Katherine Gaul

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As most of you may know, Kat was admitted into UNMC on June 11, 2018 for severe abdominal pain.  A CT Scan of her abdomen showed several masses and fluid.  Bloodwork showed some abnormal cells but they weren’t able to identify them.  The first time she had a Paracentesis (fluid removed from her abdomen) they removed 5 liters of fluid, and during the 2nd Paracentesis they took out 6 liters.  The fluid was sent off for testing as well.  Preliminary results pointed towards a type of ovarian cancer.

Kathy was discharged and sent home on June 18th.  However during that time her pain began to escalate again.  On the 21st, Kat went back to UNMC for a consultation with the Gynecology Oncologists.  They told her that she did not have ovarian cancer, rather she has Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and they believe it originated in her GI-Tract, not her lungs.  This is a rare form of cancer with only 200k cases nationwide.  Unfortunately it is very aggressive.  Kat’s main cancer doctor is Dr. Jean Grem.  She recently came to UNMC from Cancer Center of America and is considered one of the top doctors in her specialization.

Kathy was admitted to the Buffet Cancer Center, on the UNMC campus, after her consultation.  The plans were to do pain management along with an additional CT Scan of her chest/head, a Pet Scan and to place a port for her chemotherapy.  During the day, Kathy’s pain continued to escalate.  She had 2 CT Scans, the one mentioned above as well as one for her abdomen.  She also received at least 5 bags of saline.  Due to her pain level and limited mobility she was catharized, unfortunately there was no urine output.  Towards evening they did get a pain med cocktail that seemed to help some, and Kris was able to get her to drink 1 bottle of Ensure.