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Abbreviations & Acronyms
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dx |
diagnose, diagnosis
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FSH |
follicle-stimulating hormone
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IBS |
irritable bowel syndrome
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IVP |
intravenous pyelogram — study to look at the kidneys and ureters
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NED |
no evidence of disease
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s/s |
signs & symptoms
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SLS |
second-look surgery
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TAH / BSO |
total abdominal hysterectomy / bilateral salpingectomy and oophorectomy — removal of, respectively: uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
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tx |
treat, treatment
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US |
ultrasound
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WAR |
whole abdominal radiation
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Elizabeth MacLeod
Submitted on 11/01/2011
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I was 42 years old and the mother of a young daughter aged 12. My life seemed to be evolving into a stable, sane, and very happy life after an awful divorce and a number of years of re-establishing myself in both career and home. Then on June 27, 2001 it all came tumbling down. I hadn't been feeling well, and I mean actually sick with abdominal pain and constipation for three days. The pain was becoming unbearable and in the night I thought of going to the Emergency but my daughter was sleeping so I convinced myself that it would pass. The next day, while at work I realized that something was terribly wrong. Without a word to anyone, I left work and went to the hospital....within six hours I was on the operating table. I had peritonitis and the surgeons were sure it was a burst appendix. Upon doing a scope they realized it was something much more serious and they stopped the surgery....then packed me off to the closest hospital with a gynecological/oncological surgeon.
I know today, that decision plays a big part in my being here. I was diagnosed with Stage IIIc, Grade 3, clear cell epithelial ovarian cancer. The larger tumors (over 2.5 cm) had metastasized to my colon, my uterus, and my omentum. After a complete debaulking and six rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin I finally went into remission....if you can actually do that with this type of cancer. Three years to almost the day I had my first recurrence (2004). After waiting approx 15 months to do treatment b/c I wasn't symptomatic I had another surgery which removed a tumor from my ascending colon, one from my lower bowel and one from the psoas muscle in my right hip. Again six rounds of taxol/carbo and another four years 'cancer free'....I was rediagnosed with a tumor again on my Psoas muscle in my right hip in Nov 2010....am presently waiting for surgery.
During this time I have been involved in raising funds for OVCA through establishing a run, a motorcycle drive. I have been involved with refurbishing a lounge for gyn/oncological patients, providing CD and players in Chemo suites and starting a support group for survivors. My life has never been the same, but it has also never been so fulfilling.
With my third diagnoses and almost 10 years behind me I began a blog of my journey at whencancerknocks.blogspot.com.
That is the physical/medical story...for the emotional, psychological and spiritual one feel free to follow me on my blog......it’s been a hellava journey but one I wouldn't have wanted to miss.
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