Wendy's Story

Late October/early November I started having some abdominal pain. It wasn’t constant. It switched sides. Some days it was terrible. Some days there was no pain.  On the evening of November 12th it finally got to be too much and I went to the ER. After a CT and multiple ultrasounds it was determined there was a mass on/around my uterus and I was told to see my OBGYN.  

The appointment with the OBGYN consisted of the routine PAP and an MRI was ordered which showed the mass was around my uterus and overlapping an ovary.  Along with the MRI they ordered a CA125 cancer marker test. This is when it got real.  The highest they want the CA125 is 35. Mine was 1,185.  A friend called in a favor and got me in the NEXT day with the best OBGYN surgical oncologist there is.  Surgery on December 8th went from a standard hysterectomy to a radical hysterectomy and removal of my spleen, appendix, part of my bladder, part of my colon, part of one kidney, the peritoneal wall, and part of my diaphragm. It was everywhere.   

After all was said and done I had a rare Fallopian tube cancer and Stage 3 ovarian cancer.  Treatment was ordered in the form of chemo for 6 months. 

Something crucially important to note about my OBGYN visit. My PAP was CLEAR!  Ovarian cancer is rarely found in a routine PAP so you can be doing everything you’re supposed to and still have it and until you have a problem - you don’t know. There is no screening done for ovarian cancer yet it’s one of the cancers that by the time you have symptoms it has already spread.    

Obviously I’m very new to this journey and I don’t have all of the answers but here’s what I will say. Ask for a screening. Ask your doctor about your risks.  Be proactive about your health.  So many of us get so caught up in day to day life that we neglect ourselves.  Take it from me - DON’T!!   I have children I want to see get married.  I have grand babies to hold. I have so much more living to do.

I won’t lie and say my head is right all the time.  My hair has fallen out and I have battled several physical setbacks and some mentally as well.  Cancer is a monster and everyone is afraid of monsters.   

I have the most amazing support system who have kept me afloat and basically run my life the past few months.  I would be lost without them.  This event is another example of them seeing a need and doing something about it.  They are absolute life savers and the best people I know.  

So……ladies - don’t ignore things.  Men - encourage your woman to take care of herself.  The alternatives suck.   If you read this far I thank you and I appreciate any prayers and good vibes.  

Most importantly - take care of each other. You get one life - treasure it, take care of it and live it to the fullest every day!  Thank you all for the love and support and prayers – be well friends!