Cancer: It’s Never An Easy Journey 🍑 *Updated

It’s been unfortunate that I’ve had one health issue after another. With the recent cancer diagnosis, I did share with friends and family on social media that I was diagnosed but withheld what type of cancer it was and allowed those who wanted to know to ask me directly. With my recent cancer diagnosis, I informed friends and family on social media that I had been diagnosed but did not disclose the type of cancer and allowed them to ask me directly. In addition, I had no idea what to say when people asked me what type of cancer I had since I was so embarrassed to disclose my diagnosis to family and friends. By sharing these experiences on my blog instead of directly on my social media, it gives you the option to read more about my personal experiences on my blog rather than being bombarded by them on your newsfeed. I do, howbeit, have family who does not have social media and have asked through the grapevine to share updates through other means, so I thought, what better way than through my blog?

Because of the move and our upcoming trip to England, I have utilized this method to prevent myself from sitting alone in my thoughts and processing everything that has happened. To say that the last two months have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Beginning with the news of my cancer diagnosis, scheduling the surgery, recovering, and receiving the biopsy results has been extremely stressful and emotionally difficult.

In September last year, my husband found me collapsed on the bathroom floor. I could not move the left side of my body and was falling in and out of unconsciousness. I was transported to the hospital and underwent CT scans and blood work, all showing negative for a stroke, so they sent me home. I continued to have these same episodes two to three times a day if not more. I had one episode in the bathtub, which resulted in my six-year-old daughter having to call 911, and that’s when we realized the severity of what we were dealing with. Unable to determine the cause of the episodes, the doctors at the hospital referred me to a neurologist. Upon reviewing my medical and family history, the neurologist concluded that the episodes were associated with severe stress. He diagnosed me with a functional neurological disorder. A functional neurological disorder encompasses many disorders that affect people of all ages.

Several factors may contribute to this condition, including childhood trauma, life stress, anxiety predisposition, sexual abuse, depression, and dysfunctional family environments. The predisposing factor for me is trauma, and ongoing PTSD symptoms can precipitate and perpetuate functional neurological symptoms. The good news is that FND is treatable by medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. The neurologist recommended I get on anxiety medication and see a psychotherapist, and in hopes of helping eliminate my passing-out episodes, he prescribed my seizure medication. About a month passed; I was still experiencing my episodes, but not as frequently as before. While driving back one evening, I had an episode and got into a car accident. After that accident, my neurologist referred me to a cardiologist. Upon being placed on an MCOT for a month, my cardiologist found that the cause of my syncope episodes was supraventricular tachycardia. After several long months of health unknowns and the rough patch of liver failure due to medication overload, it was a relief to finally get answers. I was finally on the road to recovery.

And then, at the end of April, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. With all my emergency visits with my other health issues, they found several ovarian cysts. A couple of them dissolved, but one ruptured, putting me in the emergency room. I had a follow-up with my obstetrician, and he found a complex hypoechoic lesion on the left uterine wall measuring up to 3.4 cm. Following the finding, I had a TVUS and the CA-125 blood test, which confirmed it to be cancerous. A week later, I was approved to have a hysterectomy to remove the uterus and both fallopian tubes. In addition, they would do a lymphadenectomy, which involved removing the lymph nodes, and do a biopsy to see whether the cancer spread or remained localized. When seeing my oncologist, in light of their findings, they concluded that the cancer was localized and had not spread. My oncologist stated that the risk of relapse was low and estimated to be five percent or less following surgery. Based on these findings, my oncologist did not recommend that I pursue further treatment. However, my doctor has gently reminded me that I am not completely clear even though the cancer has been successfully removed and has not spread. As a precaution, I must return in six months for a follow-up to ensure that the cancer has not returned. Following this, I will be required to undergo routine screenings. I do not doubt in my mind that God was watching over me. We may not have detected uterine cancer without my prior health concerns and emergency visits. Aside from the ruptured cysts, I did not experience any pain or even realize I had them.

My gratitude for the prognosis and not having to undergo any treatment is immense, but I also grieve the loss of being unable to have any more children, even if I wanted to. Our treatment plan was to do a hysterectomy, which gave the doctors the confidence that a hysterectomy would eliminate all cancer if the cancer were localized. Being able to have children and becoming a mother were essential aspects of my identity, and I mourn that loss. It was not the outcome I had hoped for, but God knew what my heart desired and blessed me with three beautiful children. While processing these varying emotions, I have asked myself, “How can I protect my peace and perspective while processing these emotions?” The most important thing I tell myself right now is to be gentle with my heart during this season and to remember that there is no “approved” timeframe for my grief. The process isn’t linear. The process isn’t linear. My friend asked me, “Why do you continue to serve a God who continues to afflict you with such hardship and grief throughout your life, yet you remain so faithful?” Trust me; I have asked myself this very question. My experience has taught me that every hardship I have endured – whether it be illness, a friendship betrayal, a disappointment, or the loss of a family relationship – is not a punishment from God but an organic part of life itself. By responding to hardships positively, we can build our character and better understand who God is.

