Ovarian Cancer :
There is Hope ! Courtesy National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Jackie Urbanczyk is 64 years old . In November of 2013 , Jackie was seeing a new internist for her annual physical exam . Her new doctor performed a pelvic exam during the check-up and felt something unusual . She immediately sent Jackie for a transvaginal ultrasound . An hour later , Jackie found out that she had a complicated mass on her left ovary . Jackie was referred to a gynecologic oncologist and an immediate hysterectomy was scheduled . On Nov . 13 , 2013 , Jackie underwent surgery and was given the diagnosis of Stage III ovarian cancer .
Jackie Urbanczyk
Jackie ’ s doctor recommended IP ( interperitoneal ) chemotherapy , which required a port in her shoulder and another in her abdominal cavity . She underwent six cycles of chemotherapy over a period of 18 weeks . Though the treatments were intense , Jackie tolerated them very well and felt great most of the time . Jackie started to lose her hair 13 days after her first chemotherapy treatment . As soon as her hair started to fall out , Jackie decided to shave her head and donate her hair to an organization that makes wigs for children . At the conclusion of her last chemotherapy treatment , Jackie was told that she had no evidence of disease .
Jackie returned to her part-time job and resumed all of the travel plans she had put on hold after her diagnosis . She was not anxious about her three-month check-up , since she was feeling terrific . However , a scan at the appointment showed that new tumors had grown . Jackie ’ s doctor recommended a biopsy and had it sent out for molecular profiling . Meanwhile , Jackie started chemotherapy again . After three cycles , a scan showed the disease had worsened . By then , the molecular profiling report was back , showing three mutations , along with the agents to use to attack the mutations . Jackie started her new treatment in December of 2014 . Once again , she lost all of her hair . After three cycles of chemotherapy , Jackie ’ s tumors were reduced by 50 %. After an additional three cycles , there was another 3 % reduction . Jackie ’ s body needed a rest from the intense treatment ,
so Jackie ’ s doctor decided to administer Avastin every two weeks , as a preventative measure .
Jackie and her husband enjoyed a 40th anniversary trip to the Canadian Rockies and a family trip to the beach . The reprieve from chemotherapy was a nice break , and Jackie ’ s hair even started to grow back . However , in September of 2015 , Jackie ’ s CA-125 , a tumor marker for ovarian cancer , was elevated . Her doctor started her on a new treatment plan . Jackie has concluded cycle eight of the new treatment . While her CA-125 remains higher than normal , CT scans show that the disease is stable .
Jackie ’ s doctor says that there are no drugs that can eliminate her tumors altogether , and that she will need to be on chemotherapy for the rest of her life to prevent growth of existing tumors . Immunology results have shown complete eradication of tumors in some people , so Jackie is hopeful . She has undergone a total of 74 chemotherapy infusions in a 28-month period .
Even after all of her struggles , Jackie says that she has many blessings . One is that she feels great most of the time . Another is her relationship with her doctor . Jackie says , “ My doctor realizes how important quality of life is to patients like me . She works with me to alter treatment schedules , so I don ’ t miss important moments in my life . For that , I am so grateful .” Jackie ’ s biggest blessing is the support of her family and friends . She has a wonder-
34 DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016