Mildred Baietto

Chandler, AZ

Ovarian Cancer Survivor

It was May 2002 when, out of the blue, I started having excruciating pains in my abdomen. My doctor sent me to have scans, and the scans showed cancer on my right ovary. I belonged to an HMO, and, unfortunately, before they could get to me for another appointment, the ovary ruptured, and I was full of blood.

They rushed me in for surgery and did a total hysterectomy. The oncologist told me the cancer had been confined to the one ovary and that I was now cancer free. I went home and had no more problems for about a year and a half. Then, the pains in my abdomen were back. They took scans again, and, this time, found a mass on my small intestine. I had surgery to remove that and about six inches of my small intestine. When I came out of anesthesia, the doctor told me they weren’t able to get all of the cancer … there were “crumbs” of it in the colon. He suggested I undergo chemotherapy, which I did. To me, it was megadoses from March through June 2004.

I did well, and when I finished the chemo in June, my scans and blood counts were where they should have been for a clean bill of health. In November, on a follow-up appointment, a CT scan showed a small mass in the area where my left ovary had been. I had an ultrasound in December, and the mass hadn’t grown, so they decided not to do anything at that time. In January 2005, I had another CT scan, and, this time, my whole abdominal area was full of cancer. It had grown that fast.

My doctor wanted me to follow the same regime as before, with surgery and chemo, but I wasn’t so sure that was the right way to go. I started searching for doctors and other solutions. My brother-in-law saw an ad on television for CTCA and called them for me. Then I called and talked to someone. At first, I didn’t get all my questions answered, so I wasn’t so sure CTCA was the answer. But, the next afternoon, something prompted me -- I believe it was God -- to call back, and, this time, I spoke with someone who was able to answer all my questions satisfactorily.

I arrived at CTCA in April for my first appointment, and the first day, I had tests and scans. I was on my way to see the oncologist, when my knees just buckled. Dr. King, an internist at CTCA, examined me, asked me how long my tongue had been coated with fungus and told me that condition indicated a blocked bowel. The next morning, I had surgery for my cancer and the blocked bowel.

Within a few days after my surgery, I attended a chapel service. It was wonderful, and I felt like the sermon I was hearing was just for me from God. When the service was over, even though there were 20 or more people there, Chaplain Langham singled me out, came over and shook my hand and said, “You understand what I said, right?” It was like God was speaking right to me and assuring me that the message I’d heard was from Him for me.

Three weeks after surgery, I began five weeks of radiation. After that, I was sent home to rest for nine weeks and to give the radiation time to work.

When I returned to CTCA in August for follow up, tests showed no evidence of the cancer at this time. Now, I don’t have to return until mid-December. I’m thrilled, and I’m also grateful. I feel like God’s been at work in my cancer journey every day. He’s made me stronger than I was, and He’s let my fight with cancer help make my family stronger.

If you’ve got cancer, CTCA is the place to be. This place is so different from every other place I’ve been. Here, from housekeeping staff all the way to the top, everybody treats you like you’re somebody special and wants you to get well. That means a lot to sick people.

And, I can feel God’s presence everywhere at CTCA … I can’t explain it, I can just feel it. The chaplains have been wonderful and so helpful to me. Everyone involved in your case confers with each other here … they have a complete picture of who you are and what’s going on with you, and it really gives you the sense that you matter. And I know that’s of God … because we matter to Him. He’s helped me to see through all of this that He’s with me every step of the way.