The latest update is January 7.
In March 2023, Diane was diagnosed with cancer in multiple places in her abdomen. At the time, the oncologist described it as peritoneal or metastatic ovarian cancer.
The treatment protocol began with three rounds of chemotherapy. This treatment (with its difficult side effects) lasted 9 weeks with an interval of 21 days between each infusion. CT scans and blood work revealed that these infusions were effective in reducing the amount of cancer.
In August 2023 Diane had surgery to perform a complete hysterectomy and to remove all observable cancer in the abdomen. This included removing the omentum. Testing of cancerous tumors confirmed a diagnosis of metastatic ovarian cancer.
After waiting 5 weeks to recover from surgery, Diane endured three more 21-day intervals of chemotherapy. After completing this chemotherapy, she began a 'maintenance' regimen of a single cancer drug via infusions every 3 weeks.
The ongoing 'maintenance drug' infusions did not create the difficult side effects of the high-potency infusions, but uncomfortable neuropathy became worse. Walking is uncomfortable. In addition to the neuropathy, there are frequent shooting pains in various other places.
Diane's CT scans remained clear in 2024. However, a PET scan in September 2024 revealed enlarged and suspicious lymph nodes in her abdomen. As a result, her oncologist recommended resuming chemotherapy with a different drug combination. She began this new regimen in December 2024. It was scheduled to end in June 2025 after 8 cycles. There were troublesome side effects, especially during the first 7 to 10 days after each infusion, e.g., neuropathy, joint pain, and growing tired easily. All in all, Diane felt much better after these infusions than after those of 2023. However, fatigue became a significant problem after 6 cycles. The 7th cycle was delayed, and the last cycle was canceled entirely. Fatigue continued and Diane's eating was slow to return to normal. She would get hungry, but food didn't usually appeal to her.
In September 2025 a PET scan was ordered to determine the impact of the recent chemotherapy. Miraculously, the scan revealed that cancer was no longer present in the lymph nodes, however the scan revealed a spot in the liver and a spot on the left chest wall. It was decided to treat these new spots with focused radiation. Five radiation treatments were administered over the course of 10 days in November 2025.
Apparently unrelated to the radiation, Diane began experiencing a week-long episode of fever and increasing fatigue in the middle of November. Her symptoms did not respond to the prescribed antibiotic. As a result she was admitted to the hospital. After many days of treatment with a broad spectrum of antibiotics she continued to suffer and doctors were not in agreement. Her need for continuous oxygen received the attention of her pulmonologist. The diagnosis of the pulmonologist led to a different treatment protocol and Diane began to recover. After 6 days in the hospital, Diane was released without the need of supplemental oxygen – a wonderful answer to prayer!
Diane is scheduled to resume receiving maintenance infusions every three weeks. The drug doesn't kill cancer cells, but inhibits their growth by starving them of nutrients. A follow-up PET scan is also expected soon. If this scan reveals that the cancer is still present, or has grown, there are very few options left. Other sets of drugs that are prescribed for some ovarian-cancer patients are known to be ineffective on the genetic makeup of Diane’s particular cancer. Participating in clinical trials of new drugs may be an option.
The results of Diane's PET scan revealed that last year's radiation treatments were successful and no additional radiation is needed. The scan also revealed that here are no new instances of cancer elsewhere! We are praying that a cancer-marker test at an upcoming infusion will confirm the radiologist's report. We expect to learn of next steps in appointments with her infusion oncologist and/or her gynecologic oncologist.
We are grateful for the past 3 years of life under excellent care, and immensely grateful that we personally know and are loved by the Great Physician. We are simply praying for His healing, hoping to continue to hear the words of Matthew 8:3, Mark 1:41, and Luke 5:13, where Jesus replies: “I am willing!”
Your prayers are important and appreciated. God has been good each step of the way! He provides encouragement and peace in multiple ways. You can discover these ways in our updates, Diane's personal notes, her favorite scripture passages, and music.