Simone’s Story

 My name is Simone Cuarino.

I co-founded F.A.I.T.H. Cancer Care to help cancer victims everywhere based on my own cancer journey. I know first hand how it feels to receive and deal with the diagnosis, treatments, side & after effects. Nobody should go through this alone or lack the support they need. Only someone that’s been there can truly sympathize and empathize. The services that we offer are designed to bring hope, make things more bearable and help cancer patients to reclaim their life! We are here to assist in any way possible at any stage of their journey.

I started my battle with cancer in 1991 at age 25 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I noticed a lump (hard to the touch) in my left breast when taking a shower one morning and I instantly knew that it was bad news. I went to my OBGYN who, after some tests, confirmed my suspicion: I had breast cancer, an aggressive, evasive type of breast cancer that needed to be removed ASAP. Because of my young age, initially, the doctor did not believe that it was breast cancer, but rather another type of cancer that had moved (metastasized) into my breast which would have been worse. After several x-rays of my lungs and liver, it was confirmed that it was breast cancer. 

I was referred to a surgeon and about a week or so later, I had my surgery. They performed a radical mastectomy and removed 38 lymph nodes (under my arm pit) during the surgery – fortunately, none of them were positive for cancer which lead the doctors to believe that the cancer had not travelled out of the local area. 

Because of my young age, a “tumor board meeting” was called which consisted of several doctors and specialists in Tacoma, Washington, who discussed a treatment plan for me. 

 The surgery was followed up with four chemotherapy sessions and 6 weeks of radiation. Even though I only had four chemotherapy treatments, the doctors said that they were treating the cancer aggressively and I received the maximum dose of one of the drugs (Adriamycin) that a person can get for a life time due to its possibility of having a toxic effect on the heart. My chemo treatments were 4-6 weeks apart and fortunately, they were effective. I received a clean bill of health after having completed my radiation treatments. 

 Note:   I did experience side effects from the chemo & radiation – hair loss, severe nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, etc.

 From there on, I had annual chest x-rays and went to an oncologist to have lab work done for many years – until 2014 to be exact. In 2014 my oncologist said that since I had been in remission for over 20 years, that I could stop seeing him. 

 In 2007, I had my right breast removed (mastectomy) per recommendation of my OBGYN and due to having undergone several needle biopsies, ultrasounds and other tests throughout the years. This was supposed to give me peace of mind that I had done all I could to rule out breast cancer occurring in my right breast. All of my breast tissue was removed, and the area was “scraped out” to ensure that no cells were left behind. I was told that this would give me a 99% guarantee that no breast cancer would develop in that area. 

 In December 2012, I had one ovary removed due to endometriosis having attached itself to the ovary and its surrounding area. As I continued to have cramping and pains throughout the years afterwards, in January 2016, I had a complete hysterectomy to remove some cysts, endometriosis and fibroids along with my other ovary and uterus. During that surgery, the doctor found a nodule that had attached itself to my rectum which was removed and tested as non-cancerous. 

 It took a long time to recover after my hysterectomy and I don’t believe I felt well the following year as I continued to have aches and pains in my abdomen, especially on my right side. When talking to friends and co-workers, I was told that it is normal to feel pains as there is a lot of scar tissue and my OBGYN seemed to agree that it was not unusual to have aches and pains after this type of surgery, for months afterwards.

 In April 2017, I had my annual pap smear and had to have it redone because my OBGYN did not get enough cells the first time around. The second pap smear came back as normal. 

 In May 2017, I was walking in my bathroom, when suddenly, I felt something drop down in my underwear. It was a large blood clot, for the lack of a better description, the size of a quarter or larger. I immediately knew that this was not a good sign … I called my roommate and told her about it. She said for me to go to the emergency room, but I decided to call my OBGYN. 

 The nurse scheduled an appointment with my doctor and told me that if I had any more bleedings in the meantime to go to the ER. I did not have any more clots passing. I went to my doctor’s appointment and after an exam was told that it may be that there was some scar tissue that was not healed well which caused the bleeding. I asked the doctor why I continued to feel a heavy pulling on my right side in the abdomen which made him order an ultrasound of my abdomen. 

 I also decided to see my PCP and he scheduled me for a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, they saw that there was nothing in my colon but rather something was pressing against my colon. This prompted a CT scan which showed masses attached to my colon. The CT scan also showed several nodules in my liver and two spots on my lung. 

 My OBGYN predicted that it was either endometriosis which returned, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer or breast cancer which had returned and moved into my abdomen. Thankfully, after surgery, it was determined that I did not have a recurrence of breast cancer, but rather ovarian cancer, stage 3. During surgery 15 inches of my colon had to be removed and I woke up with an ostomy bag.  

 My surgery was June 5, 2017 and my first chemo treatment was scheduled for the first week in July. Fortunately, I was accepted into a Sarah Canon Cancer Research Study for a new drug that is administered along with the chemo drugs used for treatment of ovarian cancer. 

 My treatment plan, as I understood it, was to received chemo every week for the next six months. I received my last chemo treatment the end of November and my scans taken afterwards showed no more cancer growth. The chemo drugs/treatments had done their job and destroyed the cancer. Thank God!

 I was in a maintenance phase where I received bi-weekly immunotherapy infusions which were supposed to work with my own immune system to seek out/fight & destroy any new or remaining cancer cells in my body. 

 In March 2019 I was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer (stage IV) and started chemo shortly thereafter. I continued to take Avastin (immunotherapy) along with two other chemo drugs.

I also started taking Newlasta Onpro which gave me much bone pain and other discomforts. 

 My Pastor and I met with my oncologist in April 2019 and when asked the question how much time I have, he said, “about five years” and that if I have a bucket list, I should start doing those things. 

 In 2020, I finished my Avastin regimen (you can only get 15 doses of this drug for a lifetime) and started taking Lynparza (a parp inhibitor). As of July 2020, the Lynparza has been successful in keeping the cancer in remission (cancer marker BRACA test was 12). Side effect of Lynparza is anemia, fatigue, nausea. . I had to get blood transfusions every 4 weeks to get my HCB level up. The normal range is 12-15. Mine had been as low as 6.3. 

 Note:   I did experience numerous side effects from the chemo and other meds to include, blood clot, hair loss, severe nausea, constipation, fatigue, chemo brain, neuropathy, depression, emotional ups & downs, etc. 

 I’m continuing on my journey and living my life with an added purpose: to provide support services for fellow cancer patients and to establish a respite place in the Middle Tennessee area for women (in treatment or after cancer treatments) to come and enjoy an atmosphere where they can recover, heal, relax and rejuvenate and take a break from the daily grind and treatment related stressors.. 

We hope to accomplish this through various complementary services, workshops, relaxation and leisure time in a beautiful country setting, healthy meals (prepared on site) and fellowship with women with like experiences in a home that was designed and built out of love and concern with their wellness in mind.   

 The name of the edifice shall be, “Sunshine Respite Home”. 

To learn more about the Sunshine Respite Home and it’s 5 year plan please click the link below.