How Ruth Overcame Ovarian Cancer with Expert Bloodless Surgical Care

Karaoke lover Ruth Francois-Vega has a lot of singing left to do. 

For Ruth Francois-Vega, wide-ranging hobbies help make her who she is. The married homemaker and dedicated volunteer loves singing karaoke, playing board games with friends, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with her three-year-old niece. 

In March 2024, persistent stomach pain and swelling intruded on Ruth’s busy life. 

“Having struggled with endometriosis and undergone several past surgeries, I knew I would likely need surgery again,” Ruth says. “Over the years, I had become familiar with the symptoms and knew something wasn’t quite right.” 

‘Ideal Fit’ 

Because she was almost certain she would need an operation, Ruth knew exactly where she wanted to go. 

“I chose Englewood Hospital for my surgical procedure because it aligned perfectly with my values and medical needs,” she says. “Because I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Englewood Health’s renowned bloodless program was a key factor in my decision. Its commitment to providing advanced medical care while respecting patients’ wishes regarding bloodless procedures made it an ideal fit for me.” 

On the advice of friends, Ruth met with Nimesh Nagarsheth, MD, medical director of gynecologic oncology and robotic surgery at Englewood Hospital. 

Imaging revealed a large cystic mass on Ruth’s ovaries, but biopsies couldn’t confirm whether it was cancerous. The only choice, Dr. Nagarsheth determined, was to perform an exploratory laparotomy, a surgery in the abdomen to reach the mass and learn more about it. 

Operating for Answers 

Leading up to the surgery, Ruth developed a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in a lung artery that is usually caused by a blood clot. 

“Once we treated the pulmonary embolism, we set Ruth up for surgery,” Dr. Nagarsheth says. “I enlisted the help of two colorectal surgeons because it seemed like the colon, which is located near the ovaries, might be affected by the mass.” 

Ruth had mixed emotions as the surgery neared, and the mass in her abdomen was taking an increasingly heavy toll, making even walking and bending difficult. 

“Although I was nervous about having surgery, I also felt a sense of relief knowing it was all coming to an end,” she says. “The anticipation of recovery gave me comfort, as I knew the challenging part would soon be behind me.” 

On June 18, 2024, Dr. Nagarsheth and colorectal surgeons Anna Serur, MD, and Peter Kaye, MD, performed a complex operation. After opening the abdomen, the surgeons found the mass. As suspected, it was attached to portions of the intestine. 

“We had the colorectal surgeons help us detach the mass safely without injuring the intestine,” Dr. Nagarsheth says. “The mass had ruptured. We removed all the cancer cells, the mass, the ovaries, uterus, and adjacent organs. We also took some of the fatty tissue around the intestine to help determine the progression of the disease.” 

The diagnosis: a rare type of malignant tumor called a carcinosarcoma. Ruth had stage 1 ovarian cancer. 

Recovery, Treatment, and Moving Forward 

Two weeks after the surgery, Ruth returned to Englewood Health to begin chemotherapy with the goal of eliminating any remaining cancer cells. The treatment left her feeling fatigued and nauseated and weakened her immune system, but she persevered. Ruth continues treatment at Englewood Health. 

Her quality of life has greatly improved, and Ruth is grateful for the care she received. 

“From the nurses to the surgical team, everyone was professional, compassionate, and dedicated to my well-being,” she says. “It was clear they genuinely cared about my recovery, and that made my experience much smoother than I’d anticipated.” 

Published June 2025