In June of 2022, after more than a year of various health problems that just never went away, my mom was admitted to our local hospital in very bad condition and at what seemed like death’s door. A few short days later she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. We were transferred to UT Hospital to begin her care with Dr. Kimball with UT Gyn Oncology. The odds were stacked against her due to the progression of the cancer and the statistics to make it to remission were very slim.

Her first chemo trio was administered before she was discharged from the hospital and we hit the ground running from there. A port was put in to make administering the chemo easier. After her first 4 treatments, she underwent a full hysterectomy to remove as much cancer as possible. The surgery was very successful. Following a short recovery period, she went on to complete the rest of her treatments, totaling 8, and rang the bell in January of 2023. A follow-up scan declared that she was a walking testimony to God’s miracle work, and she was in remission. Though the road was tough she had achieved what we didn’t think was possible. A maintenance regimen was put in place, and we began to look forward to the spring and summer months ahead in 2023. In August we took a bit of a detour in her cancer journey when she had to be hospitalized for some blood transfusions due to an extremely low hemoglobin level – a secondary complication from her maintenance regimen of Lymparza. Because of this, the maintenance plan was put on hold, and she entered a resting period, or a “wait and watch” period to allow her body to get stronger.

In March of 2024 a new scan showed that Mom’s cancer was active and growing again, so we began a new treatment plan with 6 scheduled chemo treatments. The scan at the end of these treatments revealed that the existing cancer had remained unchanged, and no new growth was noted. This was a Win at this stage of the journey. She got 8 weeks off to rest which she put to good use. During that time, we participated in an amazing TN in Teal awareness walk on the greenway in Blount County. After the 8 weeks of rest, in December of 2024, a new scan showed a resurgence of cancer growth and Mom decided to move forward with a weekly chemo treatment of Topotecan. This was scheduled for 6 months with a mid-cycle scan to check on the cancer. Her scan in March of this year revealed that the Topotecan was not effectively attacking the cancer and there was considerable growth and progression. Many things were discussed at this appointment including “time frame” and thoughts on the path of the cancer progression. Tough conversations that we had been fortunate enough to hold off until now by the power of God’s healing hand and his sustaining Grace!

But we are now at this crossroads of deciding whether to actively pursue attacking the cancer or focusing on her quality of life over the next year. Because she has truly handled all of the past chemo’s like a rock star with rather minimal difficulties compared to many other patients, the decision was made to switch treatment to a chemo called Gemzar which is also a weekly rotation—2 on, 1 off, with a new scan mid-series. Since only God knows the number of days that we each have left, and my mom has surpassed all expectations and soared past the statistics from when this first started, for now she is running head on against this cancer beast with God and all of our praying friends and family by her side. As of now her markers are showing good positive movement and we are taking in each day as a blessing!

Many details have obviously been left out of this already long-winded summary, such as battles with nausea, post-surgery struggles, hair loss, the emotional and mental ups and downs and so on. But we wanted to share as much as we could in hopes that her story will inspire another cancer patient or family member to never give up and to always seek God’s guidance in your care. Look to wonderful support communities such as TN in Teal to hold you up in the tough times of this journey. Never be afraid to fight for yourself or your loved ones when you feel like more can be done and always always Pray!!! God’s Got This!!