Rhonda Babin Rhonda's Round 4

Round 4.  The first thing anyone wonders is if I’m scared.  The answer is I had to get over that fear years ago.  Cancer has been a part of my life since I was a child.  It look my mom from me and I promised myself that I wouldn’t let it take me away from my kids.

 

Cancer first showed up inside of my body in 2000.  Within 6 months of a clear mammogram, I noticed a change in my skin texture on my breast.  I went see my doctor and was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer that day and started chemo immediately in the hospital without a med port.  At the time, my kids were the same age that myself and my older brother were when we lost our mom. I was also the same age as my Mom at the time of death.  I fought that battle and won.

 

In 2011, cancer decided to come for another visit.  This time it targeted my kidney.  My surgeon was able to remove the cancer leading to a fairly short battle that I won.   Just a few years down the road, it returned.  2018 I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.  I was able to undergo a full hysterectomy and rid my body again (so I thought).  By this time, technology and genealogy had advanced and I was a candidate for gene testing.  During this process I was diagnosed with the BRCA – 1 gene.  So far, Rhonda – 3 vs Cancer – 0.  But with my new diagnosis I knew my life would continue to be a war with cancer.  My hope was with the full mastectomy years before and this full hysterectomy that I would be in the clear at least for a while.  3rd times the charm right?

 

This year had my blood work in March of 2021.  It was clear and I was free to go home and watch my new grandbaby grow.  Almost 6 months later, I noticed my left leg and foot were pretty swollen one night.  I knew my body wasn’t right, so I called the doctor.  At midnight I was told to go to the ER to see if it was a blood clot. They told me  that I had cancer in the fluid of my abdominal cavity.  The first thing that went through my head was “Round 4”, here it is again.  Then the questions started:  has it spread? Where did it originate?  Is it because of the gene?  Is there something I should have done differently?  Etc.  

 

This week I finally got a diagnosis, Metastatic Endometrial Adenocarcinoma.  I’m feeling positive.  After a 2nd opinion from specialist in New Orleans, Dr Jerrigan; we have decided that the best treatment plan for me is to avoid the risk of surgery and go directly to chemo.  For that treatment, I’ll be seeing Dr Michael Cain in Lafayette.  I’m feeling confident and more positive than ever that this is just another battle that I know I will be victorious in.  After all, I’m the rock of my family and I have not let them down before and will not let them down now.