Marnel Groebner

April 2016

In 2010, at the age of 50, I retired. I was active, ate healthy and was in pretty good shape. My only complaint was a nagging backache I had for a couple of years. I had tried doctors, chiropractors, massage therapy, physical therapy, yoga but nothing helped.

In March 2012, I suddenly began feeling pain in my lower abdomen. The pain was so severe I couldn’t stand up straight. Thinking it was appendicitis, the emergency room doctor ordered a CT scan. That’s when the 9cm tumor was discovered on my right ovary. It was the tumor causing the backaches.

For the next 2 ½ years, I felt caught up in the grueling dance. The steps included surgical removal of the ovarian tumor, recurrence in my mesentery, four separate regimens of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of targeted radiation and three blood transfusions.

But the recurrent tumor continued to grow. In fact, it wrapped around a loop of small intestine causing three partial bowel obstructions for which I was hospitalized. Offered no hope by my gynecologist/oncologist, I prepared to say goodbye to my family.

In November of 2014, I heard of a new clinical trial from a fellow survivor. The trial was for ‘whole body hyperthermia’. With nothing to lose, I flew to San Jose to meet with the gynecologist/oncologist heading up the trial. After seeing my latest CT scan, he recommended surgical removal of the tumor followed by HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy).

On December 23rd, 2014, I underwent surgery to remove the tumor, three feet of small intestine and HIPEC.

The recovery from the surgery was grueling but I truly believe the surgery and my new doctor saved my life.

I am now enjoying my six grandchildren, my doodle puppies, traveling with my husband, quilting, playing pickleball and most of all, my new dance partner, NED (No Evidence of Disease).