I was halfway through packing for Arizona when I realized the best thing about the trip: Betty wasn’t coming with us.
To understand why I was so happy to leave her behind, let’s start from the beginning. My name is Annette, and I live a busy life. My husband, Chris, and I have two daughters and eight grandchildren, including triplets. I retired after working in human resources for 30 years, but I wasn’t ready to fully stop. I went back to work as a receptionist at the Spa Exeter. I’ve always been active. I love cycling, travelling, cooking and going out for dinner.
So, when I started feeling tired and sore in my abdomen and lower back, it slowly began to affect everything I enjoyed. I’d come home from work and be too exhausted to move. I was losing weight and felt extremely bloated. I went to get it checked out, but I’ve had Crohn’s disease for 20 years, so my doctors assumed that was the cause.
In April 2024, the pain became unbearable. I went to Exeter Hospital and was transferred to Stratford the next day. I woke up from emergency surgery to learn I had a massive tumour on my ovary pressing against my bowel. After some time, I realized Betty was there.
Betty was the name I gave to my ileostomy, a surgical opening in the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body through a bag outside.
Nine days later, they told me the biopsy results were back. It was stage four ovarian cancer. My mind never stopped racing. I was shocked, scared and lived in a state of denial for a long time. I couldn't sleep. Instead of planning my next trip, I found myself planning my own funeral.
Soon after, I met Dr. Akira Sugimoto at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). From the beginning, he was honest, direct and kind. He compared cancer to a dandelion, explaining how disturbing it can cause it to spread. He gave me options and made it clear that while he would guide me, the decisions were mine to make.
I decided to start chemotherapy. I told myself people do chemo every day. I could do this. The chemo suites in London were beautiful and so comfortable. I had my own bed and the nurses were amazing. I even became close to the volunteers who handed out snacks; they became my light during a dark time.
For a couple of days after treatment, I felt almost energized. Then the crash came. Weeks of having no control over your body or mind and a strong aversion to food. Just as I started to feel okay again, it was time to go back. After six horrible rounds, we learned the chemo hadn’t worked.
Next came a full hysterectomy and debulking to remove as much visible cancer as possible. When Dr. Sugimoto came to see me afterward, he said they got everything. I didn’t believe him at first. The next day, I made him say it again.
Recovery was another mountain. Betty caused serious kidney issues, leading to several hospital stays for IV fluids. In July 2025, Dr. Sugimoto squeezed me in for my ileostomy reversal. When I regained consciousness, Betty was gone. And again, there was no visible cancer.
I will always be grateful to Dr. Sugimoto and the entire team at LHSC. In a place that sees hundreds of patients daily, they made me feel like I was the only one there.
By September, I felt strong again and wanted to give back. With A1 Chiropractic Health & Wellness Exeter, we organized Spin for a Cause for ovarian cancer research. Family, friends, my daughters and even my granddaughters showed up. Together, we raised $1,095 over just two Saturday mornings.
Today, I feel incredible. I feel strong. I take time to appreciate the little things. And every day, I tell Chris:
“I love my life.”