What I Want New “Teal Sisters” to Know

This week marks exactly one-year since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer; and seven months since I had a clean post-chemo scan.

I am one of the lucky ones.

Becoming a “teal sister” took me completely by surprise. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is a sneaky thing. While there are some tests (transvaginal ultrasounds, CA-125 blood tests, etc.) that help detect ovarian cancer, they’re typically offered only to those with very clear risk factors for the disease, such as strong family history, prior cancers, known BRCA mutations, etc.

I, however, had none of those (although I was still menstruating at age 55 and am of Ashkenazi-Jewish descent, also risk factors). So, as a survivor, what would I tell my friends and potential “teal sisters” about my experience?

Know and listen to your body, and don’t ignore warning signs.

I’ve been a runner for about 40 of my 56 years. As I’ve aged, I’ve definitely slowed down. But for at least two or three months last year, I was slower than ever. I just didn’t feel right, and I knew that something in my abdomen hurt. This pain was initially misdiagnosed as a hernia. Because ovarian cancer has vague symptoms (bloating, feeling full, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, etc.), misdiagnoses are common, I’m told. When a specialist ruled out a hernia, my instinct told me to go to another doctor and ask for a gynecological exam.

Exercise, before, during, and after diagnosis and treatment, if possible.

Exercise has long been my anchor, physically, socially and emotionally. During cancer treatment, those years of exercising were like money in the bank. Because I was in good shape, I was able to recover from surgery relatively quickly and withstand a rigorous and aggressive course of chemo (14 consecutive weeks of chemo through a chest port, as well as six sessions of Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, a more concentrated dose, delivered through a port in my abdomen every three weeks.)

Exercise also helped me endure treatment, both emotionally and physically. Many days, I’d feel weak or depressed, but being out in the fresh air, moving, and talking with my friends always seemed to revive me and make me feel better. (Of course, there were plenty of days that I came home and took a nap afterwards.) Read more about exercise and ovarian cancer.

Treatment will be tough, but there will be bright spots, too.

My side effects included overwhelming fatigue, allergic reactions, mouth sores, heartburn, lost sense of taste, hot flashes, losing some of my fingernails and toenails, and ongoing neuropathy in my hands and feet. But through it all, I kept my eye on the prize—the chance to survive and watch my children grow up. Along the way, there were also benefits: the kindness and support of family and friends, not having to tweeze facial hair (middle-aged women, you know what I’m talking about!), and meeting so many amazing and strong fellow patients and the caring and wonderful staff at Roswell Park.

When people ask what they can do, be honest and specific.

Many people wanted to help me during treatment, but didn’t know what to do. So, when people asked, I told them honestly. I’m forever grateful for the rides to chemo, help with childcare and meal prep, gift cards to local restaurants, etc. There were also times I asked to be left alone to rest, and to have my privacy respected.

Embrace genetic testing.

In the midst of all the uncertainty caused by my cancer, it was a great relief to know that I did not carry a gene for this disease and, as such, I did not pass that gene on to my children. [Ed note: Roswell Park recommends genetic testing for all patients with epithelial ovarian cancer regardless of family history. Specific treatment options are available for women with BRCA gene mutations so genetic testing is important to guide treatment choices.]

And finally, this:

You are greater than cancer.

Surviving cancer made me a better and stronger person. It made me more empathetic. It helped me to see kindness where I may not have known it once existed. It made me appreciate so many blessings in my life. And it made me always want to “pay it forward” and help others, as others helped me.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and teal is the color of the symbolic ribbon for ovarian cancer. Join us as we honor those touched by this disease.

Editor’s Note: Cancer patient outcomes and experiences may vary, even for those with the same type of cancer. An individual patient’s story should not be used as a prediction of how another patient will respond to treatment. Roswell Park is transparent about the survival rates of our patients as compared to national standards, and provides this information, when available, within the cancer type sections of this website.