10 Years After Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer, This Little Ferry, NJ Woman Is Thriving

It’s been 10 years since Mary Barbera, 56, was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer, but she still has a lot to say about it.

Today, she shares her story with the people she mentors through the Cancer Hope Network and Imerman Angels, two nonprofit organizations that support people with cancer and their caregivers.

In 2016, Mary was treated with surgery and chemotherapy at Hackensack Meridian Health. The entire process took about eight months. Now, she’s cancer-free and passing that hope on to people who are still fighting the disease.

“I must have survived for a reason,” she says, “and I’ve decided it’s so I could help others get through what I went through.”

A decade cancer-free is rare with ovarian cancer, which is usually found late. 

As Hackensack Meridian Health marks its 10th anniversary this year, we checked in with Mary about her journey from patient to mentor and how she went from surviving to thriving.

A Surprising Diagnosis

When Mary was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer, she was totally caught off guard. She’d been experiencing stomach pains she thought were related to irritable bowel syndrome, but it soon became clear that this was no ordinary flare. She knew something was wrong.;

“This isn’t normal,” Mary recalls thinking. “I need to be checked out.”

An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed a mass in her abdomen, and a sample was sent for testing. Mary was still in the hospital when the results came back: She had stage 3C ovarian cancer, which meant the tumor had spread from her ovaries to beyond her pelvis.

Support From a Specialist

Mary didn’t know very much about how cancer is staged, but she knew her situation was serious.

“My first thought when I heard the news was, ‘Oh great, now I’m going to die,’” she says.

One person was hopeful, though: Merieme Klobocista, M.D., a gynecologic oncology surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Health’s John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack.

“I was amazed by her,” says Mary.

The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but Dr. Klobocista’s thoroughness put her at ease. She used drawings to help Mary visualize where the cancer was located and better understand the surgery, giving her a clearer picture of what to expect next.

“It was scary, but I trusted her,” says Mary.

Undergoing a Long, Complex Surgery

Two weeks later, Mary underwent a long surgery, where her care team removed as much of the tumor as possible. The cancer had spread throughout her abdomen, so her ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and part of her colon had to be removed.

Removing all the visible cancer gives patients a better prognosis, Dr. Klobocista says, and in Mary’s case, they got all of it.

The surgery was a success, and Mary spent two weeks in the hospital recovering.

Mary’s Treatment Continues

In November 2016, Mary began chemotherapy to wipe out any cancerous cells that might remain.

Dr. Klobocista, along with gynecologic medical oncologist Donna McNamara, M.D., and nurse Aretha DiSalvo, supported her throughout the process.

The treatment was hard in new ways: She was often too nauseous to eat, dropped a lot of weight and lost her hair.

Genetic testing during her care also showed her tumor carried a BRCA gene mutation, which raises the risk of both ovarian and breast cancer. That finding qualified her for a then-new targeted medication, a PARP inhibitor, offered through a clinical trial at the center to help keep BRCA-related cancer from coming back.

During this time, Mary temporarily moved out of her condo and into her mother’s home, where her family surrounded her with support. Her brothers drove her to chemotherapy and follow-up appointments. She had to take a leave of absence from work for nearly nine months, which weighed on her.

“It’s kind of hard to have to depend on people when you’re used to doing everything yourself,” she says.

Mary finished chemotherapy in March 2017 and moved back into her condo. Her blood counts returned to normal within a few months, and she was able to drive again, which boosted her spirits. She returned to work, and her hair grew back within a year.

She was in remission, but there was still more she wanted to do.

Finding a New Purpose

In the decade since her diagnosis, Mary has become active in the cancer survivor community. Through Facebook, she learned about the Cancer Hope Network and Imerman Angels, two groups that offer support and mentorship for people with cancer; in 2020, she began volunteering with them.

Today, she mentors people from all over the country. “I never knew there was anything like [these support networks],” she says. The work gives her a sense of purpose, and the people she talks to are often grateful.

“When they hear that, 10 years later, I’m still here, and I haven’t had any recurrence or anything, after everything I went through, they’re amazed,” says Mary. “They always say, ‘Oh, I’m glad I talked to you. You just gave me so much hope.’”

Continued Care and Support

Mary still sees Drs. Klobocista and McNamara once a year, with imaging as needed. Because she carries a BRCA mutation, she also gets regular breast imaging to catch any new cancer early.

“I love my doctors,” says Barbera. “They’re a big part of why I’m still here.”

Dr. Klobocista points to two things that helped Mary beat the odds: All her visible cancer was removed, and a clinical trial at the center gave her access to a maintenance medication that has helped her remain cancer-free.

Mary’s attitude also helped. “She always had a positive outlook and did everything we asked her to do,” says Dr. Klobocista. “Her strength and determination throughout her treatment were truly inspiring.”

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our source(s): Merieme Klobocista, M.D.; Donna McNamara, M.D.
• Make an appointment online with a gynecologic oncologist near you or call 800-822-8905
• Learn more about cancer care at John Theurer Cancer Center