Mary Blake Huer always makes time for her routine checkups — a practice that may have saved her life. Her journey with cancer began unexpectedly in 2017, in the midst of a distinguished career as a communications professional, a Ph.D. scholar and the former president of a United Nations non-governmental organization that worked to improve the lives of people with communication disabilities.
“I just went for my routine mammogram and colonoscopy like you're supposed to,” Huer said. “A couple of days later I got a call from my primary and found that I had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer and a nodule in my lung.” Her case was unusual because each cancer was different. She also felt fine. “I had no symptoms, never suspected anything. That's how it started.”
Huer was coping with the recent loss of her parents and her sister, and the diagnosis came as an unwelcome additional challenge to face. She persevered and began surgeries followed by chemotherapy at a Los Angeles cancer center. Huer liked and respected her medical oncologist, Joshua G. Cohen, M.D., a renowned specialist in gynecologic oncology who cared for Huer throughout five years of treatment.
When Cohen spoke with her to say he had joined City of Hope and was moving his practice to City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center — the most advanced comprehensive cancer center in Orange County — Huer was pleased for the news and looked forward to continue seeing him there, all the more so since the cancer center is located in Irvine, near her home in San Clemente.
Through the advanced care she received at City of Hope, Huer successfully achieved a long-lasting remission.
However, in 2023, Huer sensed something was wrong and went to the emergency room at her community hospital. She ended up being admitted to a community hospital with sepsis — an extreme reaction to an infection. She was treated with IV antibiotics, and the doctors were recommending surgery to address an unrelated condition discovered through a CT scan.
When Huer and the doctors relayed the information to Dr. Cohen, he rushed to the hospital. Huer was taking crucial cancer medications, Cohen said, potentially impacting the contemplated surgery. Following close consultation, the decision was agreed to not move forward with surgery at that time, and the next day Huer was discharged.
Huer went immediately to City of Hope, where she was given additional antibiotics and further treatment which resolved the infection. “It was clear to me that my City of Hope team had advanced expertise regarding my infection and treatment,” Huer said.
Huer wrote a letter to City of Hope’s leaders, praising Cohen’s commitment to caring for her and protecting her health. “Everything's normal now, and I’m exceeding expectations,” she said.
Throughout her journey, Huer has been through many highs and lows, yet she remains positive and hopeful. On her blog, Gratitude Squared, Huer writes about her experiences, inspirations, and insights she hopes will inspire others.
“People say, what's your secret?” she said. “I love the hymns my father sang when I was a child. I play them on YouTube and sing along when I need to have some healing and some help,” she said, adding that one of her favorites is “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”
Huer is deeply grateful for the support of her family and the compassionate care she’s received at City of Hope Orange County. Her spirituality further grounds her and brings her deep comfort. “You know, beyond the good medicine, I believe there's a spiritual side guiding me that I can't fully explain, but it's clearly there.”
Huer’s advice to other cancer patients embodies her scholarly and mindful approach: “Breathe and slow down. Get information and ask questions. Learn and study. Advanced cancer research, like that conducted at City of Hope, is leading to breakthrough treatments that offer great hope for patients with cancer. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, have faith for the journey. Know you are not alone, and know there is hope.”
Also read:
Talking Hope: Holistic approach to cancer care uplifts grateful two-time breast cancer survivor
Dear me: Survivor of ovarian cancer offers heartfelt advice to her earlier self
Talking Hope: The younger face of cancer survivorship: Meet grateful patient Juliette Landgrave and Amanda Schwer, M.D.
First in research. First in treatment. First in survival. When it comes to cancer, it’s Hope First. There is a City of Hope Orange County location near you. Call (888) 333-HOPE (4673).