Pat Gruninger Pat's Page

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My story begins in 1993 when my appendix ruptured and I had surgery.   The wound became infected, I was in the hospital 10 days and it never did heal right.  I knew there was a surgical hernia there for years but it wasn't bothering me and I left it alone.   With all our recent travels, my primary doctor had told me,  that I could get it fixed when I wanted, where I wanted, and with whom I wanted, or suffer some consequences.   I decided to have it fixed and had surgery on 12/4.  When Terry and I went back for my recheck on 12/19, the surgeon told us that he was as shocked, as we were, and I had cancer.   He had sent off some tissue that was "unremarkable and looked perfectly normal".   It wasn't.   We saw the gynecological oncologist on 1/3.  I had a PET scan on 1/4.  The gyn/oncologist called to report there was no involvement with the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes or anywhere else.   I have peritoneal cancer, which typically goes to the female organs next.   I will have a debulking surgery on 1/23.  They will remove all those organs and do an intensive exam to see if anything looks abnormal.   The surgery itself will be 3 1/2 hours and I will be in the hospital for a week.   I will come home for 2-3 weeks and then start chemo, which will be infected into my abdomen as well as intravenously. I asked Dr Munoz what I should tell the girls and he told me to tell them "it is treatable, we have a couple of rough months ahead, and you should be fine".  My primary doctor and the surgeon, who both have experience with patients with this cancer, say the same thing.   I know God will heal me - completely and totally.   Please add me to any prayer list, groups or churches you are in contact with.  I have preop stuff on 1/15 and Terry and I may head out of town for a couple of days before surgery next week.   Thank you all for all you mean to me!  Love, Pat