Dawn Mulqueen

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


So I have been diagnosed with cancer of the appendix. As hard as that is to say, I have high hopes of ridding my body of cancer as fast as I can. I have become a patient of the world famous MD Anderson cancer center in Houston Texas. I had appendix removed in June after severe abdominal pain. When I had the scan for possible appendicitis, they also saw cysts in both my ovaries. I followed up after appendectomy and they removed my ovaries in September. It was after this surgery that they found the cancer on appendix and ovaries that were removed. Since then, I have blood tests, ct scans and etc.  I'm currently waiting for appointment with gastrointestinal oncology surgeon to discuss what to do next. From what I've read as well as listening to medical oncologist, it probably means surgery. It is called cytoreduction surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.  Basically they go into abdominal cavity and take out any remaining cancer cells and then insert chemo which has been heated to 104 degrees. Usually takes about 10-14 hours. UGH. That is long.  



Good news - I read today that the side effects of chemotherapy this way are less harsh that intravenous chemo. So that's awesome!!! 


Well it was suggested that I do this website so I can keep my friends and family up to date and along for the ride. Thank you for all your prayers. I'm very very lucky. I know that!!!!
Dawn