I was diagnosed 2007 of May with Stage 3 ovarian cancer.
So, we migrated in 2006 of September.
We did not expect that challenge is going to face us when we arrive the country.
We met with an oncologist and then with a nurse who's going to take care of me and
they discuss with us the chemo program.
So I finished the chemo, the results came back, I was negative and I was okay. I was cured then.
But after a year, so, I started to have that pain.
And we had a series of tests and yes the cancer is back.
It was tougher this time, and for the kids it seems that that became a norm that I was sick.
I was back and forth the hospital, chemo, coming back feeling really sick.
After the chemo, six or seven again, good, I was healed again.
And we were hopeful that, okay, this is again good, we can go on, move on with our lives.
And then after 10 months, I started to feel the pain again.
This time the test wasn't showing a very favorable result.
Joahnna was one of my first patients when I started working at the Juravinski hospital and the Cancer Center.
At that time, Olaparib was one of the medications
that we were using as part of research, or clinical trials, and that was offered to Joahnna.
So my husband Jerry and I, we were talking, we read through it and said let's go for it.
What could be the worst side effect, cancer? Hello?
So we'll do anything, really, to, to prolong my life or to survive this battle.
I just keep on taking the the trial.
Years had passed and cancer did not come back.
Until it reached 10 years of the trial, and cancer did not come back.
And up to now, I'm on my 12th year of being cancer-free
because of the trial drug, Olaparib.
One of the things with Joahnna is she has changed practice throughout the world with her input in this clinical trial.
And in fact, everywhere that we talk about the drug that she's on, she's the patient that people talk about.
And so it's been really exciting being part of that experience with her.
We are one of the leading sites for gynecological cancer treatment.
We have a strong clinical trial department and we do have access to studies
that have been initiated locally, nationally and internationally.
Without research, even the drugs they take every day like Tylenol, we wouldn't have without research.
And so we see that research can make huge differences in treatments and potentials for cures down the line.
They made sure that they gave the, the, fantastic care, the exceptional care.
I couldn't even say care - I think it's more love.
Love for me and my family. That's what I experienced from Juravinski Cancer Centre.
Their research, their trial was fantastic. That's the reason I'm here.
And I thank God every day for using the people, Dr. Jimenez and Shirley Ann,
who was my research nurse back then, who really stood by and made sure that I survived.
So, thank you.