It wasn't a virus or food poisoning. I had ovarian cancer

By Eve Spiegel, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG


Oncology Breast Nurse Navigator, AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute

I was so excited to be celebrating my 50^th birthday in Mexico with my boyfriend Rob, and my daughter and her boyfriend in Mexico. Soon after returning to New Jersey, I had abdominal pain, a fever, trouble eating, belly bloating, and overall, felt really awful. The severe pain came in waves.

As an oncology breast nurse navigator at AtlantiCare’s Cancer Care Institute, I encourage patients, their families, and others to seek medical care if something doesn’t feel right.

I practiced what I preach. I went to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) City Campus Emergency Department (ED). I thought maybe I had a severe case of food poisoning or that I’d picked up a viral illness on vacation. It was early March, 2020, so I figured it could also be COVID.

A CT scan showed a blood clot in my spleen, swelling in my intestines, and a benign-looking ovarian cyst. The ED team admitted me to the hospital. Nothing in my symptoms, health history or diagnostic tests showed why I had the clot, swelling, or cyst. Loreta Garretson, M.D., hematology oncologist, AtlantiCare, and one of my colleagues, was among the team members who evaluated me. Before I left the hospital, she told me the clot was a warning sign.

“We need to watch you closely,” she said.

About two months later, I developed post-menopausal bleeding. Dr Garretson ordered additional tests and told me to follow up with my AtlantiCare OB/GYN. The first transvaginal ultrasound Dr. Garretson ordered showed my cyst had grown marginally, but was still too small to consider removing. A second transvaginal ultrasound just six weeks later showed the cyst had grown, appeared to be taking on its own blood supply and was “suspicious for neoplasm.” I knew this meant possible cancer.

Dr. Garretson told me, “This is what I was concerned about.”

Robin Wilson-Smith, D.O., gynecologic oncologist, at AtlantiCare, recommended removing my ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix to reduce my risk of ovarian, uterine, endometrial, cervical and other cancers. She suggested I get genetic testing, which I did at AtlantiCare. It was negative for any genetic reason for cancer, but it helped my team and me to choose the type of care I needed.

Dr. Wilson-Smith performed my minimally invasive robotic gynecologic surgery at ARMC Atlantic City Campus. My biopsy samples showed I had stage IIB ovarian cancer and that I’d have developed uterine cancer shortly as well.

I chose to have my chemotherapy treatments at the AtlantiCare’s Cancer Care Institute’s Cape May Court House location, which was closest to my home.

I joined AtlantiCare as an infusion nurse in 2016 in the Cancer Care Institute’s Cape May Court House and Egg Harbor Township locations. I started my navigator role in 2018. I’m privileged to collaborate with my AtlantiCare teammates in caring for patients and their families. I wish I’d started my career with this incredibly experienced, compassionate team. The standards we have, and the care we provide are better than anything I’ve seen in my 31-year nursing career. I can attest to this professionally, and now, personally as a patient.

Ovarian cancer is a silent killer. Its symptoms are often subtle, so diagnosis usually comes at later stages.

I am alive today because I listened to my body and Dr. Garretson closely watched me, following her gut feeling. I’ve continued to celebrate my patients’ survival stories and to experience and share so many of my own. I visited my son when he bought his first home in North Carolina. I attended my daughter’s wedding and welcomed a grandson. Rob proposed to me on New Year’s Day 2022. We married last March, after I celebrated two years being cancer free.

Join me in preventing deaths from ovarian cancer. Listen to your body. Have regular visits with your primary care, OB/GYN, and other specialists. Have appropriate screenings and vaccines based on your age and risk factors. Encourage others to do the same. Share my life-saving story.