo when I lacked energy and felt like I was just getting by.

I feel I have it beat and pray it is. I also am not prone to worry (my husband does enough for both of us) as I know that it’s time consuming and serves no purpose but to debilitate your mental and physical health. I will continue the holistic treatment as long as recommended and continue to enjoy this life I’ve been given.