This is the inspiring story of Tanya Cameron. Tanya was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January this year. Since last summer, Tanya started experiencing persistent indigestion and bloating, but immersed in duties of daily life, downplayed the symptoms. 

 

Tanya is 47 year old single Mom of two teenage daughters and two foster kids. She decided to take part in a dance competition last year, so stayed on a clean diet from January to June. In summer she began to lose weight and attributed her GI symptoms to going back to unhealthy eating after the dance competition. However, the symptoms began to worsen. During Thanksgiving Tanya noticed she was very bloated and in pain. At her GYN exam on December 20th, internal exam revealed swelling in the ovaries. Two days after Christmas Tanya had her Ultra Sound that diagnosed a very large mass, almost the size of a baby’s head. Meanwhile her pain had also worsened. Further tests revealed elevated CA 125. She was then referred to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for further evaluation. 

 

Tanya shared with Ovarcome, the fact that she could have cancer dawned upon her for the first time when she received a call from Dana Farber. She went for her first appointment there on January 16th – she was evaluated quickly and was given 24 hours to get her life and her kids in order as she was scheduled for immediate surgery. Tanya underwent a complicated surgery on January 18th to eradicate the cancer. It took her 6-8 weeks for complete recovery. However, getting the treatment she needed was the first great step towards recovery she was so excited about. 

 

Tanya has been a healthy person most of her life. She is a runner, running 3-5 days a week. As a single Mom, she has a busy life. She loves to help people and is always looking out for her kids. She has a special needs daughter who experienced enhanced anxieties upon learning of her mother’s cancer diagnosis. Tanya, a giving person by heart, felt shortchanged with the cancer diagnosis, as she is not used to saying no to her children for being actively present in their lives. 

 

Cancer can be a great teacher. Tanya says the diagnosis has been a humbling experience for her. She has learned to say no – to realize it is OK to say “I am tired” or “I can’t do it today” or “I need your help to understand”. She has been surrounded by solid support from her church, her dance company, her children, her friends and family members. Tanya is especially thankful to her little sister, 13 years younger to her – she has been there for Tanya from the very beginning, balancing her own busy life with three kids and supporting her sister. 

 

Tanya’s sister has been a pillar of strength for her. She told her “We’re going to take each appointment at a time.” Tanya says she so needed to hear that. In a sweet turn to this story, Tanya’s ex-husband has also taken on a stronger role in her life and in the lives of their children and is providing her with the much needed support as she goes through the cancer journey. Tanya recently finished her last chemo – hurrah! Her cancer markers are now down to 7-8, and she is officially cancer free! 

 

Tanya knows her cancer is aggressive, and there’s a 60% chance it will recur in 2 years. But she and her Doctor are staying positive. Losing her hair was brutal, but gaining amazing friendships were extraordinary. Tanya and her Mom had lost touch – but cancer brought them back together after 3 years of no communication. Tanya had an amazing counselor while going through the cancer diagnosis, and was able to confide in her and share her grief and her challenges. Having this amazing support made her feel so much better!