OUR STORY
TRIGGER WARNING
The following story recounts the personal and factual journey of Joan Rotondi's battle with ovarian cancer, including medical challenges, diagnostic delays, and the profound emotional impact of confronting a life-threatening illness. This narrative may evoke strong emotions for those who have faced similar experiences or been touched by cancer. Please be aware that this is a condensed version of a complex 2.5-year period filled with numerous obstacles and significant frustrating hurdles. Reader discretion is advised.
Joanie’s Story: A Journey of Courage and Determination
Early Symptoms and Delays in Diagnosis
In July 2021, Joan began experiencing abdominal pains and persistent discomfort in her pelvic region. She repeatedly visited her family doctor, expressing her concerns, but was dismissed and prescribed anti-anxiety medication instead. Being ignored of her concerns, Joan started to believe her symptoms might be gut-related, Joan sought remedies on her own. As the months passed, her symptoms worsened, leading to severe bloating by Christmas.
Despite visits to her doctor, Joan’s concerns were continually ignored including her request for a pelvic exam due to her own fear of ovarian cancer. It wasn’t until she went to the emergency room after the 2022 New Year that a CT scan revealed she had stage 4 ovarian cancer. She was immediately referred to palliative care.
Seeking Better Care: A Fight for Treatment
Devastated by the diagnosis, Joan and her family sought alternatives to palliative care. Despite initial resistance from local physicians, they contacted Princess Margaret Hospital directly and secured an appointment within several days. Joan’s local doctors had been of no help in facilitating this critical referral.
Finding Hope at Princess Margaret Hospital
At Princess Margaret, Joan received comprehensive care, including an ovarian biomarker blood test (CA 125) and new CT scans. PMH immediately began with a treatment plan for chemotherapy, followed by a successful HIPEC surgery, and continued with additional treatments. By June 2022, Joan was clear of visible cancer and was monitored with regular CT scans and continued CA 125 tests.
Clear of visible cancer!
The Battle Continues: Facing Recurrence
At the end of January 2023, Joan’s cancer markers rose again as ovarian cancer has an extremely high rate of recurrence when left too late, leading to another chemotherapy plan. Despite partial success, Joan became chemo-resistant and needed a new treatment strategy. Discussions about transferring to a regional clinic led to disappointing experiences, with inadequate support for clinical trials and a lack of decisive treatment plans.
A Regional Clinic Experience: Hopes and Disappointments
Joan’s time at the regional clinic was marked by unmet promises and insufficient care. Despite repeated inquiries, no suitable clinical trials were identified due to lack of resources to research any available trials, and necessary treatments were delayed or dismissed.
Seeking New Horizons: Treatment Abroad
In January 2024, facing a lack of solid treatment plans from her current oncologist, Joan and her family made the difficult decision to seek outside help. They traveled to Mexico, where over the course of 1 month Joan received chemotherapy and cutting edge dendritic cell therapy, which led to significant improvement. However, upon returning home, local oncologists were reluctant to continue with the combined suggested treatments, resulting in further setbacks.
Joan and Dr. Alfonso.
Roger, Patient Care Assistant.
Joan and Dr. Alfonso.
The Final Battle: A Heartbreaking Turn
In March 2024, Joan struggled with breathing difficulties. Emergency visits revealed pneumonia and partial lung collapses due to previous drainage procedures. Frustrated with local care, the family sought a second opinion from Memorial Sloan Kettering. Despite their comprehensive plan, local complications delayed implementation. Joan passed away peacefully, awaiting to regain strength to begin her new treatment plan.
Cherishing Life Amidst the Struggle
Despite the relentless battle with cancer, Joan was able to live a fruitful life with her family and friends. She traveled to some of her favorite destinations, enjoying the beauty and serenity of Lake Huron. Summers were spent boating, relishing the joy of marina life, attending concert events and creating cherished memories that highlighted her resilience and love for life. Joan also found joy in watching professional tennis, avidly following the worldwide tours. The sport’s blend of physical endurance and mental fortitude resonated deeply with her own journey. Like the players she admired, Joan faced her personal battles with a similar spirit of determination, drawing strength from their resilience as she navigated her own mental and physical hardships.
Why Our Mission Matters
Joan’s story underscores the critical need for our mission. Even though passing away peacefully, it was sad, tragic and unnecessarily early. Early detection, second opinions, and access to advanced treatments can make a profound difference in outcomes. The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation strives to ensure that no one faces the barriers Joan encountered. By raising awareness, providing financial assistance, and leveraging innovative technologies, we honor Joan’s legacy and fight for a future where ovarian cancer is detected early and treated effectively.