Linda Yates

First post: May 29, 2018 Latest post: Jun 13, 2018
Hello family and friends - In order to provide updates to everyone, I'm starting this site for my momma, Lin Yates (Andrea's writing this post).  

Quick Background: About 7-8 weeks ago, mom wasn't feeling well and went to see her doctor in Prescott, AZ.  Initially they thought mom just had a UTI, so they were treating it with antibiotics.  That seemed to help a bit, but then the discomfort was back.  They treated again with different meds, but still didn't get rid of the  pain/discomfort she was feeling.  Mom also started to develop some fluid in her lower abdomen area that was causing additional discomfort.  At that point, the doctors determined that mom should have an ultrasound completed.  That showed some concerning results, so an MRI was ordered.  The MRI was inconclusive, so a CT scan was ordered.  In the midst of all of this, mom and dad were planning a move back to Show Low, AZ.  They moved to Show Low a day or so after the CT was done, so they took their results to the hospital over there and got connected with a great team of doctors.  Show Low doctors reviewed all of the scans (which revealed a mass of "some concern") and ordered some additional blood work to check for tumor markers (CA-125 test).  After a few more days, the blood work came back indicating elevated CA-125 levels.  At that point, mom's Show Low doctors began talking about a diagnosis of cancer, likely ovarian given the location of the mass.

Week of 5/21: This past week, mom saw her local Show Low doctors to conduct a "pre-surgical" exam to determine fitness for surgery for removing the mass, ovaries, etc.  that went well and she is cleared for surgery.  On 5/24, we met with mom's oncology team in Phoenix, AZ with St. Joseph's to review again all of the scans and to get a surgery date scheduled.  No new information from that appointment, but we were able to discuss the surgery, what to expect, and get a date/time scheduled.

***Surgery will be on 5/30 with a check in at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ at 10am.  Surgery will begin at noon;  expected to last about 4 hours****

As we understand it, they will initially remove the mass, ovaries, and fallopian tubes and send them away for testing during the surgery to determine a positive/negative cancer diagnosis.  If the mass is benign, they'll still be doing a full hysterectomy (as far as we know), but then we'll be in the clear!  This is what we're all hoping for - best possible outcome!

If they confirm that the mass is malignant/cancerous, then they'll still do a complete hysterectomy, but they'll also conduct additional biopsies in the abdominal cavity checking nearby organs to determine if anything has spread so they can stage the cancer.

That's all for now, but I'll send an update next week once we learn more.  Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes - keep them coming!




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