A Bit of Background

In Aug of 2022, I had a follow up appt with the gynecologist regarding a mass that I had on my ovary since 2016.  In June or July, it was noted, after a yearly ultra sound that the nature of the mass had changed.  It was determined in this visit that the mass should be removed because it had traits of cancer.  The surgery was scheduled for November 2022.  Unfortunately, I started having excruciating pain in my lower abdomen.  After a few more tests, it was determined that it had to come out immediately.  There went my November vacation with my sister 馃槥馃槥馃槥.  

November 7 was the surgery and November 14 was when I found out that I had ovarian cancer.  I then went to Vancouver for a second surgery in January 2023.  

Chemo was scheduled.

February 21 was the day I died.  I had my first chemo treatment and had an anaphylactic reaction and I went into cardiac arrest.  They performed CPR and I awoke in the intensive care unit.  Boy that was very scary.  My poor but brave daughter witnessed the whole thing.  

March 21 was the second attempt at leaving this world.  Different chemo drug, another anaphylactic reaction but this time they were ready.  Had epinephrine ready to go.  

April 3 was the third try.  Changed the chemo drug again and this time, no reaction 馃槄.  So treatments continued until August 29, 2023.  All tests seemed to indicate that treatment was successful.

In 2024, I started having some pains in my abdomen and booked a general dr appt.  Nothing really came of that. 

Every three months, I had to do follow up with the oncologist and prior to that appt I had to get blood work done.  In April, whilst in New Orleans, I received a call from BC Cancer advising that I needed to get a CT scan done asap.  Apparently my tumour markers had gone from in the teens to 64.

April 24, I found out that my cancer is back.  I have peritoneal carcinomatosis.  This is a terminal cancer.  Without treatment, patients have an average life expectancy of 4-6 months, with treatment, 1-2 years.  This is of course the average and every patient is different.

April 25, I spoke with the oncologist and was offered the opportunity to be part of a study.  I jumped at the chance.  Of course, they had to do some testing to see if I was eligible and I am.  This doesn't mean that all will go smoothly, there are several criteria along the way to continue in the study.  But馃

That brings us up to speed and I will do my best to try and keep everyone up-to-date with how things are going.

If anyone has a magic wand or has an in with the powers that be.........馃槉






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