Nancy Kennell Nancy's Cancer Journey

How on earth did ovarian cancer find Nancy's address? It seemed utterly improbable, completely impossible. Nancy has been strong, vibrant and full of life, even waiting until her early 70's  to retire.  And yet, despite all that, it happened. 

For a number of years Nancy has lived with celiac disease: eating a strict gluten free diet and managing occasional, annoying, but treatable intestinal infections. The most recent infection was different; it didn't respond to antibiotcs it and got progressively worse. On January 23, she had a CT scan . The doctors were stunned at what they saw. A membrane  was wrapping around her organs, tentacles enveloped her intestine ,and a tight band was restricting her colon. It was stage 4 and metastasized  to other organs. 


When Nancy and Mal got the call they sat paralyzed in a state of terror and utter disbelief. It was as if the house had just burned down around them. Moments later the doctor called again and told them to come directly to the hospital.  From the moment they arrived they were wrapped in a warm blanket of empathy and compassion, from the intake nurses, to doctors, social workers, chaplains, Paliative care staff, RN's, CNA's, and a whole host of employees determined to help .  For 3 days, Nancy was poked,  prodded, and scanned until they were finally able to verify a diagnosis: Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. Over the next few days she saw three oncologists, including two in Seattle, and she met her treatment oncologist at Bellingham's PeaceHealth Cancer Center where she will begin chemo in a few days.

Now that ovarian cancer has found her address, Nancy and her family, along with her medical team, are working the problem together. Ginger and Mark, Karen and James, have been here, and we're all trying to comprehend this new normal and figure out ways to navigate in the world. Nancy and Mal are utterly overwhelmed and spending some time cocooning. 


This is a frightening and isolating journey. What they need now is your love, your support, your cards, letters and emails, and your posts on this blog. But more than anything, they would appreciate your prayers. When Nancy is able to get out in the world again, she wants your love, but most likely she won't want to talk about her cancer. She's living with this reality 24 hours a day, so a trip out of the house is like a little vacation. Please use so this blog to stay informed and stay in touch.  Please subscribe to this blog to receive email notices of new posts. It's a place to support the family and stay connected as a caring community. 

We don't know where this journey will take us. We're fully aware of the grim possibilities. We're holding fast to faith and forging ahead with the treatment that will give us the best chance at the blessing of time. That's what it's all about now. Time.