Biography

Here is my story-

On February 16th, 2005 I woke up from what was supposed to be a routine surgery. I was told the doctors had removed my left ovary and some other stuff. I didn’t understand why. I was angry and confused.
The next day the doctor came in. He explained it to me. He said the word. “Cancer”.
Ovarian Cancer stage IIC.
Chemo was to begin in a month.
6 months of pain and fear.
I’m clear of cancer today… today. Ovarian Cancer is a reoccurring disease. I can’t live in fear though. I’m clear today.

2005 was supposed to be my year I’d get my shit together. I had spent the previous year in a chaotic state. I had split up with my husband, moved, sold a house, started a new job, etc etc etc. By the time 2005 rolled around I was beginning to fall in love again, I was settling into my new place and doing well. I had joined a rock climbing club and a knitting club. My 2005 resolution was to get things in more order (doctor’s appointments, paying bills… stuff like that). My first task was to get myself to the gynocologist for my routine exam. I was late… it had been a year and a half. Next appointment was the dentist.. I never made it to the dentist.

My gyn exam was on January 3rd, 2005. It is amazing how these dates stick in my mind. The doctor at the local county hospital felt a lump. He sent me for an ultra sound on January 10th. The radiologist told me the mass looked very much like a dermoid cyst. I had surgery for a dermoid cyst when I was 21, 9 years earlier. The next day the doctor called and told me I needed surgery. I was very upset because I wanted laproscopic surgery but the cyst was too big. I needed to be cut open. I worried about how this would affect my climbing. I opted to get the surgery done as soon as possible so I’d be well for the summer climbing season. Surgery was schedule for February 17th to be performed by my gynocologist.

I belong to a local climbing gym here in Philadelphia. When I told them I needed to cancel my membership back in January of 05, Howard, the owner, asked me why. I told him I needed routine surgery. Howard was alarmed. No surgery is routine. He strongly encouraged me to talk to Dr. Dan (a climbing partner). I told Dan my story and he insisted I send him my charts and test results. I did. He called me and strongly encouraged me to see one of the best gyn-oncologist in Philadelphia. I asked dan, “Oncologist??? is that necessary?” At this time my records showed no indication I had cancer. Dan’s reasoning was that surgery was a big deal, why not go to the expert? A gynocolgist performs this type of surgery every week. I decided he was right. I didn’t want to have anything removed other than the cyst in question.

Ovarian cancer is a bastard. There are very few symptoms. I often had abdominal pains but I chalked it up to stress and poor eating habits.

It is important to have a gyn-oncologist perform surgery because he was able to diagnose me correctly, remove only what needed to be removed and save my life. I’m even able to have children one day if I choose to.

My chemo treatment was difficult but I was able to climb every day during the two week period in my three week chemo cycle. I also spent lots of time taking pottery classes. During the times I wasn’t able to get out of bed, I tried my best to knit.

I lost all of my hair. I had beautiful hair. It was hot that summer, and I’ve never been the type of person to sacrafice comfort for appearance. Wigs were not an option for me. One day my boyfriend and I were walking to dinner and it was very hot. I asked him, “would you be embarrassed if I took off my scarf?” “no, of course not.” I took it off, it felt great but I realized I was the one who was embarrassed. It felt as though I was walking around topless and everyone else had clothes on. That night night lieing in bed I grieved for my hair. Then I came up with a solution. The next morning I called my boyfriend from the tattoo parlor.
I had a large dragon tattooed on my head. They say, “The dragon can ward off evil spirits, protect the innocent and bestow safety to all who hold its emblem.” It was perfect. I became comfortable with my naked head and people on the street stopped looking at me with pity in their eyes.

It was very important for me to feel productive during my chemo. I excelled at climbing, working my way up to 5.10s between treatments. I went to the gym every day that I was able to get out of bed. I even spent 4th of July weekend at Seneca Rocks in WV. I was able to set goals and achieve them. One climb, one day at a time. I also spent every afternoon that I could in the art studio, throwing pottery. I was selected for an exhibit at Fliesher Art Memorial, in Philadelphia that opened in October. There was a whole room full of my art and I wore a dress I had knitted to the opening. I was very productive.

In July of 2005 I had my last treatment. I went to Sloane Kettering for a double check, was I really cancer free. The answer is yes.

I’m very grateful to my doctors and to the researchers and countless people who dedicate their lives to Ovarian Cancer research.

Life after cancer is different. I am different. I’m dedicating so much of my time to raising money and awareness for Ovarian Cancer research. I’ve been putting most of my efforts with the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation. I lead a team of 12 people to raise over $26,000. I’m in awe and inspired by all of those who helped fundraise and those who have donated. It is time we all gather forces and kill this bastard disease.

Fuck cancer.

During the summer of 2008 it all started again… ovarian cancer, except this time I’ve got a different cell type. My ovaries did indeed hate me… so I got some doctors to kill them.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

2/16/05 – Left Ovary, falopian tube, pelvic tissue, lymph nodes removed
Side effects, horrible scar, numb skin.

9/24/08 – full hysterectomy

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

6 rounds of Carbo Platinum and Taxol from 3/18/05-7/8/05
major side effect after the chemo was stopped: fatigue, memory loss

Started chemo again in October of 2008. Taxol, Carbo Platinum and Avastin. Switched the taxol to taxotere after four rounds because of neuropathy. Major symptoms, nausea, fatigue, nose bleeds, low white blood cells, memory loss, did I mention fatigue?

Fundraising Description

www.bittergravity.com/samantha

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