My mom was my best friend. We would talk every day about anything and everything. We always supported each other during good and bad times.
One day will forever resonate in my mind. It marked the beginning of the most difficult path my mother would ever face: her diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer. My mother, Ann Miller, was the most courageous woman I’ve ever known and I want to share her story in hopes other woman can become more knowledgeable about ovarian cancer and strengthen their ability to be advocates of their own health.
To the right: Ann Miller enjoying life in Pass A Grille, Florida, in Spring 2008. Her and her husband's dream was to spend a few months out of every year in Florida and thanks to Dr. Kelley, her last trip was possible.
In 41 years, my mother never missed a gynecologic doctor’s appointment. She was healthy and very active throughout her life. One day she noticed abdominal bloating, which contributed to some weight gain, but she logically blamed it on her decreased activity through the winter months and was brushed aside. Eventually, she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, which is easily treatable and she moved on with life as normal.
Within the next few months, my parents headed to Florida for vacation. My mom experienced flu-like symptoms on this trip and when they arrived home, she made an appointment with her doctor. A few days before Easter, she was admitted to the hospital where she remained for one week without a diagnosis. Eventually, she was urged to travel from her home in Erie, PA to Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA because of their expertise in the detection and treatment of women’s cancers.
Staff at the hospital in Erie had taken a CA-125, one of the only screening tests available for ovarian cancer, whose results can indicate other diseases and possible misdiagnoses. Magee staff reviewed her previous tests and within 20 minutes, Dr. Joseph Kelley, a gynecologic oncology specialist, diagnosed her with advanced ovarian cancer.
In that instance our lives dramatically changed. We were floored. Honestly, the scariest part was we weren’t very knowledgeable about ovarian cancer and its symptoms or treatment options.
Three short days later, my mother was preparing for surgery to have her fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus removed, as well as her abdominal flap, some lymphnodes, appendix, and parts of her small intestine and colon. My mind was still racing from learning about her diagnosis, so I couldn’t even imagine the whirlwind of thoughts speeding through my mother’s mind.
Dr. Kelley performed the surgery and we were somewhat comforted that his expertise and caring heart would help my mother through this frightening time. My mother made it through surgery just fine, but now had to face chemotherapy at Magee, which newer studies have shown is better received directly into the abdominal cavity.
My father transported my mother back and forth from Erie for two years of treatment at Magee. As time went by, she checked in numerous times with Dr. Kelley, who remained very honest.
There came a point when my mother had virtually no white blood cell count or bone marrow. Dr. Kelley tried to boost these levels, but sadly admitted that there was nothing else he could do.
Magee took care of setting up hospice service for her in Erie. Upon our arrival, hospice already had her bed set up in the living room to ensure a more comfortable atmosphere. After 19 days in the comfort of her home, my mother passed away peacefully at the young age of 63.
Throughout the time of her illness, my mother did not once complain about her condition or treatment. Her positive attitude was contagious. She carried a grace with her that I’ve never before witnessed, even when diagnosed with ovarian cancer – one of the most lethal of women’s gynecologic cancers.
We will be forever grateful to Dr. Kelley and his team at Magee for giving my mother two more years of life she wouldn’t have had otherwise. I can speak for my family that we fully entrusted the Magee staff who cared for my mother so intently.
I strive every day to educate women about being advocates for their own health, especially when it comes to possibly detecting ovarian cancer a little sooner. Women need to educate themselves about the potential risk factors, prevention methods, and some possible signs of the disease because of the lack of detection methods currently available.
When my mother passed, we told people to direct their charitable donations to Magee-Womens Foundation in support of ovarian cancer research at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Every donation, no matter the amount, puts our ultimate goal of curing ovarian cancer within closer reach. While all donations remain at Magee, they have the potential to influence women and infant’s health worldwide.
The research being conducted at MWRI is astounding. Currently, studies are being conducted in search of better detection measures and treatments as well as prevention of ovarian cancer. Help support this cause.
RELATED ARTICLE: Ovarian Cancer Research at Magee Highlighted in Post-Gazette
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING: Ovarian Cancer Research
OUR COMMITMENT: Women’s Cancers
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