Patient Stories
Sutter Health Cancer Services
Judith – Fighting Cancer: Mind over Matter
After her diagnosis of ovarian cancer and a subsequent hysterectomy, Judith hoped the worst was behind her. At that time, she was not aware that the next step in her treatment, a unique chemotherapy, would test the limits of her will to survive.
Ovarian cancer is an especially scary diagnosis – Judith knew she had a tough road in front of her. Her doctors came up with an innovative treatment plan that included a hysterectomy followed by six months of intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy – a grueling but promising approach. An active senior and avid exerciser, Judith figured she’d be strong enough to endure this treatment plan.
“My hysterectomy went well,” she said. “Dr. Elliot was wonderful and I had no complications.” Kevin Elliot, M.D., gynecologic surgeon at Sutter Roseville Medical Center’s Cancer Center, performed Judith’s surgery. Her oncologist, Sivakumar Reddy, M.D., was the one who recommended and oversaw the chemotherapy that followed. He explained that her aggressive treatment would consist of six cycles. Each round entailed eight days of hospitalization during which Judith would receive both intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy. She would then be released for 12 days to recover at home, before coming back to thte hospital and repeating another cycle of hospitalization and at-home rest. The entire process would take about six months.
“The first time was OK,” said Judith. “I was sick and miserable, but I tolerated it. I was fighting cancer after all. I knew it wasn’t supposed to be easy. The second time was worse. I felt so physically exhausted and emotionally drained that I had a hard time believing I could make it through more cycles.” Judith’s partner Jackie cared for her during this time – visiting her in the hospital and tending to her while at home. “If it weren’t for Jackie and the staff at Sutter, I don’t think I could have done this,” Judith said.
Judith did her best to keep her diminishing spirits up. “I tried to cheerfully greet anyone who came into my room – whether it was a nurse, a janitor or Dr. Reddy. I liked everyone I met. And I felt like they genuinely cared about me.” This was not easy to do. Judith was so nauseous and faint that it took substantial effort to smile and carry on a conversation. “But that’s who I am,” she said. “And I didn’t want that part of me taken away.”
As Judith struggled to continue her treatment, Dr. Reddy served as not only her doctor, but also her coach. “He was fantastic. He encouraged me,” she said. Dr. Reddy relayed the treatment was progressing as planned and that, despite how awful she felt, Judith was doing well under the circumstances.
After the next rounds of treatment, Judith found herself, once again, feeling horribly sick. “I tried to maintain my positive attitude, but each time I would get sicker and weaker.” Judith’s suffering became so severe by the fourth cycle that Jackie thought she should consider quitting the treatment. “Poor Jackie,” said Judith. “I can’t imagine anyone having to put up with me during that time. She was an angel. And it took a big toll on her.”
Judith discussed quitting the treatment with Dr. Reddy, even though she had only two cycles remaining. “I felt horribly sick. And knowing that I still had another round of treatments frightened me,” she said. But Dr. Reddy convinced her to continue because that would significantly increase her chances of beating this cancer. “Of course he was right,” Judith said. “And I had come this far. I knew I would not forgive myself if I quit and then became even sicker. So, I went back.”
With the support of her friends, Jackie and the people at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Judith completed the treatment. During her hospital stay, she made quite an impression on the staff. “They threw me a farewell party!” Judith said. “They had confetti and gave me a teddy bear and someone even made a cake.”
Looking back, Judith gives a lot of credit to her doctors and the staff at Sutter Roseville. “The nurses knew what they were doing and were especially compassionate, which is what I needed to get though that difficult time. I was impressed with everything there. Even the director of the cancer unit, Debbie Dix, stopped by to see me. It’s a special place.”
Today, a few weeks after completing her treatment, Judith is doing well. “I feel stronger. The chemo took a lot – nearly everything – out of me, but that’s what I had to do and today I’m better for it.” She still sleeps a lot but that is normal after six months of chemotherapy. She has resumed gardening, one of her favorite pastimes. And she’s eager to get back to exercising. “I might take golf lessons,” she said. “I’m one of the only people in my Del Webb community who doesn’t golf,” she said with a laugh.
More information about Sutter Cancer Center.
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