Liliana Saunero-Nava

April 2023

My name is Liliana Saunero-Nava. I am a mom, wife, physician, and a current warrior against ovarian cancer.

To understand my story, you need to know the fact that I have multiple food intolerances; so, having abdominal pain was never abnormal for me.

My journey with cancer started in June of 2017 when I was admitted with what at the time was thought to be an abscess on the right side of my large intestine. Even though a voice inside me knew there was something very wrong, I chose to accept the diagnosis of diverticulosis.

In September of that year I went into full menopause. The fatigue and every other change I experienced was blamed on that and the very stressful work life I was experiencing. I just did not want to lose, and could not lose, my job because of absenteeism. In spite of the pain getting much worse, an almost 20-pound weight gain, and relentless fatigue, I kept working, being a mom, wife, doctor, church volunteer, all of it.  After all, the CT scan did not show cancer, right? WRONG!

In late April or early May of 2018, I started bleeding rectally. I finally agreed to another CT scan, and on May 11th my dear friend, my doctor at the time, gave me the report to read. The first phrase, describing disseminated ovarian cancer, is all I read. My poor husband did not comprehend a thing. Without any tears and in incredible peace, I asked my doctor for a plan.

That night our Pastor and church friends came to our house to pray, and I was able to completely surrender to my God and acquire solace, peace, and acceptance that even though I didn’t understand His plan, My God knew better.

I had a biopsy two days later. Five days after that I had a port placed, and two weeks later I was receiving the first chemo cycle of many to come. After debulking surgery and more chemotherapy, I went into remission and was placed on maintenance therapy with such intense side effects that I was forced to retire. After 33 years of practicing medicine, I resigned from my position at St. Joseph’s Hospital and cried. This was the first time I had cried since my diagnosis, and I kept crying for almost a year.

Since then, cancer has recurred twice after complete remissions, and currently I am about to start a new treatment.

Do you know the song “Blessings” by Laura Story? Her lyrics say: ‘What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?’

Well it is as simple as that; cancer might have tried to crush me but instead God has made me stronger than ever. He surrounded me with an incredible husband, son, a family that came to see me, care for me, and love me from all parts of the world. He surrounded me with a loving church, and solid and consistent friendships. He gave me an incredible, caring, and knowledgeable medical team. He is giving me the chance to help women in my position.

With God and all of these blessings I know I will beat the odds.

To all the women present- PLEASE listen to your bodies, get yearly exams with a pelvic exam, and NEVER let any anybody or any situation prevent you from taking care of yourselves. Remember the oxygen mask goes first on your face, then on whom you are going to help.

GOD BLESS YOU.