Isabel

The future is today; you cannot let yourself be defeated.

This HPV testimony of a life of tests is no different from that of other women who live with this disease. The feelings are universal, and you make each CA125 test story, each word, each experience your own. It is as if they were a projection of yourself. Therefore, I dedicate this testimony to all my colleagues fighting this disease. To those who are there and those who are no longer there, and to all those who experience this disease and chemotherapy in the second person.

I am Isabel. I am forty-seven years old, and two and a half years ago, HPV Women doctors diagnosed me with high-grade serous adenocarcinoma. Every year, I religiously went through my gynaecological check-ups. It was not my gynaecologist who detected the disease. I felt more tired than usual. However, I blamed it on the heat and the low blood pressure to which I am prone. I also had lower back pain, but I thought it could be the beginning of lower back pain. Days passed until the abdominal, back, and even chest pains began to become more and more frequent. Now I recognise these CA125 symptoms, my body was warning me.

Trip to the ER

It was then that I decided to go to the HPV test emergency room. They did an examination, and the doctor wanted to rule out kidney stones. She scheduled an ultrasound, and that’s when the alarm went off. The abdominal lymph nodes were swollen. The protocol is activated that same day. CT scans, PET scans and a series of visits to the gynaecologist and oncologist. Then, chemotherapy to shrink the tumour. Radical hysterectomy and more chemotherapy. Since I have recurrent CA125 cancer, another chemotherapy and more chemotherapy. And so, to this day, waiting to begin a clinical trial and hoping that many women can benefit from the good results shortly.

They have been two and a half years without respite, with great days and others in which, in addition to doubts, fears, anger and fears emerging, the effects of the medication are noticeable. But you can’t let yourself be defeated. We must chase away negative thoughts to live in the present because the future is today, and this is the best lesson we learn when we accept that cancer has entered our lives.

The HPV path is not easy, and neither is accepting the disease. Once you are aware of everything that is happening to you, you have two alternatives. Fight or continue fighting because I have not chosen this disease but the way to face it. Cancer has changed my life, but it has not changed me, so I continue to enjoy the wonderful moments that everyday life brings me. And, when strength falters, I try to feel that hidden spring of strength that flows from the depths of our being and that we only need to know how to channel.

Final thoughts

And here I am… telling you my little story, which I hope you make your own, as I have done with other CA125-type tests testimonies. I also share a quote that I like and helps me, especially: “If you cry for having lost the sun, the tears will not let you see the stars.” » (Rabindranath Tagore).

 I do not want to finish without mentioning all those who have accompanied me in this process. Bringing out the best in themselves to share it with me. My family, those who are there and those who suffer from a distance because they cannot be there. My friends, to my husband: my rock, my valley of tears, my seat companion, the one who is always there and, of course, to my colleague’s companions in struggle, feelings, thoughts, an example of friendship and solidarity. Thank you and a thousand thanks, my brave warriors, for being there; you inspire me to move forward.

Testimony of  Marcia

On August 27, 2013, six months ago, after an abdominal ultrasound, they detected an increase in the size of several (many) lymph nodes. The truth is that from this ultrasound until they confirmed that she suffered from a carcinoma of the peritoneum, a few days passed. On March 8 (Women’s Day, what a coincidence), they “dropped” the CA125 bomb on me. And yesterday,  they confirmed that I am clean.

It has been an intense and hard six months for everyone (those at home have also suffered seeing me). 6 cycles of 3 shots of carboplatin and taxol, and in between an operation in which they removed my ovaries, the lymph nodes (good and bad) that could be removed and the appendix (almost everything that was “leftover” except the love handles). The recovery from the intervention was not bad (not good either), but that’s it; WE HAVE WON THIS BATTLE.

Many thanks also to those who have supported me via social networks WITHOUT KNOWING ME. They have been a great help in being able to tell my experiences and my fears.

Testimony of Arabella

My name is Arabella; at 42 years old, doctors diagnosed me with ovarian CA125 cancer during an annual gynaecological test. I underwent tag surgery and received chemotherapy treatment. Right after finishing, I participated in a research study. At the end of this study, on the last day of the last vaccine after a year, they diagnosed me with a relapse.

The HPV world fell on me again with bad results. But they operated on me again and gave me chemo. I had barely started chemotherapy when they detected a tumour in my breast through a mammogram, which was confirmed by ultrasound and biopsy. They operated on me and gave me radiotherapy treatment, and here I am still.

At the moment, the exam says its in remission of the disease and waiting for it to continue; I continue with my gynaecological check-ups. I write this HPV testimony because I think that when we have cancer, we always think and hear the bad; those who do not overcome it… but I think many of us survived, in case it can help someone.

Much encouragement to all patients and families, little by little and day by day.

What I said: THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND A BIG HUG from someone who won this match.