Patient shares ovarian cancer journey at Ascension Saint Thomas

Laura has always moved at a fast pace. Known for her high energy, she spent her days managing her career, caring for her 85-year-old mother, looking after her grandchildren, and walking two miles every day.

So when she began experiencing unusual pain in her legs in early 2026, she tried to do what she always does: keep going. But by late March, everything changed overnight.

One Sunday morning, severe leg pain made it impossible for Laura to put any weight on her left foot. A trip to urgent care led to an emergency sonogram, revealing a large deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her leg. Laura was immediately sent to the emergency room, where further imaging revealed pulmonary embolisms (PEs) in her lungs.

Medical testing revealed the underlying cause of the "sticky blood" and blood clots: Laura had advanced-stage gynecologic cancer that had spread to her omentum, tissue in her abdomen.

"I went from being what I thought was completely healthy to really sick overnight," Laura recalled.

As someone dedicated to a holistic, healthy lifestyle—one focused on clean eating, exercise, and avoiding unnecessary medications—Laura initially hesitated at the thought of traditional chemotherapy. But after consulting with her functional care team, it became clear that aggressive conventional treatment was her best option.

Laura turned to Dr. Mali Schneiter, a gynecologic oncologist at Ascension Saint Thomas and Tennessee Oncology. From their very first meeting in Lebanon, Dr. Schneiter offered both expertise and reassurance, outlining a treatment path that included a port placement, six rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery.

"Dr. Schneiter said, 'We can get you through this, and you will be cancer-free in October,'" Laura said. "That stuck with me as hope."

Facing the decision to move forward, Laura turned to her faith. Encouraged by her caring infusion nurse, Carolyn, who was herself a five-year cancer survivor, Laura said a prayer and trusted the process.

To help ease the anxiety of treatment, Laura’s husband, Thom, came up with a unique idea. Knowing her love for the coast, he branded her treatment days as "Chemo Beach." Laura brought a beach bag, wore sunglasses and floppy hats, and sat near the window, transforming an intimidating experience into an opportunity for warmth and positivity.

Throughout her treatment, Laura found that the teams at Ascension Saint Thomas and Tennessee Oncology didn’t just treat her illness—they cared for her as a whole person.

When a scheduled surgery threatened to overlap with her longstanding annual family beach trip in August, Dr. Schneiter adjusted the treatment schedule so Laura could spend valuable time with her children and grandchildren.

When it came time for her procedure—a complex hysterectomy and removal of the affected omentum—Laura underwent surgery on August 25, 2026, at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown. Her surgical team ensured she felt comfortable every step of the way, and her post-operative care was tailored around her personal recovery goals. When Laura wanted to maintain her strict low-sugar diet to aid healing, the hospital's head of nutrition personally visited her room to build a menu of real, nourishing foods.

"There was just a system in place that helped me feel safe and secure," Laura said. "From the nurses to the nutrition staff, everyone supported me."

Following a smooth recovery from surgery—where Laura achieved her goal of walking laps in the hospital hallway ahead of schedule. Pathology confirmed that the chemotherapy had done its job, significantly clearing the cancer cells.

With just two rounds of chemotherapy remaining, Laura is preparing for upcoming milestones, including traveling to California for her son’s wedding.

"As hard as this has been, the process has been easier than I expected," Laura said. "I feel like every day is a gift. I've had a wonderful team around me, and I try to stay as positive as possible—it's all in God's hands."

If you or a loved one are facing a gynecologic cancer diagnosis, you don't have to navigate it alone. Learn more about our compassionate, comprehensive care teams at the Women's Comprehensive Cancer Center.