“The best thing you’ve ever done for me is to help me take my life less seriously…it’s only life afterall” – Indigo Girls (click link below for full song…love it)

Friends and Family, 

While I had hoped that my next blog update would be in 2020 as we embark on our next scheduled adventure to the South America (continent 6, one to go!) I am instead firing up the blog for a reason far less Fun.  In short, I was told on Wednesday that I have Ovarian Cancer.

Now that the heavy words are out of the way — let me ask you to join me in Not Freaking Out.  It is easy to go to a dark and stormy place straight away (as Caroline learned first hand Wednesday night…love you girl), however, we just don’t know very much about my particular case yet.  Instead, let’s dwell in possibility.  I am generally a silver lining girl.  As I see one I’ll let you know, please do the same.  For those interested in the chronology I have outlined everything below (this means you Aunt Barb) along with media clips to keep it interesting.

Thursday, February 15:  Around 11pm I experienced a pain I have never felt before in my abdomen region.  I was literally doubled over what felt like consistent sharp stabs and could not find a way to relieve it.  So, Patrick and I head to our first of two emergency rooms (long story for another day).  After 7 exams / tests we learned that source was a twisted right ovary triggered by a large 6 cm cyst that had made its home on top of said ovary.  They also identified a second cyst on my left ovary that was not as big and had not caused any twisting.  Thankfully, late in our second ER visit the ovary naturally untwisted which immediately relieved the pain.  We were discharged with instructions to follow-up with my normal Gynecologist for a treatment plan — all agreed that removal of the ovary and cyst was the ideal next step.

Our only source of comic relief during this period was the launch of the  “How Many Doctors Have Seen my Lady Parts” game.  I am up to 5 so far with this adventure.  

Monday, February 19:  My Gynecologist recommends surgery, as expected, and refers me to a surgeon in her office.  We schedule an appointment with that surgeon while we researched  (with the help of a dear friend) other surgeons with sound reputations in this field.  We were blessed to be led through that process to Dr. Steven McCarus, the Chief of Gynecological Surgery for Florida Hospital Celebration Health.   Thanks to the miracle of technology, you can meet him as well via the link below (you will need to pause the Indigo Girls to hear him)

Link to Meet Dr. McCarus

Tuesday, February 20:  Consult with Dr. McCarus (loved him immediately) and schedule surgery for Friday, March 9 pending the results of a CA 125 blood test.  The CA 125 test screens for cancer indicators in the blood.  According to Dr. McCarus if this test came back positive he would refer me to Oncology and if it came back negative we would stick with the March 9 plan.

In my light research I have learned that this test and I will become Best Buds — it is one of several ways to see if treatments are effective.  

Fun fact about the CA 125 test for context….a “normal” result is in the 30 range but can go as high as in the thousands.  My test came back at a 105.

Given that the range of protein was relatively low, Dr. McCarus agreed to proceed with our treatment plan.  I go back to work and wait for my surgery day to arrive.

Friday, March 9:  Surgery Day.  Our procedure scope was to remove the right ovary and cyst and was estimated to take ~ 1 hour to complete.  Due to the minimally invasive procedure (laparoscopic) I would be home that evening.  I am thrilled to report that all went as planned with one exception — Dr. McCarus made a game time decision to remove the second cyst from the left ovary.  My total procedure time was ~ 2 hours vs. 1, however, despite the extra time I was home that evening and did not have any complications afterward.

All samples were sent to a Pathologist for assessment and I was told I would know the results by Wednesday, March 14.

Wednesday, March 14:  I start my day be immediately calling for the lab results.  By 9:00 am nothing was in and I was told by a nurse to wait until my post surgery check in on March 22 for an update (thinly veiled request to not badger her).  If there was bad news in my pathology tests I would get a call from the doctor, otherwise, nothing needs to be done until the next appointment.   I send Patrick an invite to the March 22 meeting and assume no news is good news.

Then at 12:15 I answer the phone and it is Dr. McCarus.  I was immediately devastated to hear his voice (poor guy — no one looks forward to his phone calls).  At any rate, he shared then as much as I know now:

• Both ovaries were positive for cancer
• Each ovary has a different type (there are only 3 known types and I have 2…Go Big or Go Home)
• I will be referred to Oncology for next steps that will likely include removal of the second ovary and several lymph nodes
• My next appointment is on March 21 with Dr. McCarus to see how I am progressing, review the full results of the tests and to discuss next steps
• Our current plan is to invite Dr. James Kendrick to my party.  For those playing along you’ll recall he was the surgeon that performed my hysterectomy in 2014.

Link to Dr. Kendrick

And now you are up to speed.  I am still home recovering from the March 9 surgery with a clear view of only the next week:   my appointment on March 21 and getting back to work on March 26.

Thanks for listening and caring.  I’ll post again after our next appointment.

XOXO, Dawn

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” – Colin Powell