A guest complimented Louise Artes Ijidori at the opening of her husband’s new spot in Florida, saying, “Florida is doing you well.” Recently, she had moved there from New York with her family, feeling great, yet unaware of the hidden danger lurking inside her.
“People were telling me how wonderful I looked,” Artes Ijidori said, reflecting on her situation. “But I was actually battling cancer.” Despite showing no symptoms, ovarian cancer had managed to infiltrate her body.
Ultimately, she would undergo surgery that involved the removal of seven organs, all because she pushed for tests that a doctor had deemed unnecessary.
Clear Test, Close Call
It hadn’t occurred to Artes Ijidori to monitor her ovarian health until her fertility specialist suggested a vaginal sonogram every six months. She didn’t think much of it; another doctor had dismissed the idea. Still, she opted to get the test annually, a decision that may have been crucial for her survival.
During a routine visit last October, a large cyst was found in her ovaries, and she felt nothing unusual. Concerned, her doctor ordered an OVA1 blood test to determine if it was cancerous, which returned negative. Yet, after a follow-up test, the cyst persisted, and she decided to have her ovaries removed since she wasn’t planning on having more children.
“When he went in, he found cancer in my colon, liver, and even my chest. I felt completely fine,” she recalled.
The surgeon’s demeanor shifted dramatically as he examined her ultrasound. He cautioned her, “The test results are negative, but things don’t look right.” He suggested immediate removal of the ovaries.
Sign Her Life—or Save It
On December 20, she underwent surgery, which she thought would be routine. But the biopsy revealed stage 4B ovarian cancer, meaning the disease had already spread to other organs.
Shock enveloped Artes Ijidori as she processed this information; only 31% of people diagnosed at this stage survive for five years.
She and her husband, Joe, quickly scrambled to seek expert care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where a leading specialist handled her case.
“I had initially thought, ‘This should weigh at least five pounds,’” she joked, but was disappointed to learn it was hardly anything.
Despite feeling unlucky, she expressed gratitude for the circumstances that aligned to get her the right care. On January 15, she went back under the knife.
Signing her surgical consent papers felt monumental for Artes Ijidori. “I felt like I was signing my life away,” she shared, but the doctor reassured her she was actually giving permission to save her life. That moment clicked something in her mind, transforming her perspective.
Life Goes On – Seven Organs Lighten
After the operation, she had a long scar stretching across her torso and couldn’t help but feel the weight of the lost seven organs.
“I thought it would weigh five pounds; instead, it was about 10 ounces,” she laughed, dispelling the gravity of her circumstances for a moment.
Though the surgeons managed to save parts of her liver and colon, she ended up needing a colostomy bag. She spent 18 days in the hospital, relying on self-affirmations to find strength.
The chemotherapy that followed was daunting, yet, surprisingly manageable. Initially expecting the worst, Artes Ijidori found that her experience was less horrifying than she had anticipated.
As time passed, she adjusted to life with a colostomy bag and gradually rediscovered her sense of self. Starting out in sweatpants, she eventually felt confident enough to don her favorite dresses and heels.
A New Chapter Begins
She recently had surgery to remove the colostomy bag, and tests showed that her CA125 levels had returned to normal. “I’m technically in remission,” she stated.
Celebrating this milestone with a “remission cake,” she felt surrounded by family, including her eight-year-old son, Roman, and her 94-year-old mother.
“My hair is starting to grow, and I feel better overall,” she noted, though she still carries a vigilant attitude, saying, “I don’t want to let my guard down.” The fear of recurrence lingered, especially given the statistics for stage 4 ovarian cancer.
“It’s naive to consider that I’ve defeated it in seven months, but today, it’s okay,” she reflected.
She aims to change perceptions around stage 4 cancer, expressing a desire for people to know they can still lead fulfilling lives amid struggles. “There’s a lot of hope,” she insisted, “It’s not a dead end.”
Whispering Killer
Currently, Artes Ijidori is on a mission to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, advocating for early screening among women.
“Maybe I took one for the team,” she mused, hoping her experience will help others avoid a similar fate. She emphasizes that while she had no apparent symptoms, there are often subtle signs women might overlook. That’s why ovarian cancer is dubbed the “Whisper Killer.”
Common symptoms to be aware of include bloating, fatigue, changes in bowel habits, and abdominal pain.
Jennifer McGrath, who works with an awareness nonprofit, highlighted the importance of persistence. “If something lasts longer than a few weeks, see your doctor,” she advised.
McGrath also stresses that women, especially those with a family history of ovarian cancer, should request a CA 125 blood test. While typically reserved for those already diagnosed, it helps establish personal baselines critical for future assessments.
Annual transvaginal ultrasounds are also recommended, even for postmenopausal women.
“In recent years, more young women are being diagnosed,” McGrath added, noting that ovarian cancer isn’t routinely screened by doctors. “You have to be proactive.”
In the U.S., women have a lifetime risk of about 1 in 91 of developing ovarian cancer. Estimates suggest that around 20,890 women will be diagnosed in 2025, with 12,730 fatalities expected.
