Heidi’s Story

I'm Heidi, and I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in 2022.

Despite my diagnosis, I'm all about having a positive mindset—so I try to do something I love every day. For me, that means going thrift shopping, making my own jewelry, and staying active. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family: my husband, Philip; my son, Jacob; and our 2 dogs.

Along with my family, my community has stood by my side since my diagnosis. Everyone at my favorite restaurant wore "Team Heidi" shirts to support me, and on my birthday, my friends held a car parade in front of my house.

Looking back, I had support right from the start.

In August of 2022, I went to the emergency room for abdominal pain, and my friend just happened to be working as the ER doctor. He was the one to tell me that the CT scan found tumors on my ovaries. The very next day, I met my gynecologic oncologist. He did a biopsy, and I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. Thank God my husband was with me because it was a lot to process.

After my diagnosis, I received several chemotherapy treatments. Every step of the way, my doctor listened and allowed me to advocate for myself. The chemotherapy worked at first and I went into remission, but eventually my cancer came back.*

After my cancer recurred, my doctor explained that because I tested positive for a biomarker called folate receptor alpha, or FRα, I was eligible for treatment with ELAHERE. My doctor and I decided I should give it a try.^†

My doctor let me know that there were a couple of things I needed to do before starting treatment, including have an eye exam and start eye drops. Then I received ELAHERE as an IV infusion once every 3 weeks. I did have side effects, including eye problems.

To manage side effects related to ELAHERE, your doctor could change your dose or delay or stop treatment. In my case, my doctor postponed a couple of my treatments, which helped. I also visit my eye doctor regularly during treatment cycles.

ELAHERE is helping me, so I feel called to share my story. To know that I have a treatment that is working for me is just amazing.

I have so many reasons to be here, and I celebrate that every day.

*Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is when cancer comes back or progresses after a certain type of chemotherapy called platinum-based chemotherapy stops working.

^†FRα is a protein found on the surface of some types of cancer cells, including those in ovarian cancer. Your doctor may refer to it as a biomarker. Ask your doctor about FRα testing to see if you may be eligible for targeted treatment with ELAHERE.
CT=computed tomography; ER=emergency room; IV=intravenous.