Friends, I wanted you all to know that on Jan 16th, I had a complete hysterectomy. During the procedure, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The good news is, we were very blessed to catch it early. I'm considered to be stage 2B.
During the hysterectomy, they also removed my appendix, some stomach tissue, a few lymph nodes, along with two masses. Everything was biopsied. Only the small solid mass came back malignant. Therefore, they are pretty sure they got it all out. I will start chemo one day per week for the next 18 weeks for preventative measure. I thank the Good Lord everyday for this blessing and that I'm not in any life threatening situation.
The reason for the hysterectomy was due to finding several masses near my ovary via an ultra sound a few weeks prior to the surgery. And the only reason for finding the masses was from knowing my own body and knowing something was not right. I had dull lower abdomen pain and a stayed bloated. Not normal for me. It was so dull that I actually ignored it for a while. Until one day I had severe pain. It was a few weeks before my regular scheduled Pap smear, so I waited until that appt to tell my OBGYN.
Here is the point for me sharing this story with everyone.... my Pap smear and blood work came back normal! Yes, NORMAL! A routine Pap smear will NOT detect ovarian cancer. It will only detect cervical cancer. Had I not told my doctor about the pain and had she not ordered an ultra sound, I would not know right here, right now, that I have ovarian cancer and who knows what stage I would have been in, when finally discovered. I was running and exercising during all this, felt pretty normal.
So please.... know your body ladies. Know when something is slightly off to speak up. I'm thankful I did with some pushing from family and friends. Yes, cause I'm stubborn! So don't hesitate to go to the doctor for the slightest things that don't feel quite normal.
An ultra sound is one of the only ways to detect ovarian cancer. I pray one day that an ultra sound will be part our routine preventative OBGYN visits.
I appreciate everyone's prayers as my family and I enter into the next phase of this journey "chemo" and that the doctors and nurses have the wisdom needed, and that I have continued strength to not allow this nasty disease to get me down or sick and for my family to stay strong. I'm a believer in Christ and have so much faith. God does not give us anything we cannot handle and I know the good Lord will be right by my side each step of this journey. Let's get this chemo party started, so I can take my life back!!!
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