Kathy Olsen

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It all began on September 25, 2017. After experiencing some symptoms and weight loss for several months, Kathy made an appointment with her GP who promptly sent her to a Dr at the Simon Cancer Center. What followed was a a whirlwind of Dr appointments, scans and tests. Biopsy done showed the cancer started as uterine cancer but has added some friends to the party...ovarian carcinosarcoma/MMMT (malignant mixed mullerian tumor), ovarian and endometrial cancer, as well as enlarged lymph nodes. The tumors are numerous and large, one filled her entire pelvic area, making walking painful. MMMT is very rare and very aggressive. 

Frontline treatment consisted of 2 rounds of chemo followed by a total hysterectom on December 19, 2017. They were able to remove the entire tumor, but there were small particles, the size of large  grains of sand left behind that would be monitored. She received 4 more chemo treatments. Kathy was able to return to work at the end of April 2018. She was feeling great, hair was coming back, and her energy returned. 

In early summer however, she started having symptoms similar to those she experienced prior to her diagnosis. This prompted her to contact her doctor. Her scan in July showed everything was stable and no new growths and Dr told her she didn't need to come back til October. Unfortunately, days after her 56th birthday, on Monday, August 27th, she was admitted to the Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis due to being in extreme pain and unable to walk. They found another large tumor, about 5"x5" filling her pelvic area and pushing on her bladder. stomach and back bowel.  The tumor also had cystic fluid that docitors attempted to drain  but due to it being very thick, were not able to remove much. 

The tumor grew very quickly since there was no evidence of it on her CT scan on July 19. They can't operate to remove it for many reasons. While in the hospital, she had an allergic reaction to the oxycodiene (they think) and had a red burning rash covering her body and on her face and ears and developed a high fever for a couple of days. 

Kathy was released from the hospital on Labor Day and started radiation the following day. She will receive 10 daily treatments then they will perform another scan and probably do chemo. 

Kathy is a very strong lady with very strong faith and is handling all of this like a champ and even with humor! However, right now there are more questions than answers and she's frustrated, as we all are too.

She and Craig, as well as our entire family welcome and appreciate your prayers. They mean the world to us!