Surviving Ovarian Cancer – HealthyWomen

As I said to Jacqueline Fröber

June is National Cancer Survivor Month.

“You look like you’re pregnant.” my roommate said

We both laughed because we knew there was absolutely no chance of me getting pregnant. But my stomach was round, swollen and hard, and I had no idea why. I didn’t do anything different or eat any new foods. In fact, I was eating much less than usual. Because I felt full after just a few bites.

Maybe it was all the diet soda I drank?

Anyway, I couldn’t even button my pants and my stomach hurt, so I drove to the emergency room. The emergency room doctor ordered a CT scan. He was kind and sweet, and nodded to my soda theory. But when he came back with the results, there was no sugarcoating the news. “You have ovarian cancer.” he said

I looked at him in disbelief. They said I had a tumor causing swelling and needed surgery right away.

I was shocked. Of course, I didn’t know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, but how did drinking Diet Coke turn into cancer?

The next morning I had emergency surgery to remove a granulosa cell tumor (GCT), a rare type of ovarian tumor. The surgery was successful, but she still needed chemotherapy. My plan was aggressive. I did this five days a week for one week, one day a week the next week, and repeated this cycle for three months.

The first day of chemotherapy wasn’t too bad. I was a little nauseous and tired. But from the second day, nothing went as I wanted. I kept getting infections that would send me to the emergency room every week. I was always tired and sick to my stomach, even on days when I wasn’t receiving treatment. I had lost so much weight that my previously unbuttonable pants wouldn’t stay up with a belt.

When I was admitted to the intensive care unit with no white blood cells, my oncologist said I needed to stop treatment. “Chemotherapy is killing you,” he said. I was afraid that if I stopped early the cancer would come back, but he was right. I had no choice.

Before I got too bogged down, the test results came back and showed no evidence of illness. I never had cancer. I cried tears of relief as the weight and confusion of the past three months was suddenly lifted.

2025, Janet and her dogs Zara and Lola

Over the next eight years, I continued to have check-ups and everything got better. Then, in a blood test in 2022, the level of cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), an indicator of ovarian cancer, was elevated, so I was worried that the cancer might have relapsed.

I mentioned the higher number during my visit with the oncologist, but he dismissed it. They said the number was not that high so there was no need to worry. I asked if I should get a CT scan just to be sure, but he said there was no need. But he wanted me to go to a dermatologist to check out the little bumps on my legs. I didn’t think a barely noticeable crash was as important as leveling up, but I did as he asked.

I went to the dermatologist, and although a biopsy showed the bumps weren’t cancerous and nothing to worry about, the dermatologist recommended a follow-up exam. “I think there’s something wrong with your body.” he said “Take a CT scan.”

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I already asked my oncologist, but he said he didn’t think it was necessary. The dermatologist called my oncologist, and after the call, he finally ordered a CT scan.

When the imaging results came back and I saw the tumor mass, I was so angry I couldn’t see straight. I knew my numbers were high for a reason. I knew I needed a scan.

Suddenly this thought occurred to me. This is my body, my home and I am the one keeping it safe. I promised myself that I would always listen to my body and never take no for an answer.

I had surgery to remove the tumor, followed by more chemotherapy. I was incredibly nervous about having chemotherapy again, but the side effects weren’t as terrible as the first time.

All was well for a while, but three years later a blood test showed that my CA-125 levels were elevated again. And like a bad version of cancer groundhog dayMy new oncologist said she wasn’t worried. “I’m not showing any symptoms,” she said.

I stood my ground. “It doesn’t matter whether I have symptoms or not. I want to get a CT scan.” She wanted to step back and double check my level first. I said I was fine, but I was getting a CT scan.

Sure enough, the imaging results showed that I had 10 tumors in my stomach lining. The plan was to have surgery like before and maybe chemotherapy, but this was my third time with cancer and I wasn’t 100% sure about my oncologist, so I wanted to get a second opinion.

I had seen an online interview with an oncologist who specializes in treating GCTs, so I emailed him.

To my surprise, he emailed me within the hour. He said he would make time to meet me. I had to go to San Diego. As I researched the costs, my excitement started to fade. I didn’t have money for an impromptu trip to California. But something told me not to give up. A few Google searches later, I learned that various non-profits and organizations allow you to apply to help with airfare, transportation, hotels, and even some meals.

I covered pretty much everything about the entire trip. The generosity of others still brings tears to my eyes. When I met with my oncologist in San Diego, he went over my medical history and treatment plan and told me I was on the right track. He wouldn’t do anything differently. I immediately felt lighter and more confident. Getting a second opinion gave me the confidence and strength I didn’t know I needed and allowed me to trust my medical team. When I got back to Texas, I had surgery and didn’t need chemotherapy, which was amazing for once.

I knew there was a chance the cancer could come back, so I promised myself I would stay up to date on my blood tests and exams and always listen to what my body was telling me. Every day I do my best to protect my home and I couldn’t be happier.

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