Mother Succumbs But Daughter Hopes To Ovarcome.
On this Mother’s Day, we bring you this special feature story on Annie Tolentino and her Mother. Both Annie and her Mother have walked the journey of ovarian cancer diagnosis. After two short years upon diagnosis, Annie’s Mom passed away from ovarian cancer this January. BRCA 1-2 positive, Annie has three young children 14, 11, and 9. Annie shared her powerful, and inspiring story with us in the hope to shine a light on ovarian cancer and the critical need for awareness on this disease.
Annie says “I no longer restrain myself when I think I have something to say. And this is why I’m sharing my story to the world. The world need more awareness. The number of people dying from ovarian cancer need not be as high as it is.” This is a Mother-Daughter story to remember – to seek strength from, and to inspire all of us to continue to raise awareness on ovarian cancer,. Because, TOGETHER, we can Ovarcome! Happy Mother’s Day to all our wonderful readers! 💖💖
Q: How was your ovarian cancer diagnosed? What were the signs and symptoms you experienced?
A. I remember calling the advice nurse in mid-2016 and reporting a sharp pain on my left pelvic area. From that day, I’ve had a dull pain from the same spot. At that time my Mom was going though chemo for the same cancer, so my awareness toward my own symptoms was very high. Knowing my potential risk, I asked for a vaginal ultrasound, colposcopy, pelvic exam, and CA-125 that was never something a woman my age should be getting due to “false positives”. The vaginal ultrasound showed my right ovary, but not my left. It also showed polyps, which I was told may have caused the CA-125 to be north of 9000 (yes, it was extremely high!). After all these tests, they ruled that there wasn’t anything to worry about. Later that year, I started having multiple periods. My OB-GYN said it could just be hormones and that it may go away if I considered taking pills. I refused. A couple months in the new year, my belly began to swell. I remember my Mom experiencing ascites during a phase in her diagnosis, and I began to see in me what I saw from her. It was frightening. I demanded a CT scan that subsequently confirmed what my instinct had whispered to me. I was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer in February 2017. To this day I still wonder if the spread could have been managed better if early detection was made available to me during that first call in
Q: What challenges have you faced in your journey with ovarian cancer?
A. My Mom was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in 2016 and passed away just this January 2018 after battling the disease for 2 years. I wish there’s more out there for ovarian cancer. More information, more awareness, more testing. More doctors and medical professionals, more organizations, who will advocate for women. I am an educated professional, and I asked the right questions, at the right time. I knew my potential genetic risk, I saw the symptoms, I consumed what information was available online for me, but I was still diagnosed late. I think about this, and I wonder: what about others? What about those women with no voice, no education, no information?
Q. How have you learned to thrive in the face of ovarian cancer?
A. I’m a mother of three young children ages 14, 11, and 9. It pains me to know that the same organ that gifted me my three children, is the same organ that has tried to take me away from them. I have gone through a total hysterectomy and six cycles of chemo. Two months after my last treatment, I was back on the operating room for exploratory pneumoperitoneum and had to be opened up again. My battle scar is 35 stitches long and I’ve dealt with all the physical and emotional trauma of those things combined. I’ve learned that my body will survive what my mind and heart wills it to do. I will to live. I will to be around for many years, I will to see my children pursue their dreams. If I can will, so can others.
Q. Tell us about your fresh perspective in life after the life changing cancer diagnosis?
A. Before cancer, I thought I had a good perspective on life. I took the time to fill my family’s memory bank. We take road trips, and we sit down for dinner, and we unplug our gadgets, and we pray at night. Every night. When cancer happened, I realized there should be more. More exploration, more talking, more asking each other questions, more hugs, more “I love you’s”, more praying together. I’m living my life knowing that this is my second lease at it. I no longer restrain myself when I think I have something to say. And this is why I’m sharing my story to the world. The world need more awareness. The number of people dying from ovarian cancer need not be as high as it is.
Q. How do you manage the life limiting impact of illness and possibility of recurrence?
A. I’m very cognizant about this, I think it’s important to understand the physiology of the disease, and how I can help improve my chances of survivorship. I’ve since been more deliberate of my food choices, not just for me, but for my entire household since I am the one shopping for groceries and preparing food for my family. I need to get better about exercise, I know my body needs it. There’s that, and then of course, there’s the spiritual aspect that cannot be taken away from me. I believe that God is the true healer, and in partnership with him, I know I will be well.
Q. How has Ovarcome helped in supporting you through your journey?
A. I stumbled upon Ovarcome on Instagram, I follow a few fellow patients there, and somehow came across Ovarcome’s account, which often posts positive resources and stories about the disease. Since information on IG is limited to a photo, I sought them out on Facebook and subscribed to their page. This organization has a plethora of information about ovarian cancer, and they are really thoughtful about the information they distribute online. They have been a lighthouse to the community of patients, caregivers, survivors. I make it a point to read/view every new content they have, which comes at least once a week. Such a great resource and advocate!
We thank Annie for sharing with us her love and light! We wish Annie and all our followers A Very Happy, Healthy, & Memorable Mother’s Day!
