Ovarian Cancer Survivor Shares Her Journey from Diagnosis to Recovery

Kate Ping, a 69-year-old woman running two family businesses, initially didn’t worry about the bloating she felt. Stress, along with her son’s impending heart surgery, was something she thought was causing her digestive and gut issues. However, when her symptoms remained unchanged two months after her son’s successful surgery, she consulted a doctor.

Ping expected a colonoscopy appointment but was taken aback when a nurse practitioner ordered a CT scan instead. The scan revealed Stage 4 ovarian cancer, and the disease had spread throughout her body. Patients in this stage have about a 30% chance of surviving for five more years, according to the American Cancer Society. Ping described her shock as overwhelming, likening herself and her husband to deer caught in headlights.

“I couldn’t even pronounce any of this stuff, and I was panicky,” Ping shared.

A Subtle and Insidious Disease

Upon processing her diagnosis, Ping sought care options, eventually securing treatment with Dr. Premal Thaker, an oncologist at Washington University School of Medicine. According to Thaker, ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed in its latter stages due to its subtle symptoms and lack of a definitive test. The disease is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S., Johns Hopkins reports.

Symptoms to be aware of include abdominal bloating, feeling full quickly when eating, and changes in bowel habits or urination. Fluid buildup in the abdomen can cause bloating and weight gain despite reduced food intake, Thaker stated.

A Challenging Road to Recovery

Due to the advanced stage of the cancer, Thaker recommended chemotherapy followed by surgery to shrink Ping’s tumors. The treatment had its difficulties; Ping lost her hair, experienced nausea, and fatigue, with each cycle leaving her incapacitated for a week. Despite this, her numbers improved consistently, boosted by Thaker’s encouragement.

“I had chemo every three weeks, and each time I went, I received positive news,” Ping said.

A touching moment for Ping came months into her treatment when she realized the voice on the phone scheduling her husband’s appointment was the nurse practitioner’s who ordered her CT scan. She learned the practitioner had personal experience with ovarian cancer, which influenced her decision to order the scan.

“I truly think you saved my life,” Ping expressed to the practitioner upon learning her reasoning.

Facing Change and Advocating Awareness

In February 2025, Ping underwent surgery, including a hysterectomy, to ensure the complete eradication of cancer. Post-surgery, she continued chemotherapy and later underwent several immunotherapy infusions. Ping’s last infusion this spring marked a milestone; she continues taking chemotherapy pills to reduce recurrence risks, though she tries not to dwell on such possibilities.

Ping is once again active in her local community, focusing on raising awareness about ovarian cancer. Her efforts have garnered substantial support. Having returned to work at her restaurants, she shares her experience, offering hope to others.

“There is hope,” Ping assures those she interacts with, pointing to her own recovery as a testament to the possibilities despite the harrowing journey.