You put positive vibes into the world, you get it back to OVARCOME
Q: How did your ovarian cancer get diagnosed? What were the symptoms and signs you experienced?
A: Last summer (2018) for about 3 months I felt a lump in my lower abdomen. I thought it was from my bladder being full and it just feeling hardened. Then all of a sudden within a month it grew drastically. I made an appointment with my primary doctor. She did a blood test that day and told me to make an appointment with an imaging center to get a CT scan done. My daughter made an appointment for me to get a CT scan done. Once the results got sent to my primary we made an appointment to see the doctor again. She told me my CA levels were elevated over 1700 and with the CT Scan showed a very large mass of 16 cm. She asked me once again if I had a hysterectomy. I had my hysterectomy done in South Korea a very long time ago so I did not know whether it was a partial or full hysterectomy. She believed that that mass could be anything from a part of tissue being left from my hysterectomy or it could be that I had a partial hysterectomy and the ovaries were left intact and it is now the ovaries that have enlarged. She referred me to a GYN Oncologist. I met with the Gyn Oncologist who said I needed to have surgery immediately because of how large it is. He said it is sticking to my pelvic wall. He said he would not know it’s origin until it was removed. I went in for surgery in November 2018. After surgery, the doctor told my family it was ovarian cancer. He said he would not know if it was malignant or benign until the results come back from pathology. A few days later my family and I were told that it was malignant. During our follow up for surgery he said it was stage 2B because of its size. He said it didn’t spread anywhere.
Q: Are you BRCA (+)? If so, how have you shared the relevant information with your family and loved ones?
A: I am not BRCA positive. However, my mother died of pancreatic cancer at 83 and she had colon cancer which was cured around 70 years of age.
Q: What challenges have you faced in your journey with ovarian cancer? Who are your greatest support system through this journey?
A: My greatest challenge was that on top of finding out I may have had cancer, I had no insurance. I was 66 at the time of diagnosis and was supposed to have Medicare. However, I was unable to pay because I was retired and had no income. My daughter worked very hard to get my Medicare reinstated. We went to the Medicaid Office multiple times and the Social Security Office at least 6 times trying to get it reinstated. Luckily, my daughter was able to get my surgery scheduled despite my insurance still not showing up in the hospital systems. My daughter and my brother are still working on trying to get my Medicare reinstated.
My greatest support has been my daughter and my brother. My husband had medical issues including diabetes so he has been trying to help as much as possible. Either my daughter or brother took me to all of my appointments and stayed with me during my chemo sessions. As soon as my son-in-law found out I might have cancer at the time he brought me nutritious supplements to help me battle it. I cook for my entire family a lot including my sister and her husband. My sister and my brother-in-law brought me good food while I was recovering from the surgery.
Q: Tell us about your fresh perspective in life after the life changing cancer diagnosis?
A: I am thankful to God to have given me this life even more now than ever. Seeing my daughter, her husband, and children brings the most joy to me. I get to watch my two grandbabies, age 2 and 5, every day and that is a blessing to me. I get to see my husband, brothers, and sisters and see how much they care for me. I get to see my sibling’s children and their kids grow up. I am very thankful for all those around me.
Q: What is the one message you’d give to a fellow Survivor just starting or going through this journey?
A: As tough as it is, stay positive. Think of your blessings. I truly believe that what you put into the world you get back. You put happiness into the world, you get it back. You put positive vibes into the world, you get it back. Be happy with what you already have.
Q: How has Ovarcome helped in supporting you through your journey?
A: I had no idea my daughter was trying to help me get the financial help I need. I am so thankful that there are people out there who are willing to help strangers. Now I know help is obtainable and it could be right around the corner.
We thank Sunsoon for sharing her inspiration with us! Join us in sending our love, prayers, and best wishes to Sunsoon as she continues on her journey to Ovarcome!
