In October of 2017 I answered a phone call that would forever change the way I view life. I had had a colonoscopy in an attempt to get some answers as to why I had had a second partial bowel obstruction (on my BIRTHDAY of all things.) The Dr.s suspected adhesions from the appendectomy I had in 2006. The Dr. was calling to give me my results. Ovarian Cancer was found in my caecum. Wait, what? I had a full hysterectomy in 2007, ten years prior. Talk about surreal. I was numb. My experience with this insidious disease included the passing of two cousins and my best friend from High School. Not good.
As you might imagine, this news started a myriad of phone calls and appointments, plus a call to refill my Valium prescription, because honestly, who can deal with a diagnosis like this without a little Valium?
I was blessed with top Doctors at both the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota. I went through 6 hours of surgery, that determined the cancer was isolated to the caecum, staging 3c. I had a leak at the site of surgery that kept me visiting the hospital regularly. Chemotherapy was no picnic, but I emerged with only some neuropathy in my feet and decreased energy. Not too bad overall.
My surgical leak healed magically, after the Interventional Radiologists had tried everything and had finally given up, and scheduled an appointment with a surgeon. How crazy is that?
After 16 consecutive weeks of chemotherapy, I was given a clean bill of health in June 2018 and have been doing well since then.
I now see the blessings in my life with complete clarity, most definitley a silver lining.
