The Physical Facts
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – I had an ELECTIVE surgery to remove my ovaries. The initial pathology report that was done during the time of surgery came back as “borderline” or precancerous. My bloodwork the next day reflected the same.
Monday, May 4, 2026 – Pathology report came back as stage 2. (temporarily)
Wednesday, May 5, 2026 – At my first appointment with my oncologist at UAB, She told me I have a high-grade serous cancer. It is the most common kind and responds well to chemo. It is also aggressive (which is why it responds well to the meds) and the recurrence rate is high. My doctor assured me that what I have is treatable and curable. My pathology/staging number is incomplete until I have a scan and another surgery to take a closer look at what is going on inside.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – I got a wig. That’s a fact. More on that in the blog.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 – CT scan today. Results were not super clear but it did show disease in a several areas. We will know more tomorrow.
Thursday, May 14, 2026 – I had another surgery to insert a port for chemotheraphy and to scope my abdomen. The results were that my staging, because of where the disease was found, is now stage 3c/4. There was disease seen on the abdominal wall, the diaphragm, and the omentum. In the scan, there was a trace of something in my lung, but the doctor said it may just be a little fluid - no way to know without a biopsy. This little unknown trace is what bumps me to a possible stage 4. Again, I am not dwelling on this. Regardless of the number they put on it, my treatment will be the same. My wonderful doctor decided not to put me through any more than a look at this point and move straight to chemo. I will have another surgery later. Now we know more specifically what we are dealing with in terms of what we can see. There will be additional molecular and genetic testing to help drill down to even more specific treatment/maintenance. The “not knowing” is the hardest part, so I am thankful at this point to know what we are dealing with.
*NOTE: This diagnosis changes later.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – Chemotherapy Treatment #1
I received two chemotherapy drugs: Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Carboplatin (Carbo).
I was at UAB in the Women’s and Infants Center from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Fortunately, I had no bad reactions at all in the process. The nurses were amazing. Johnny was with me the whole time, and Addie came for a while as well. It was much better than I anticipated.
I am doing something called “Cool Capping.” It is something that helps slow hair loss. It is literally a cap that you wear hooked up to a machine that keeps cold water flowing through it. The idea is to keep those blood vessels constricted in the hopes that the chemo does not reach the hair follicles. In order for it to work, I begin 30 minutes before the Taxol, continue the 3.5 hours that I get the Taxol, plus an additional 90 minutes after the Taxol. We will see if it works. During the time I recevie the Taxol, I also wear mitts and socks on my hands and feet with ice packs for the same concept of keeping the drug from my extremities in order to avoid the side effect of peripheral neuropathy. That is one side effect that can be lasting.
May 19 – June 8, 2026 – This is my time between Chemo #1 and Chemo #2. I have had very little side effects this round with the exception of just a bit of what they call “bone pain, which was controlled easily with a little Tylenol. Hair loss begins in week 3.
Week 1 Post Treatment – Typically when symptoms occur. Possible ones are fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, bone pain, and hair loss.
Week 2 Post Treatment – Decreased white blood cells cause a greater risk of infection. Must be careful to avoid those who might be sick. I did not get sick.
Week 3 Post Treatment – Body is in recovery. I am feeling great. Hair loss begins.
Monday, June 8, 2026 – Blood Work to Prep for Next Treatment
All of my levels looked really good. My CA-125 went from 150 to 119.
My white blood cell count was the only thing that was a little low, but they will move forward with my treatment anyway and give me some Neulasta to boost my count after treatment.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – Chemo Treatment #2
Since treatment #1, I received the news that I am eligible for an immunotherapy trial. Starting today, they will be adding a drug called pembrolizumab (AKA Keytruda) to my regimen. This is a drug that has been used for treatment and maintenance for many other cancers; however, for ovarian cancer, it has only been used for maintenance to this point. It was approved by the FDA in February to be used along with chemotherapy. I am happy to add another weapon to my arsenal. The only bad news was that the first treatment doesn’t “count” – actually it counts as extra because I have to have the Keytruda with 6 rounds of chemo so this round starts that cycle.
June 9 – June 29, 2026 – My time between Chemo #2 and #3.
The first three days after treatment I felt a little less than myself. Nothing terrible. Just lack of appetite and very tired one day. I did have a couple side effects from the Keytruda, a rash on my body for a short time and some night vision issues that will resolve. By Saturday after treatment on Tuesday, I felt great. That feeling lasted the entire time up to my next treatment.
Hair loss update: I did continue to shed a great deal until the beginning of the last week in the cycle. Most of it is gone but I still have a short, thin coverage that seems to be holding steady.
June 26, 2026 – Update on Diagnosis
On the day of my last treatment just before we began, my oncologist told me that my molecular testing had come back the day before and something was odd. Those test results reflected that my cancer looks more like a low grade (rather than my current diagnosis of a high grade). She requested my lab slides from the company (Black Box) that did my original pathology so that the pathologists at UAB could run those tests again.
Today, she was calling me with an update. The UAB pathologist have completed all of the usual tests except for one. They are still waiting for Black Box to send a slide they need to conduct the test. However, the rest of the test results show that I have a low grade cancer. This should be confirmed as soon as that last test is complete. For now, I am considering this wonderful news and praising the Lord for it!
As far as my treatment goes, this new diagnosis means that I am no longer in the immunotherapy trial; I will only receive 6 chemo treatments instead of 7; and I will not be receiving a treatment during surgery called HIPEC (Google it. I’m happy not to have to do this.) ANd my maintenance plan will also be different.
June 30, 2026 – Chemo Treatment #3
Now that I am moving forward under the assumption (until that last test is complete) that I have a low grade cancer, I am no longer part of the immunotherapy trial. Today I received the Taxol and carboplatin only – no Keytruda.
CA 125 – 117 (30 is normal)
Plan for CT scan on July 15 and surgery July 29.
July 2, 2026 - Diagnosis Confirmed: LOW GRADE Serous Serous
June 30 - July
My side effects were a little worse this round for the first few days post treatment. I had less of an appetite, a little more bone pain and general fatigue. But by the first Saturday (July 4th) I was feeling much better physically and mentally considering the new diagnosis.
Now I need to prepare for surgery. - food and exercise.
July 15 - CT Scan
July 29 - Debulking Surgery