Ovarian Cancer: Marivic's Survivor Story
This ovarian cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Sex
- female
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
What happened, in summary
Marivic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and uterine cancer in March 2013. Her mother, Elsa So, was working nights as a nursing assistant at MD Anderson and became Marivic's primary caregiver during treatment.
Elsa's familiarity with the hospital gave her confidence in her daughter's care, but supporting Marivic while continuing to work was demanding. At times, Marivic was admitted in the same building where Elsa worked, allowing Elsa to visit during breaks and lunch. Even so, Elsa often could not sleep during the day because she wanted to understand how her daughter was doing and what the care team was planning.
The experience changed Elsa's perspective on cancer care. She was used to helping patients professionally, but caring for her daughter showed her what treatment felt like from a family's side. Colleagues also supported Elsa with advice and someone to talk to.
Marivic was eventually declared free of cancer. Elsa later joined her daughter in ovarian cancer fundraising events and reflected on the importance of staying supportive and hopeful while recognizing how exhausting treatment can be for both patients and caregivers.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by MD Anderson. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer