Jan 10 2025 29 mins
Diana Ash had suffered from irritable bowel syndrome much of her life, but in 2019, she believed the IBS symptoms she felt were something altogether different. Her concerns were proven correct when an ultrasound indicated a mass near her abdomen the size of a “mini football.” Not long after that, she was diagnosed with Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer. Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure that successfully removed one ovary and one fallopian tube. After the surgery, she had to undergo BEP chemotherapy, an extremely aggressive regimen. However, she achieved survivorship and has written a book about her experience.
Diana Ash led an active lifestyle in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She enjoyed hiking, running and diving; but ever since she was a small child, Diana dealt with irritable bowel syndrome. In 2019, in addition to IBS’ typical symptoms, she experienced fatigue and loss of appetite. When she sought medical attention, she was told her problem was IBS and nothing more. To Diana, that was not a satisfactory response.
She insisted on blood work and an ultrasound. The latter revealed a mass near her abdomen. It measured 10 X 16 cm, or as she said, “the size of a mini football.” Diana pressed doctors for more information and accurate information, and she was eventually diagnosed with Stage 1C ovarian cancer. She was shocked with the diagnosis, but relieved that her cancer had been caught at an early stage, which is not typical for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure which removed one of her ovaries and one of her fallopian tubes. The surgery was a success, but her surgeon said the procedure was the easy part of her treatment. Next up was an extremely aggressive chemotherapy regimen. BEP chemotherapy includes cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide. Diana experienced the usual side effects, but was even more difficult was her being told that she would no longer be able to run or dive.
There was also the matter of childbearing. She received a Lupron injection, which meant she had to deal with its side effects while dealing with the side effects from her chemo regimen. She was eventually able to freeze some of her eggs, which will enable her to have kids.
Diana Ash achieved survivorship and wants to help others diagnosed with cancer. Fueled by a message emphasizing optimism and self-advocacy, she wrote “Take Back The Power,” available on Amazon. The book was written in English, but as a bilingual Canadian, she hopes to one day translate the book into French.
Additional Resources:
Diana’s Book: “Take Back The Power,” a guide for young women with cancer