Terrilyn Chun

March 2020

My cancer journey began in July 2017. For several months I had been experiencing symptoms which I thought were just age related, such as having irregular periods and getting plump around the middle. My gynecologist performed an ultrasound and observed some irregularities and referred me to a gynecological oncologist. I am forever indebted to her for this. I had a biopsy and got my cancer diagnosis. I was stunned.

Things moved very quickly from that point on. Within two weeks of my diagnosis I had a full hysterectomy. My appendix and five lymph nodes, which looked “suspicious,” were also removed. Pathology revealed I had stage III ovarian cancer. The next step was six cycles of chemo over 18 weeks with taxol and cisplatin. I had a bad reaction to the cisplatin and was hospitalized for 7 days. The next time we used taxol and carboplatin which I tolerated better. I had many of the usual side effects like nausea and tiredness. And of course all my hair fell out.

I had just begun a new job in May and felt terrible about being away for six weeks for surgery and recovery as well as being less than my usual energetic self while I was going through chemo. I felt like I was letting everyone down. Fortunately my work family was very supportive and understanding. A colleague whose wife had been through breast cancer made me individual containers of Miracle Broth, which some days was the only thing I could eat. Others cooked soups and baked homemade breads. Another friend hand knit me not one, not two, but FOUR beautiful hats. My favorite was a pink bamboo hat. My friends and family also cooked for me, took care of my dog, and sat with me while I was having my treatments. People sent cards, flowers and small gifts. They sent texts and emails and called just to check in and say “hi.” There was so much negativity going on in the country and the world at this time, but these acts of love and kindness meant the world to me and totally renewed my faith in humanity.

I continued to work through my treatment because I wanted to keep busy and not dwell on what I was going through. It was good to be with other people even if I wasn’t always totally on top of things. Months later when I was out of my chemo haze, I’d ask about something at work, and people would remind me that I was at this or that meeting and had already weighed in. Sure enough, I’d check and see I’d taken notes but literally had no memory of the meeting!

I finished chemo in December 2017. Spring and summer 2018 were wonderful. I went on a family vacation to Disneyland (that’s a picture of me and my family on Splash Mountain!) and had fun hanging out with my two nephews and two nieces. I went with friends to the beach to go razor clamming. My hair grew back. Then in late summer my CA125 started going up. Even though I knew the chance of recurrence was high, I was really hoping that it wouldn’t happen to me. A CT scan showed some small tumors, all less than 1 cm.

My doctor and I had a good conversation about my goals. I liked my job and wanted to continue working as long as possible as I would be eligible to retire in two years. I wanted to have good quality of life and be able to care for myself. Therefore I didn’t want any treatment that would disable me. Though I could have waited, I opted for another two cycles of chemo, this time with two different agents. If the cancer was still platinum sensitive, I’d go on a PARP inhibitor as a maintenance therapy.

I had a good response to the chemo and I’ve been on a PARP inhibitor since Dec. 2018 and am having good results so far. There have been some mild side effects, but nothing debilitating. I’ve been able to be fully engaged at work and enjoy travel and time with friends and family.

I often say I have cancer, but it doesn’t have me. But it is always in the back of my mind. I get anxious right before my every-three-month check up. I now know that I will live with cancer for the rest of my life but that I am also a survivor. There are more treatment options available now than there were five years ago, and medical advancements continue. I hope neither of my nieces will ever have to go through this.

Every time I start to feel down, I remind myself of how fortunate (yes, fortunate!) I am. I have a good job that I like and am still able to do. I have a great medical team that I trust and have good communication with. And I have friends and family that have, and always will be, there for me every step of the way.

However long I have, I want to make the time count! I won’t waste it feeling sorry for myself or being angry. Cancer has made me prioritize what is important to me, and I don’t sweat the small stuff. I try to live my life as best I can and have no regrets. I tell the people I love how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate them. I try to minimize negative thoughts and feelings and focus on contributing positively to my community and making the most of every day.

When I was diagnosed, a good friend and fellow ovarian cancer survivor said, “Welcome to the club you never wanted to be a member of.” Through the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington and the other women who have shared their stories here, I know I am not alone and am inspired to keep going no matter what else comes my way.