Mary Ellen Hughes

To most of you who are reading this what I am about to say is not news. To those who are hearing this information for the first time I apologize. The last 8 weeks have been quite a whirlwind and I am I really just starting to fully understand what is going on myself so please bear with me. The short version of the story is that last spring I started having some vague physical symptoms (weakness, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, tachycardia,), all mild but difficult to pin down. As time wore on the symptoms became more pronounced and persistent. Numerous medical tests were performed and all were negative. Finally, at the beginning of September as things worsened multiple CT scans were performed and it was determined that I have cancer. It has taken the last 8 weeks to pin down the exact diagnosis (bile duct cancer in the liver) the extent of the disease (it has not spread, thank God,) and the appropriate treatment course. I received my first chemo treatment on 10/25 and tolerated it well. I am in fact feeling better and putting on some weight. I will be receiving my second treatment 11/8 and at the end of December, after 4  treatments we will we rescan and re-evaluate. Dick has been a brick as always and the kids seem to be handling things well. My sisters have been very supportive. As I’m sure you can imagine, Katie’s all over it. The team at Georgetown is a absolutely the best and I have complete faith in them. Dick and I are staying at Katie’s during chemo sessions since she’s so close to the hospital. It’s been quite the Airbnb experience! Hopefully this site will help me keep people updated as things move along. Katie is going to help me with it so if there is anyone, I have missed including on the e-mail list please let us know. In the meantime, feel free to reach out through the site or e-mail, etc. and keep me in your prayers.                Mary Ellen