De’s Story

Site created on June 17, 2018

You've been invited to this site because you are an important part of my life journey. As you know, For these short 5 decades on the planet, I have thrived to be a positive and a slightly independent person, so this is hard for me to share the difficult situation I find myself. 

Two months ago, I found a golf ball-sized growth in my abdomen. Thinking it was just scar tissue, I went to a massage therapist and we discovered it was some kind of other growth.  Next I went to my Osteopath, who recommended I get a pelvic ultrasound. 

Fast forward, a month later, the size of the mass had grown to a grapefruit. I was sent to get a CT scan. That led to seeing a gynecological oncologist in Denver, who recommended that I need a hysterectomy to remove the growth and they would simultaneously do a biopsy.

Early June 13th my partner drove me to Swedish Medical Hospital for my medical procedure.  During the surgery the medical team removed what was then  a cantalope-sized growth that on the biopsy report showed to be cancer.  Fortunately, they were able to  remove 95% of the cancer, and starting in July will need chemotherapy treatments for the remaining 5% (who knew fractions were going to be so important one's life) .

I will begin treatments in early July. This is all happening quickly; these are the details as I have them. When I can share more with you, I will. 

I fortunately recovered quickly from the surgery and was able to go home within two days.  The medical establishment is tremendous in their ability to keep one alive and precision in surgery, but lacks in helping empower women to come back into their body after such a major surgery .  As a yoga therapist, it was shocking no one talked to me .......    So I shot a series of videos in my not so attractive yellow hospital gown to help women more quickly recover from a hysterectomy.

Right now I am digesting this new health reality and of course brings up deep recognition of the impermenance we all face as human.  While I would never want any one to have this health issue, it has also brought more levels of joy, tenderness and love that I ever knew were possible.

There are some challenging times ahead and will need your help.

As you may know, it's difficult and humbling to ask for help. I know you have your own life going and may not be able to contribute as much support as you like. Here is how you can directly help.


1. Prayers and faith in my complete recovery are absolutely welcome and will help enormously. 

2. Once I start chemo and treatments,  I will need help with food, transportation and errands, but now, until I begin chemo, I am thankfully covered . To contact me, please use my CaringBridge site for comments, prayers and support. 

3. Come to my and other teachers' classes at Be Center. I plan to teach as much as possible through my journey as it brings me so much joy! 

I am taking each day to be in the present moment through what I teach and believe in. I am not naive and know this is scary and that there are tough times ahead. Still, I choose to operate from a positive intention and faith that I will have a 100% recovery. Please join me in that perspective and hold a bright light for me.

Newest Update

Medicine of Love

Journal entry by Cynthia Morris —

Hello Friends
“Pressure is a privilege”  – Billie Jean King

I’ve been binging on BreakPoint on Netflix lately because I love tennis. I heard this quote by Billie Jean King, which resonated with me. Right now,  I feel under a lot of pressure and there is the privilege of living with a beautiful family and supportive friends, knowing how to dance with my nervous system, and navigating the medical world. 

This brings me to early June when I was experiencing intense cramping in my abdomen. I immediately went to a clear liquid diet; however, the pain was persistent. Finally, after having a high fever, a friend drove me to ER. 

I was admitted to Boulder Community Hospital and discovered I had a partial small bowel obstruction. I hoped it resulted from scar tissue from several previous operations, but unfortunately, the blockage was a tumor. My operation was precisely five years after being first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018, and I have been cancer free for four years. But, now it has returned. 

Shit, shit, shit, shit!!!

My body has been guiding me through this process from initially recognizing something was not right, and has been guiding me to what is good, including getting rest, ice, knowing what foods I can digest, the level of pain medicine/Tylenol to take, and what movements would be helpful. I am constantly tuning in, listening to my body, and understanding more than ever that true yoga is no joke. Effort without tension-relaxation without collapse. 

The Buddhist teachings have a morning chant regarding the four reminders: the preciousness of human life, impermanence, karma, and retributions of samsara. Right now, my husband and I are sitting deeply with these reminders, as well as the gratitude for our friends and the tremendous healthcare professionals available here in Colorado.

It takes a village and I have an amazing tribe-I sit in gratitude. 

My future treatment plans are in progress as I wait for testing results,  my recent CT scan gives us clarity we found this early it is small and manageable. My blood work has bounced back beautifully. My deeper tumor testing has no new surprises and I have met with my oncologists and I am grounded in next steps. My doc is scheduling me out for what I like to call healing infusions (formerly known as chemo).

As I go through healing infusions, my primary need will be meals during this time.

We set up this Meal Train for meals for De and her family. Here is the link to sign up:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/31e0vw

I hope to call on you for support. As I need much rest right now, focusing on my healing, please understand that I will need to conserve energy and my communications might be limited. 

Please hold me in the highest light of healing. 

Shit happens, and while still recovering from my recent surgery, I feel like I will be okay and get through all of this with the great medicine of love!

Love, 

De

Read More of the journal titled "Medicine of Love"
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