Triple T - Tiff's Teal Team
Tiff's Ovarian Cancer Story
*Delayed the start of my masters program at the University of Calgary until the next year.
August 2019 - I started my MSc degree at the University of Calgary.
January 2022 - Just as I was doing my final preparations on my thesis, I found out that my cancer was back and it was now metastatic.
* Put my masters degree on hold again.
March 2022 - I had major surgery, which included a full hysterectomy and tumour removal. At this point, the tumours had spread all throughout my abdomen and my oncologist/surgeon took everything that she could see.
May 2022 - I started chemotherapy. The recommendation was 6 rounds of Carboplatin and Paclitaxol.
May - October 2022 - I completed 5/6 rounds of chemotherapy. My body did not like it all. I had severe anaphylactic reactions to Paclitaxol, and then that was followed by months of awful chemo side effects. But I got through it.
October 2022 - My CT scan showed one small tumour left. I started long-term hormone treatment to look after it.
January 2023 - I returned to the University of Calgary to finish my masters degree.
April 2023 - My CT scan showed that the small little tumour from October had grown and there was a couple of other small tumours nearby to form a little ovarian cancer cluster. Ugh!
April 2023 - I defended my thesis and passed!
May 2023 - Hormone treatment was changed, and I also started mistletoe IV's with my naturopath.
May 2023 - I graduated from the University of Calgary with my MSc in Community Health Sciences.
July 2023 - I started my new job as an instructor in the Therapeutic Recreation degree program at the University of Lethbridge.
July 31, 2023 - I had another CT and PET scan to see if the medication change and mistletoe have taken care of my little cluster of tumours. Unfortunately the scans showed more growth.
August 10, 2023 - I met with my team to discuss what medications to try next (there are still more options, so I am hopeful that we will find the right fit for me soon). I have now started a new medication and will rescan at the beginning of November again to see if this one makes an impact. I am going on 20 months since my recurrence happened, and I am looking forward to the time when I can say that I am NED (no evidence of disease).
August 25, 2023 - This will mark 5 years since my initial diagnosis. 50% of women who get diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not make it this far. They are my motivation to keep educating people about this cancer and to fight for more research for better outcomes for all my current and future teal sisters.
September 10, 2023 - My second Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in Calgary, Alberta. Last year I was one of the top 100 fundraisers in Canada, with Tiff's Teal Team raising over $5000. Let's do it again friends!
Participating in the Walk of Hope is extremely meaningful to me considering where I am right now in my cancer journey. I would love to do my part to support others with this diagnosis.
I hope you can join me in fundraising for this worthy cause. Please consider joining me in person for a walk in Calgary on Sunday, September 10th, virtually from wherever in the world you are, or even with a donation.
Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me this past year and a half during this difficult time. I am so incredibly blessed in my life and have an amazing community of people supporting me. I don't know what I would do without you all.
With all my love,
Tiffany
Today, thousands of Canadians are living with ovarian cancer and approximately 3,100 will be diagnosed this year. But today - we are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Let’s raise the teal flag and show our support for the women and families affected by ovarian cancer. Together, our fundraising and participation in the Walk will spur advocacy efforts to provide the best possible care, further scientific progress, and ensure that all those diagnosed know that they are not alone.
That’s why I’m joining the thousands of other participants at the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. Precious lives depend on it, and the community deserves it.
Every dollar I raise supports Ovarian Cancer Canada, the only national charity dedicated to overcoming this disease.
Every step and every dollar create a brighter future for those affected by ovarian cancer. Please consider donating to my Walk or register to join me!
Thank you for your support. It means the world to me, and everyone affected by this disease.
