Hello, my name is Susie Daly. I am 48 years old. I was diagnosed with Stage 3b ovarian cancer on July 1, 2021. I have been fighting cancer now for 2 full years. I have had 27 treatments total. Just finished the last one on Oct 27, 2023. Have a CT scan in a few days and hopeful to hear the magic words that I am in remission.
I never thought I would get cancer. Not at my age. I still have a lot to do. I have a full-time job; I am a full-time mom and wife. I was shocked! In April of 2021 I went for a 1 mile walk and had a shocking pain in my abdomen. I ended up going to the ER where I was told I had a ruptured cyst and to follow up with my doctor. My doctor did an ultrasound, and I was panicked when I saw the mass on the screen. She ran blood tests and sent me to a gynecological surgeon. He didn’t think I had cancer. Said I was too young. He completed the total hysterectomy and tested the tumor. It was cancer. Stage 3B. Sent me to an oncologist near my home to begin treatment. I started treatment. Had 6 full treatments. Lost my hair completely, had neuropathy. Scans were looking good and was told I might be in remission. This lasted or 4 months then my tumor marker (blood level) started rising. The cancer was back they just weren’t sure where because scans didn’t have much change. I was put on another chemo. I was going to have another 6 cycles. After my 5th cycle, the chemo made me sick. Not to mention all the side effects. This one was awful! Mouth sores, blisters on hands and feet, rashes, everything possible. This treatment also gave me chemo toxicity and put me in the hospital with a lung infection. That was in November 2022, right after Thanksgiving. When I was released from the hospital my family and I decided I was not going to do the last treatment. My oncologist put me on Lynparza. I was on that for a few months and it wasn’t working. I had to complete another CT. This time, the tumors were no longer hiding or too small to see. They were attached to the tissue surrounding my liver. 4 of them. Well, at least we know where it is now. This was a good thing. I began treatment. 6 cycles. Each cycle of this chemo would consist of 2 treatments per cycle so I would have 12 treatments. I was showing improvement with each cycle so the doc wanted me to do 2 more cycles, which would be 4 more treatments. I agreed. Let’s give it all we got!! As mentioned above, I just finished the 16th one.
I guess I have to toot my own horn here because while all of this has been happening to me I have still been working 40 hours a week, as well as running a household and volunteering for my son’s soccer program during the summer and the high school soccer team. I get asked all the time if I am still working and why wouldn’t I be? Life must go on! I am not finished yet.
About 6 months into my journey, my husband had to medically retire, and it was stressful for a while, be we pulled together and got through it. My grandson was born too. He is such a blessing, and I am the happiest grandma ever!!
I have a loving husband, have a teenage son that is still in high school, and my daughter, grandson and son in law lives with me. I also have my stepson living with us. My husband has medically retired and is getting social security. We manage financially with our everyday/monthly expenses but have had a few things come up unexpectedly such as car problems, needing to pay a rather large propane bill for the winter and medical bills. Thank you for your consideration in helping my family. Enjoy every moment you have with your families and stop sweating the small things in life you cannot control. Love each other, hug your family and say hello to friends. You never know when your time will come, and it may be the last time you have a chance!
I am still fighting the fight and have no intention of giving in or giving up. I just can’t! Like I said, I am not finished yet!!