Ovarian & Stomach Cancers Ruled Out - Probably Gastrointestinal

Although Cathy has not had the colonoscopy yet, her doctor visited today and informed her they definitely ruled out ovarian & stomach cancers through pathology. They now think it is a GI (gastrointestinal) cancer so we are looking to hook up with a GI oncologist at Sloan-Kettering. If you have a connection at Sloan-Kettering and/or in Gastrointestinal Oncology, please let us know.


Kyle sounds very positive about this development and has been reading a lot about treatment, etc. Also the fact that Cathy does not fit the profiles, age, health problems, etc and will have a strong support system in New York is a big plus.


We will definitely send an update after the colonoscopy on Monday.  If you want to be alerted as soon as the new post is up, the easiest way is to subscribe as a blog follower.

Colonoscopy Postponed

Doctors thought they might do colonoscopy today but the timing did not work out so now it will have to wait until after the week-end. If they do it early on Monday, Cathy might even be discharged later that same day.  Cathy is in good spirits and moving about very well.  She is already off pain meds and walking down the hall.

Some Good News

Cathy's parents were visiting when her oncologist gave her the news of her endoscopy. Cathy does NOT have stomach cancer. The gastro doctor will be doing a colonoscopy for the lower half, so we're still in a wait-and-see mode but this news gave us something to cheer about.

 

In other good news, Kyle has found out that his employer will let him switch from his current Humana plan to Humana POS National because of the circumstances.  This change would  probably start June 1 and would be necessary for any transfer to a New York area hospital such as Sloan-Kettering.  The thinking right now is that Cathy will likely start chemo in Florida but would have the flexibility to switch to Sloan after June 1.

 

Cathy is in good spirits, using the button to push the painkiller, and they got her out of bed while her parents were there for her first walk. She said it felt good to get out of bed.

Update from Kyle

Cathy checked into the hospital at 5:30 am and the surgery took several hours. Cathy is recovering well and is in good spirits. we have a long battle ahead of us fighting this cancer which is going to be more difficult than we thought. They are still running tests to find the source, it is not ovarian as expected. We should know more Friday. Without trying to freak anybody out the cancer is more severe than they realized and she will need very aggressive treatment. Fortunately she is young and strong so they can be aggressive. In fact the doctor could not believe she had such major surgery earlier in the day when he visited her in the evening. she was conversing well, telling jokes and just taking it in stride. Her skin looks great, not at all pale. She's a very strong woman (her dad says she gets that from him).
 
The hospital is Bayfront Medical Center, 701 6th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-4891

A Message From Cathy

This past Monday I was diagnosed with cancer.  After numerous tests, scans and appointments we found out today that it is stage 4 and most likely either ovarian or colon cancer.  I will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday morning and should know after that which cancer I have.  I will most likely start an aggressive chemo program 2-3 weeks later depending on my recovery from surgery.

This all began when I noticed a lump on my neck in late December and got it checked out a few weeks later.  I had blood tests done and the doctor said the results were great and indicated that it wasn't cancer.  I went to an ENT who referred me for a needle biopsy which I got last Friday.  This Monday I got a call to see the ENT and she told me the cells were malignant.  She was as shocked as I was.  The timing was actually fortunate in that I had been having some abdominal discomfort for the past 2 weeks and noticed tenderness this past weekend so I had taken a day off to see my ob-gyn.  I told her my diagnosis and she did an ultrasound which indicated tumors in my abdominal area.  She was able to refer me to the ob-gyn oncologist I saw today who will be doing my surgery.  I had a PET scan yesterday which shows that the cancer doesn't seem to have spread to any other organs so I am thankful and hopeful about that.

As you can imagine, the past 4 days have been a blur. Obviously, my biggest concern is Carrigan but she is also my biggest source of strength.  I am also very fortunate to have a supportive husband, family and friends.  

This is obviously a very emotional and difficult time for us.  I know I have your support, prayers and positive thoughts and that mean so much to me.  I will keep you updated.

Love,

Cathy