Survivor Story: Deborah Pomeranz
Why are we so fascinated by other’s memoirs and autobiographies? To paraphrase the late author, poet and very wise woman, Dr. Maya Angelou, she said, it is because–‘my story is your story and in that way we are all connected.’
My hope is that my story will increase your awareness just a little bit more and perhaps that someone perusing my words or beyond these virtual walls will benefit from hearing about my encounters.
This latest chapter of my journey began to unfold four years ago, in September 2012 — when I read the words ‘suspicious for ovarian carcinoma’ at the bottom of my ultrasound report… However, to fully understand the significance of those words, at that moment in time, it is important for you to know where my path first began.
When I was 11, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. One year later, after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she passed away at the age of 35. The experience was both traumatic and dramatic. That year will forever be imprinted in my memory. I always feared that I was at high risk for hereditary cancer after witnessing my mother’s ordeal. So, in 2005, to gain knowledge and put my mind at ease, I was tested for the BRCA gene mutation.
The results of my multi-site test which focused on three founder sites the Ashkenazi ancestry yielded positive results.
I learned that I had the BRCA 1 gene mutation which increased my risk of not only breast cancer (up to 87%), but ovarian cancer as well (up to 44%) which is a pretty high risk when you consider that the general population has an ovarian cancer risk of about 2%.
Now what?
At the time, I was 44 and my daughter was 7. More than anything, I did not want her to endure what I had experienced as a child. My goal was to reduce my risk of cancer as much as possible; so I chose to have preventative/prophylactic surgery—which included removing my ovaries and fallopian tubes along with a double mastectomy.
By making this choice, I thought I was out of the ‘danger zone’. I thought I was safe. I knew there could be cells left, but that was not an idea I dwelled on.
I continued to live my life and was drawn to organizations which focused on cancer related issues. In 2010 this included North County Cancer Fitness at the inception of the organization — as a member of the board of directors.
Despite my preventative efforts, in the fall of 2012 after reading those words ‘suspicious for ovarian carcinoma’ and many tests later, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer—Stage 4.
To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. Even though I had participated in lecturing on the topic of hereditary cancer and knew that I had an increased risk of ovarian cancer in part because of the BRCA 1 gene mutation, I was stunned.
Once again I would ask—now what?
After this diagnosis, I had several rounds of chemotherapy prior to major abdominal surgery with additional chemotherapy post-surgery.
Although I was in remission following this initial treatment; after 15 months of NED – ‘no evidence of disease’ — an acronym that many cancer survivors embrace — I was diagnosed with a recurrence two years ago in October 2014.
To date, in the last four years, along with the surgery, I have had a total of 42 chemotherapy infusions; 9 months of oral targeted therapy and one month with an experimental oral drug while participating in a clinical drug trial. Currently, I am receiving chemotherapy after we determined that the clinical trial results were not as we anticipated. Onward.
I have also had the recent cherished milestone of moving my daughter into her college dorm. Being present through the high school years, for the second time as a parent was a blessing (literally and figuratively).
My desire in sharing my experience with you is to highlight the unfortunate fact that in spite of preventative measures, there is still a risk of developing cancer–that safe haven that we envision is imperfect. We must be our own advocates and learn to feel empowered in our healthcare issues/needs. It is essential for women to know their family history, listen to their bodies and communicate with their physicians/health care providers.
At times, this road has not been easy–especially during that very first transformative year. I have been lifted by the love and support of many who literally carried me along the way.
A consummate joy in my life during these past four years has been the ability to witness and contribute to the difference North County Cancer Fitness has made for countless individuals; integrating cancer rehabilitation with comradery.
There are other elements that continue to guide me as well.
Among them is a handmade sign that my daughter has on her wall. It is a quote from her yoga teacher—a notion that in its simplicity is really quite profound.
In small letters, it reads, ‘fall down’, in big letters ‘GET UP’; ‘fall down, GET UP’.
It isn’t that we never fall down; but rather when we do, that we get up on our own or with the help of others and keep moving forward. Because, I have learned, that is the only direction for us to go.
Through these words, close your eyes and envision an ovarian cancer survivor who considers herself a warrior, moving forward with the stellar motto of North County Cancer Fitness held firmly in her thoughts: SLOW…STEADY…SAFE…STRONG.
Thank you to “Be The Difference Foundation” for providing this important forum where ovarian cancer survivors can use their voices to connect .