Kelly Irvin

A second ovarian cancer recurrence in three years prompted this review of lessons learned. If I could go back three and a half years and give advice to my newly diagnosed self, what would I say?

Did we bring this scary, painful, financially draining monster into our lives by eating too many cookies and not doing enough jumping jacks? We need a reliable diagnostic screening tool for ovarian cancer and we need it now.

Rather than revisiting the ghosts of cancer treatments past, I’m focused on using what I’ve learned in three years of active treatment and maintenance for incurable, metastatic cancer.

Researchers disagree on whether or not to monitor ovarian cancer survivors with frequent CA-125 tests. But this patient would rather have more information than less.

The health care experts call it financial toxicity. I call it an agonizing, stress-inducing, horrifying choice between financial ruin and treatment of a life-threatening disease.

Believe me, if I thought a baking soda solution would cure my cancer, I’d be first in line. It’s cheap and it won’t make my hair fall out, make me vomit or send my white blood count spiraling down.

So, what was the first thing I thought about when I vowed to not think about cancer? Cancer, of course.

Some patients refer to this as their cancerversary. With two years in the rear-view mirror, I’m calling it my Everything-From-Here-On-Out-Is-Gravy Day.

Let's recognize time as the gift it is, and chart a course for making 2018 really count.

Should I be planning big, celebratory trips or my funeral? My fears may not be rational, but they're real.

No matter how cancer makes you look, you’re still you—a better you.

People with cancer have to gear up for the emotional and mental workout of dealing with insurance. Here are some tips for coping.

For patients with metastatic cancer, NED times are often overshadowed by their lurking disease waiting to pounce and return. Here are some thoughts on living life passionately, both during treatment and while NED

Ovarian cancer is a hard taskmaster, but cancer teaches us important life, faith and family lessons

Cancer treatment may seem to involve a mysterious, unfathomable foreign language, but there are ways to improve those lines of communication.

Losing their hair is one more way that cancer makes patients feel they've lost control over their bodies. It's not just physical, it's personal. Here are some tips for what to say.

I see myself as a cancer ninja. Other cancer patients might prefer a gentler word. Either way, words are important and the choice should be ours.

Scoring the big NED often leads to that "Terminator" voice whispering in your ear.

While a blanket, water and snacks are important for the chemo bag, don't forget to bring the good stuff like guts. No guts, no glory.