A Middle Tennessee teacher who was the first ovarian cancer patient in the state to receive an innovative treatment is now in remission and sharing her recovery story.
Melissa Barr has been teaching elementary students in Cheatham County for more than 17 years.
Barr, a "yogi" and healthy eater, starting having stomach pain during the pandemic but held off seeing a doctor as virus cases raged. In December 2020, the pain was too much to bear and she headed in for help. The diagnosis was devastating: stage 3 ovarian cancer.
"I was shocked and almost angry that I had done everything 'right' and still received this diagnosis," Barr said.
After months of traditional chemotherapy, Barr started to receive an innovative cancer treatment: Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.
This "hot chemotherapy" involves heating a standard dose of chemotherapy and applying it directly to the abdomen to increase penetration of cancerous tissues. It's usually used to manage cancers of the abdomen.
But in February, Barr became the first person in the state to receive the treatment for ovarian cancer. And her doctors at Ascension St. Thomas, Dr. Jason Barnett and Dr. Michael Stany, made history.
Now in remission, Barr is back in the classroom teaching first graders. She's also become a support system for other cancer patients.
"Yes, cancer is hard. The hardest part, though, is knowing that your family has to witness your sickness first-hand. My sweet husband stood by my side and told me every day how beautiful I was even with my hair loss. Yes, I was the 'sick one,' but my whole family was on his journey with me," Barr has told other patients.
Barr says her battle with cancer has changed the way she approaches life.
"Whether it's cancer or addiction or something else, everyone has a story," Barr said. "Reach out to others and let them know that you're thinking of them. Just say 'I'm here if you need me.' Stop being afraid to reach out."
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in American women.
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