Becky Coulson

December 2013

In May 2007, at age 63, I saw my doctor for a routine physical (including a conversation about my increase in acid reflux) and some blood work. While waiting at the lab, I read an article on ovarian cancer. As I read the symptoms, I realized I had all of them. However, I dismissed them as I had just been at the doctor for my annual physical.

Those symptoms, and my discomfort became worse. I went to urgent care for what I thought might be a urinary tract infection. The doctor on duty sent me to my gynecologist. After the exam, my Gynocologist ordered a CA 125 blood test and a transvaginal ultra-sound. Usually these referrals take time; however I had my appointment in two days. After the exam was finished, the tech informed me that the doctor wanted to do the test again to check the results. He repeated the exam which alarmed me. I was told I would be scheduled for a CT scan. I was given no other information.

I went home and got on the internet to see what CA 125 tests for. When I saw it was for ovarian cancer, I was very concerned. My fears intensified when the CT scan was scheduled for the next day. After the CT scan, I went to my primary care physician’s office — just upstairs — to ask to have the doctor call me. Instead I was given an appointment for that afternoon.

When I returned for the appointment, I took my husband for support because I was beginning to think this could be serious. While talking with my doctor, the results from the CT scan came in. The doctor handed me tissues and said all evidence pointed to ovarian cancer. She also told me I would be hearing from a Gynecologic Oncologist. This was late Friday afternoon.

On Monday, the Gyn Onc informed me I had what appeared to be a cancerous growth on my right ovary with possible cancer on my colon and bladder as well. He suggested I schedule surgery quickly.

I had surgery that Thursday. I had a complete hysterectomy. My bladder was “shaved”, and the omentum was removed. They checked my colon for cancer as well. A port was put in my abdomen to use during chemotherapy. I was diagnosed with Stage 3B Papillary Serous Ovarian Cancer.

After a four-week recovery from surgery, I began six rounds of chemotherapy. My schedule was two weeks of treatment and one week off. I was treated with Cisplatin, Taxol, and Taxotere.

I received drugs in the abdomen port and in my chest port. My CA 125 numbers began to drop quickly. By round three, my numbers were in the normal range. After completing six rounds of the scheduled chemo, I was scheduled for consolidation chemo once a month for one year of taxol which had to be changed to Taxotere after four treatments because of neuropathy.

I attended the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (ONCA) conference in Washington, DC in 2007 and 2009. My daughter and granddaughter accompanied me to the 2009 conference. We were able to meet the staff of our senators and congressman to lobby for additional funding for ovarian cancer research. The conferences also brought us up to date with research and treatment. It was a very empowering experience.

I remained in remission for four and one half years. I had gall bladder surgery Dec. 24, 2011. At that time, the surgeon discovered my cancer had returned. I had tumors on my liver and peritoneal lining. I once again began treatment — this time, the drugs used were Avastin, Gemzar, and Taxol. After six rounds of these three drugs, I was put on maintenance chemo for a year. I received Avastin once every three weeks. I am currently in remission. My CA 125 is 12, which is well within normal range.

Editor’s Note: Becky resides in Vancouver, WA. She is a former teacher and high school counselor (retired in June 2012). She has three living children, six grandchildren and three great-grandsons. She loves to travel, cook and study new things. She is planning on attending the national ovarian cancer conference, hosted by OCNA, in July 2014.