Debbie Torres’ fight against ovarian cancer fueled by faith, family and friendship

Debbie Torres knew something wasn’t quite right when she felt the first sign of bloating. She just couldn’t shake the persistent discomfort. It was early March 2024 and life had recently thrown more than its fair share of curveballs. Her dog passed away, her father was living with dementia, and her husband, Chris, had lost his job. Stress seemed like the obvious culprit. Maybe it was menopause or digestion issue, or an ulcer, she thought, nothing serious.

She made an appointment with her OB/GYN, Nick Landry, MD, and also scheduled a visit with her gastroenterologist, Russell J. Wardlaw, MD, both affiliated with Lakeview Hospital. When labs and imaging results came back, they failed to provide a clear answer. However, a blood test, called CA125, typically used to trend treatment response in ovarian cancer, was abnormally high.

At the same time, fluid was building up inside her belly. Steven Pflug, MD, performed a paracentesis twice, which is a procedure to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity. Approximately 10 liters of fluid was removed from her abdomen and caking of the omentum was noted on CT scan. Her doctors found the real culprit behind the symptoms.

On April 5, after seeing gynecological oncologist, Jessica Shank, MD, at East Jefferson General Hospital, and undergoing additional testing, Debbie was diagnosed with Stage III high grade serous ovarian cancer. She barely had time to let the words settle.

“From the moment I met Debbie, I knew she was someone who would face this head-on,” said Dr. Shank. “Ovarian cancer, especially the type she had, can be very aggressive. We needed to move fast with a plan that included chemotherapy and surgery, and Debbie showed such strength through every step of the process.”

“I didn’t even have time to cry,” she said. “Everything happened so fast. Even my insurance couldn’t keep up.” Treatment began on April 25, 2024. The treatment plan was aggressive: three rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a full hysterectomy, omentectomy and tumor debulking surgery on July 1, 2025, and then 3 more rounds of chemotherapy at East Jefferson General Hospital Cancer Center, all done by Dr. Shank.

From the very first day, Debbie felt the staff made her healthcare journey so much easier to get through. “Checking in for labs was always a breeze, especially with the cheerfulness of Brandy and Brittany greeting me at Lakeview Hospital each time,” she said. “In the past I needed my friend, Monique, to hold my hand for blood drawn. Now, I’m a pro because of Lashonda’s friendly face. She was always patient and kind. The infusion center nurses made my chemo visits more manageable each time. They were always attentive and helpful.”

Her surgery required a large incision above the belly button so that Dr. Shank could physically examine and remove any tumors in the upper abdomen. “She wanted to be sure,” Debbie recalled. “It wasn’t something they could risk doing laparoscopically.”

Through every phase, she leaned on her tight-knit support system. Her husband, Chris, became her daily caregiver, making sure she was comfortable, managing appointments, and keeping friends and family updated through a private text group and Facebook posts. Her daughter, Angelle, only 23 years old, guided her mom through the emotional and physical toll of treatment. She had three Eucharistic ministers (Janice, Rosie and Ms. Suzie) that came to her house to serve her communion and pray with her when she was unable to attend church. Her husband also became a Eucharistic minister.

Friends rallied too. They gathered to pray the rosary, to sit with her when the weight of it all was too much, and to laugh and cry together. One of her neighbors started a meal chain to help her family with daily meals and sweet treats and gift cards. From her friends and her church community, she received many prayer cards, medals, blankets, snacks, and cancer bracelets, which she still wears every day. She also loved coloring books, which she used with her neighbor and friend, Sadie. In the hardest moments, Debbie clung to faith. She regularly attended Mass at Most Holy Trinity in Mandeville, visited the Father Seelos Center in New Orleans, and was anointed and prayed over by her local priest.

Debbie worked when she could between chemo sessions. For 17 years, she has been assisting the executive leadership team at Lakeview Hospital in St. Tammany Parish. Being at work gave her a sense of normalcy and familiarity. It helped that so many of the hospital’s staff, people she’s known for years, were now part of her care team. Debbie said she found it particularly thoughtful to receive a surprise visit by Chief Executive Officer Greg Nielsen at East Jefferson, right after her surgery.

“I was so happy that my team, Chief Executive Officer Ben Richaud, Chief Medical Officer Jacques Guillot, MD, and Chief Nursing Officer Jen Schmidt, at Lakeview Hospital thought of me, sending text messages with good luck wishes on the day of my surgery. I’m so thankful for my friends from work, Kim, Monique, Cheryl and Jeanne, who visited me often at home, which brought happiness to me each time,” said Debbie.

Debbie said each staff member was amazing and helpful. She noted Michael W. Dupre, MD, a general surgeon at Lakeview Hospital, inserted her port. The hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Jacques Guillot, MD, took time to explain her labs through the online portal when the stress of reading them on her own felt overwhelming. Unit Manager Mirtha Poulliard was always available to offer her advice and support. Debbie also expressed her gratitude to Outpatient Surgery Manager Hannah Fowler and Senior Director of Perioperative Services Katie Cook who continue to ensure she receives her port flushes and blood transfusions at Lakeview Hospital. She added a special thank you to Radiology Director Gina Deake for always helping her schedule appointments for ultrasounds, CT scans or mammograms. Michael Hall, MD, was available to explain her radiology results after numerous ultrasounds and CT scans.

As treatment progressed, so did the emotional and physical weight of the diagnosis. Debbie’s hair began to fall out after her first round of chemo. “It came out in clumps,” she said. “I had a friend come over and shave it off because I didn’t want to see myself like that.”

Debbie opted for turbans, then wigs, which she found oddly convenient. “Just throw it on and go,” she laughed. “Some days, it even felt kind of fun to wear a teal wig or baseball cap.”

Just before her 56^th birthday, Debbie rang the bell after her last chemotherapy treatment on September 13, 2024, surrounded by her family. She did it knowing the journey wasn’t entirely over. Today, she takes a maintenance medication—two pills twice a day— to help prevent her cancer from returning, a regimen she will continue for at least two years, possibly longer. She will continue to have mammograms and breast MRIs every six months because she has a genetic mutation that causes hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. “Since I have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, Ralph Corsetti, MD, my surgical oncologist at Lakeview Hospital, is now closely monitoring me to catch any potential issues early, given this genetic predisposition,” said Debbie. Regardless, her spirit has always stayed positive.

“After ringing the bell, I celebrated in New Orleans with 30 of my closest friends, wearing a teal wig and a teal dress, bar-hopping and singing karaoke. That night felt like a victory,” she said.

Debbie admits she still feels nervous at follow-up visits, but she’s here, and she’s grateful. “I’m not ready to move into the next phase of life. I’m still here on Earth enjoying time with my family and friends,” she said.

Her advice to other women: “Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Don’t wait to follow up, and don’t be afraid to lean on others for strength,” she said. “This cancer is silent, but you don’t have to go through it silently. As I remember this past year, I am very thankful for the love and support knowing that people really do care and love me. It’s all about faith over fear.”

To learn more about LCMC Health cancer care services, visit https://www.lcmchealth.org/our-services/cancer-care/.