Ovarian Cancer: Lauren's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Lauren Wells was 25 when several days of hearing music and seagulls, feeling sticky skin, and becoming unable to speak normally led coworkers to seek urgent help. She was first admitted to a psychiatric unit, but repeated seizures prompted intensive care and a search for another cause. Her father advocated for evaluation of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare autoimmune neurological condition. After transfer to Cleveland Clinic, doctors found an ovarian teratoma that was driving the antibody response. Within 48 hours, the tumor was surgically removed. Pathology showed that it was malignant, and Lauren then began several rounds of chemotherapy. The encephalitis required aggressive treatment with anti-seizure medication, plasmapheresis, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and another immune-directed medicine. Lauren was heavily sedated, needed a ventilator for more than a week, and temporarily required a tracheostomy. The combined treatment produced rapid improvement. She was later described as cancer-free and making an exceptional recovery. After nearly a month in the hospital and about a week in inpatient rehabilitation, Lauren returned home with her parents. She continued physical, occupational, and speech therapy while rebuilding endurance, speech, and cognitive skills, with the goal of returning to work in 2021.