It has been one week since my surgery, and I must say I am feeling pretty good. I am still on lifting restrictions, which means that I am unable to pick up my sweet Roman. 💙 Alex had to travel to Boston on business, so a friend is letting me stay with her while Alex is away as I recover from surgery.
My sincere thanks go out to all of you who have been praying for me! I wanted to give you an update on the latest regarding the surgery. A week ago, I underwent surgery to have the cancer removed. In addition, the doctor performed a lymphadenectomy, which involved the removal of the lymph nodes. In light of their findings, they concluded that the cancer was localized and had not spread. My Oncologist stated that the risk of relapse is low and estimated to be four percent or less following surgery. It is not recommended to pursue further treatment based on these findings. The oncologist reminds me that even though the cancer has been successfully removed and has not spread, I am not completely in the clear. As a precaution, I will need to return in six months for a follow-up to ensure that the cancer has not returned. 
MAY 23

I’m ready to kick some cancer’s butt! It’s super scary to hear the word cancer come from your doctor’s mouth, but I have been told I have every reason to be optimistic. And at this point, we’re assuming the prognosis is good. I’m having surgery this morning to remove the cancer, and then next Tuesday, I will follow up with the oncologist to get the results of the biopsy to see whether it’s spread. From there, we’ll see if I’ll need chemo. In the meantime, if you’re willing to send some prayers & positive vibes my way, I’d be be grateful 🖤
MAY 16

My extended family or those who follow me on social media will know I’ve dealt with many health issues. I was diagnosed with SVT at the beginning of this year, which explained my passing-out episodes. As a result of all my ER visits, we also discovered other underlying health issues. These included ovarian cysts. The cysts haven’t subsided, and this week I visited my obstetrician, and it turns out they found cancer. I’ve been processing this new information today, and I guess my default is going straight to music. I am grateful for my family and close friends who have reached out through social media or have texted me. I turned my phone on Do not disturb today, not to ignore you, but to process everything. My initial reaction was anger because I had just recovered from so many other health issues, and now this? As I was waiting in the school pick-up line for my daughter, I heard this song come on. Regardless of what this season brings, I will declare these words over my family and myself. My God is so big and I believe in the power of His healing hands. As of right now, we are trying to schedule surgery as soon as possible. Your prayers are greatly appreciated by our family.
MAY 1

It’s a lot less lonely in the hospital when this guy gets to come in with me 🖤 It’s been a long five months of trying to figure out all these passing out and paralysis episodes. Originally, I was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder, which at the time explained the paralysis episodes, migraines, dizziness, and passing out. I was put on several different seizure medications, on-top of my pain medications to manage my fibromyalgia. I had some blood work that came back abnormal showing elevated AST and ALT levels, and I started going into liver failure. My doctor immediately had me discontinue all medications and immediately started me on acetylcysteine, and with the discontinuation of my medication temporarily, my liver was able to repair itself over time. After this whole ordeal, I was referred to a cardiologist as I was still experiencing passing out episodes which lead to a car accident, passing out twice at church, and at home. I was put on an MCOT- Mobile Cardiac Telemetry monitor to see if I could possibly have a heart arrhythmia, and just yesterday my cardiologist diagnosed me with Supraventricular tachycardia and has referred me to an Electrophysiologist to determine my next steps. While we hated that my passing out episodes happened at church, we are thankful it did and that I had my MCOT caught it. I have a cardiologist appointment on Tuesday and then the Electrophysiologist appointment is on the 17th. For those who follow us, we will keep you all updated. For our close friends and family that have helped us house, thank you!
FEBRUARY 4

Surgery #3. We had to go back in after my doctor found that there were many pelvic adhesions on the left side of my abdomen. A mass had also been discovered on the left side of the ovaries, which was enclosed by adhesions. After cleaning everything up, he decided to remove the left side of the ovaries. The ultrasounds, blood tests, and CT scans could not detect anything other than severe inflammation. We remain optimistic and hope that no further abnormalities will arise. My routine check-ups will continue.
January 23