I found out yesterday that my cancer is not contained and the pathology lab found cancer cells that were starting to implant. That was our biggest fear since my appendix had ruptured and had possibly spewed cancerous cell matter throughout my abdominal cavity.
This cements the fact that I will now be undergoing a very intense surgery and Heated Chemotherapy. There are very few doctors that perform this surgery and I want to make sure that I will choose the best one for my care. That has been the focus of my prayers since I found out the news. (for those that watch Greys Anatomy...the non graphic part was shown in the first five minutes of the show this week. I was hoping to get a better glimpse of what I will be going through but they barely showed anything.) I will be hospitalized for around a month and will be far away from home. I am nervous about all of it, but so grateful that this chemo is available, since it has exponentially increased the rates of survival from appendiceal cancer.
18 comments:
I'm sorry to hear that the results were not what you wanted. I am very happy to hear that they have such a treatment option for you. I'll keep you in our prayers - good luck.
I found your blog when I was looking at the info on Grey's anatomy showing the surgery. My husband has had this procedure 2 times. He was diagnosed with a stage 4 mucinous adenocarcinoma from his appendix in Sept 2004. He was give a terrible prognisis with a survival of only 10-12 weeks. Needless to say he has done really well due to the talents of his surgical team. They use the heated chemo plus they used 2 surgeons to minimize OR time and reduce hospital time. He was hospitalized 11 days the 1st time and 14 days the second time. Both times he has left eating regular food-no need for any other supplemental nutrition. He worked really hard before surgery building himself up like an athlete. This was a tremendous help in his recovery. Nutrition is paramount. Our prayers are with you and your family-RC
Thank you for the comments Andrea and RC. I am curious RC where your husband received his surgery and what doctors have been instrumental in his care. I am grateful that things have gone well for him and am so grateful that HIPEC is an option. I also have mucinous adenocarcinoma from the appendix. I have not been staged but it sounds like our experiences are much the same. I am glad to hear a good success story. If you are comfortable communicating with a stranger, please drop an email. I would love to hear more. It is such a rare cancer that I would feel grateful to speak to someone who has been through it. If you ever read this, please consider futre coorespondence. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your husband's story gives me hope!
I'm glad you finally got some answers! There's nothing worse than waiting and not knowing either way. Good luck getting your game plan all figured out, we'll be praying that everyone falls into place and quickly...
rather, everything:)
We continue to pray for you all. You are a tough woman, Shanda, and I believe that Heavenly Father has prepared you to fight this battle and to win. Thanks for keeping us all posted on what's going on. You have our prayers!
Hi Shanda-
I am happy to correspond through email.
I would prefer to keep them private(both for my husband and your privacy)
I don't know how to go about doing this-could you direct me? I will not spam or in other ways divulge info. I am an RN-which helped us so much 5 years ago when we were slapped with the same reality you are facing. I am happy to help with any info-thanks
rc
Shanda,
I'm sorry to hear the test results, but so glad that there are good treatment options. Hopefully there will be someone that can do it with a faster recovery/shorter hospitalization time for you and your family. Thanks for keeping us posted - love you!
I don't mean to get involved, but RC- Shanda's email is shandalee@gmail.com. She listed it in another post, or I wouldn't have posted it. I hope you can help her understand her diagnosis and treatment options a little more. Love you and continuing to pray for you, Shanda!
Sorry to hear your results. I will continue to pray for you. I hope you find the best doctors and nurses to care for you. Please call if you need anything. Annette
Shanda-we're so sorry that the results weren't more positive, but we're still hopeful! I wish I was there to help out in some way, but please know how much we love you and are praying for you.
RC,
I don't know you either, but just knowing you are out there makes the rest of us feel a little bit better. Shanda has someone to RELATE to, and a success story to boot! Congrats to you and your husband. It is really great of you to take the time to communicate with her. If I could give you a great big hug, I would!
Shanda, still thinking about you! Walked by your house today with the girls. Miss ya!
Wow Shanda I just found out about all of this tonight on facebook. You are an AMAZING girl who can fight this. Your positive attitude is and will be a blessing for you and your cute family. We LOVE you guys and are praying for you.
So I saw your update on facebook and I have felt so sad ever since. Janae gave me the link to your blog I hope you don't mind. I have read all your posts and I have to tell you what an amazing person you are. You posses all that we aspire to be. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November. She too found hers after further testing was requested for her re-occuring bladder infections. The cancer obviously had nothing to do with that but it is what led them to the cancer. They were able to remove it all and she is now CANCER FREE. I know without a doubt it was by the hand of God that she was healed and although your path has been more treacherous, and will be for a while, have faith in knowing that He is mindful of your needs and desires. I know you will prevail. The Lord will carry you through and there will be many of us, even some you don't know, who will be praying for you and cheering you on. Keep writing as much or as little as you can. You will inspire many with your story as you already have me. I hope you don't mind if I check back often:>
Hi Shanda, this is Mindy, Larry's cousin. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am to hear about this ordeal you are going through and how impressed I am with your resilience and fortitude to get through this. Please continue the updates. I know you hear this all the time, but you truly will be in our prayers! Much love, Ben, Mindy, Em.
Oh Shanda I"m so sorry. I still just find this so hard to believe. I'm sorry the results are not good, but you are so strong and so brave. If there is anyone that can fight this thing I am sure that you can! I'm so grateful you have family around and hope that you have a strong support system in your ward and neighborhood. We will keep praying for you from Japan! Be strong! (but that doesn't mean you can't cry once in a while as well...)
I know I commented on your fb, but wanted to tell you again you are in our prayers. Thank you so much for spending the time and energy to update your blog. I know it can't be easy, but there are so many of us who love and care about you and your family, and appreciate it! Shanda, you are an amazing person. Someone I've always idolized. Thank you for your example of faith, and we'll continue to pray for you!
I have been out of the blogging world and don't do facebook, so I just barely found all this out. Nick is trying to get in touch with Larry to talk and find everything out. I am just in complete shock. You are a rock just overcoming what you did now this. I Love ya and hope you know that we are here and praying & thinking about you. I need to get your # from Larry so we can keep better in touch. You are a fighter and always have been in everything you do. I have a great feeling everything is going to be okay. We are so lucky for Good Doctors:) I will be in touch with you. Love ya! Tell Aana Hads will lbe sending her a prize in the mail soon. :)
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