How Second Opinions, Resilience, and Support Shaped Her Ongoing Recovery

Yolanda, a 67-year-old native of Peru who has spent more than three decades in Switzerland, vividly embodies perseverance. Her first encounter with ovarian cancer took place in 2013, when a routine checkup revealed a suspicious lump. Initially dismissed by two different gynecologists, she trusted her intuition and consulted a third specialist. This led to a swift referral to Professor Dr. Viola Heinzelmann, a prominent ovarian cancer expert, who confirmed Stage III ovarian cancer. Within a week, Yolanda underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy. Showing immense resolve, she stayed cancer-free for nine years, during which time she was even poised to join a “cancer survivor” study to help advance medical knowledge.

However, during a recent checkup, her gynecologist detected another lump in the vaginal area. Tests showed the cancer had returned, this time with metastases affecting her bowel and kidney. The resurgence was doubly devastating, coming shortly after her mother’s passing in Peru—a tragedy made more poignant by pandemic restrictions. The second bout of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, proved especially grueling. Radiation severely damaged her intestinal lining, leading to prolonged diarrhea and a drastic weight loss of 10 kilograms. Physically and emotionally exhausted, Yolanda sought rehabilitation in the Engadin at Clinica Curativa, where she gradually regained her strength.

Today, she slowly eases back into life, grateful for the unwavering encouragement from family, friends, and her dedicated medical team. A self-described “full-blooded Latina,” she has embraced the lesson that leaning on loved ones is as vital as personal tenacity. Yolanda views each day as a gift, urging others to seek second or even third opinions, just as she did—a decision that saved her life twice. She now commits to savoring every moment, acutely aware that true happiness rests on resilience, gratitude, and the ability to share her experiences to benefit others.