Ep 11 Karen seizing the moment to follow the sun

In this episode, I am talking to Karen Marszalec who was in the throes of moving from Michigan to Florida in America when we spoke. I am so grateful to her for taking time out of her hugely busy relocation schedule to share her story with me. Karen was diagnosed with Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer in 2015 following an abnormal PAP smear, which is very unusual to say the least. The cancer was found in her fallopian tube which is probably why the PAP smear picked up abnormal cells that had migrated. Karen tells me about her initial surgery and disease management including Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) when she experienced recurrent disease in 2020. Karen’s healing process didn’t exactly go to plan following her initial surgery and she tells how she had post-op complications which resulted in readmission to hospital. We chat about the side effects of the Aromatase Inhibitors because Karen now takes Arimidex as a maintenance treatment. Karen tells me how she coped and how she feels following the diagnosis and subsequent management. After all that she has been through, Karen and her Husband have seized the opportunity to move across country to warmer climes to help alleviate the constant joint pains from her medication. It was a pleasure to chat to Karen today and I wish her all the best for the move to Florida. Karen has asked me to share her email address for anyone who would like to be in touch about anything she has discussed in this episode because she would like to be a support to others. She can be contacted via marszak244@gmail.com During our conversation we mentioned Jane Ludeman, who set up Cure Our Ovarian Cancer. This is a charitable trust that fundraises globally for research to improve the survival of low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Jane is very knowledgeable about this rare sub-type of Ovarian Cancer and her website can be reached here: https://cureourovariancancer.org We mentioned STAAR (survive, thrive, advocate, advance research) which exists to raise critical funds for life-saving research for those with low-grade ovarian cancer. STAAR was co-founded in 2020 by three low-grade ovarian cancer thrivers Alex Feldt, Bailey Wolfe and Jess BeCraft. You can reach STAAR here: https://www.staaroc.org We also mentioned an international support group for people with Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, which has been invaluable for Karen. I am one of the Administrators of the group. If you apply to join you need to confirm that you have Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer or have a loved one with this disease. You can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1007723705963894 Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email diane.evanswood@gmail.com You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team.