So this is my blog. NEVER did I think I would do this. Now, I want to so I can help others who are in the same place as me. Helping others (animal or human) is what makes my heart feel best. It's what I feel I was put on this earth to do.


Originally I had planned on doing this on Facebook, but now realize there may be some who don't want it shoved in their face. I respect that. Cancer is scary. 


Here is my story, as originally posted on Facebook:

On Sunday, April 22, I started having abdominal cramping. I didn't think much of it, thought maybe I had eaten something bad. That night, the cramps had gotten so bad I couldn't sleep. I felt exactly the way I felt about 20 years ago, when I contracted a case of Giardia (a stomach parasite). I figured it would just resolve itself.

About 3 weeks later, I felt so sick and nauseated, I went to urgent care. The doctor was not convinced I had Giardia, because I could not identify a source. I had not been drinking out of a stream or lake, no camping or swimming. He ran a simple blood test that identified a slightly raised white count and a slightly raised Eosinophil count (an indicator of an allergy or parasite). I was given an antibiotic, and sent on my way. 

The antibiotic seemed to make me feel better, and I was pain free for 2 days. The pain returned shortly after my last dose of antibiotic, so I assumed I should have been put on a longer course...that we didn't kill all the bugs. 

I ended up at the doctor 10 days after my first visit. This was a different doctor, and she also was not convinced of the Giardia diagnosis. She wanted to run fecal tests to check for parasites, but thought the symptoms I was experiencing were indicative of a gallbladder attack. She ordered an ultrasound. Upon returning home and talking to my mom, I find out that every female on her side of the family, except her, has had to have theirs removed. The next day, I was too sick and exhausted to go to work.

The ultrasound of my gall bladder showed a slight amount of sludge and dialated bile ducts. I was referred to a surgeon to discuss whether it was to come out. I felt relief that we had found the problem.

Upon meeting with the surgeon on May 23, she asked me questions about my symptoms...where the pain was, when it happens, etc. My pain runs across the top of my abdomen, just under my diaphragm, and down the right side. She shows me the ultrasound pictures, shows me all the attributes that tell her my gall bladder is healthy. The fact that I have pain going down the right side is causing her concern. She orders a CT scan of my abdomen, and would like to do a HIDA scan (a "functionality" test of the gall bladder) next. 

After this appointment, I was very frustrated. I felt like I was the new "cash cow" for the health care system. I was still waiting on results for the fecal tests, and now I am being told I need a CT scan. I thought of postponing the CT scan until I got the results of the fecal tests. l was not convinced that Giardia was not my problem. I scheduled the CT scan with the intention of cancelling once I got my positive fecal sample result. It has to be bugs.

No results from the fecal samples on May 24, so I hesitantly submitted to the CT scan. I have called the clinic so many times, I don't even have to tell them my name. Finally, on the 25th, I receive the call that the fecal samples were all negative. No bugs, no Giardia. 

After a crying and sobbing breakdown on the phone with a clinic nurse (poor woman), panicking because I was going to have to tolerate this pain through the Memorial Day weekend, I was given pain meds. They seemed to make eating easier and allowed me to sleep through the night. 

I didn't receive results from my CT scan until the following Weds. morning. My gall bladder had been ruled out. I have inflammation in my colon. The surgeon wants a closer look, and wants me to have a colonoscopy. Initially they scheduled me for a week out,which would have been today. With some pushing, I was able to get it done last Friday. 

During the colonoscopy, a large cancerous tumor was found. I also have enlarged lymph nodes adjacent to the tumor site. I will be having surgery to remove the cancerous portion of my colon, and the enlarged lymph nodes. Once this is done, they will be able to "stage" the cancer and determine the need for chemo. I am having the surgery done by a colo-rectal specialist at the U of M, who I have yet to meet with. My appointment with her is this Friday, and I assume I will have a surgery date after this appointment.

I am not a big fan of pity, but I do welcome prayers. If you would like to join me in this fight, please take a seat ringside. Cheer me on, and tell me to get my ass back up when I get knocked down. I have never fought an opponent this big, but am praying for a swift victory.

And, please, listen to your body, and be your own advocate. I felt like an ass calling and calling for test results, and everytime an appointment was made for me I did what I could to get it moved up. Had I of not done this, the cancer would have still been eating away at my body, unfound until today.

So, for now, that's all I have. I will update when I have news. 

I am going to win this fight.

...and the update:

UPDATE (6/7/2012):

Met with the specialist today. It went well, and we are confident and comfortable with her. My gall bladder is coming out, too. The specialist will not be able to do surgery next week, so it will most likely be the following week. A different surgeon will be taking the gall bladder out, so we need to work around their schedule as well. 

The mass is a little bigger than my fist, and she thinks is has been there for over a year. The gall bladder acting up was what led to it's discovery. I am very lucky.

I will be in the hospital for 5-14 days, depending on when my system starts working again. The recovery is about a month if things go as planned. 

I wont have a surgery date until at least Monday. I will post it when I get it.

...which brings us to today.


I think my head is in a good place. I am very grateful for the doctors finding this monster in my body, and very confident they will give me the best care possible. I have been doing a lot of "perspective checking", and finding so many things that I have fretted about that really aren't important anymore. I am finding good in small things...a pretty blue sky, a tasty smoothie, the joy the dogs give me with their entertaining ways. So many people have reached out to help...family, friends, and coworkers. It makes my heart warm.


With the peace, has come a "readying". Knowing I am heading into battle, I am gathering all the inner power I have. I am praying a lot for strength and courage. God is answering these prayers, as I don't feel fear right now. I feel a sense of acceptance and peace...the calm before the storm. 


I have posted this picture on my Facebook page a couple of times. Never before have I believed in it so strongly:

That's it for now.