Mary’s Story

Site created on October 2, 2019

Welcome to my CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

October 1, 2019 -

Thinking of you all as we start another fall, and holidays begin to fast approach.

Our move back here to Ks. has been a wise and most pleasant choice living closer to daughter Kathi is an absolute delight!

This note is a health update on me, primarily.

As some of you know, I have a rare abdominal cancer Psuedomyxoma peritonei.  This cancer had been unknown to ALL my doctors.  I had surgery in 1987, an abdomen exploration with a medium size tumor removed and hysterectomy.  This was the first time Psuedomyxoma peritonei was added as 2nd diagnosis, malignancy unknown! It had appeared again on removal of my gallbladder in 1998 as a 2nd diagnosis.

When I saw it again for the third time after my MRI in 2015, I started my search via the internet, became self- educated and then called MD Anderson to admit myself for evaluation.

Since my first call to MD Anderson, I have been going every 6 months for CT Scan and labs. I have learned through their research it is an appendiceal cancer, very rare, with only few major hospital centers in US specialize and knowledgeable.

In July 2018, I had a Laparoscopic “debulking” procedure to remove the by-product of this cancer causing my abdomen to expand. 

This past July ’19 visit was disappointing, my cancer has become aggressive and surgery is no longer an option to remove cancer.  As this cancer grows, the by-product of this cancer continues to grow as well and continues to fill up my abdominal cavity.  This added pressure will cause a bowel blockage.  This blockage will happen anytime now and there are no options to fix it.  I will return to MD Anderson in Nov. for next CT Scan.

Good news is I feel great and never have had any pain. This cancer is contained in the abdomen so it will not spread to any other areas of my body!

When I returned home after that news in July, I went to the Cancer Center of Kansas and became a patient of Dr. Nabbout, Oncologist. I decided I did not want to just do nothing and wait for a blockage and Dr. Nabbout had a plan to buy me some time and I’ve started it!

I decided to start a chemo regime to see if we could slow down the growth of this tumor.  My 1st treatment on 9/16, did well, no side effects from drugs, pump worked well. Energy and activity as normal.

I had 2nd chemo treatment yesterday and I still feel great, no side effects as yet.  They say I might have sensitivity to cold as the biggest side effect or the most likely to occur, and numbness of fingers and feet, as a nerve neuropathy side effect coming next. 

Routine is every 2 weeks, Mon. for infusion of 2 powerful drugs, known to kill aggressive cancer cell blood supply, then attach pump to continue infusion for 46 hours, removed on Wed.

 Lab and Dr. appointment on the following Mon. The hope is my CEA lab number to drop significantly.  If this is not the case, my treatment may end.

Prayer groups from several friends and neighbors have me doing so well.

Our Lord is so good! I trust He will continue to guide me along this path of surviving if it is His Will.

Love, Mary

 



Newest Update

Journal entry by Mary Welton

Another year quickly coming to an end. I have been so blessed to have been able to continue keeping my cancer at bay.
Finished chemo in March, continue to get infusions q 3 weeks at Cancer Center with the drug Avastin, which effects the blood supply of existing cancer cells. ..slowing down their reproduction.

I continue to feel good, active and productive.

Despite this year being in turmoil with covid ,we have stayed healthy, avoiding crowds and family .Julia came back home from NY end of summer and is still working from home till Jan. and Bobby has been traveling much as well so we have observed their quaratine periods.

We did go and celebrate our oldest grandson David and Melissa's wedding in Memphis this past month ! It was my goal to be able to go, and covid gave us a challenge on traveling.  We drove, were very careful with stops, and had wonderful trip! Cheryl and David were very attentive to providing much sanitizing and effective arrangements to seating and catering the entire week!

God is good!!!!

A fall in May injured my right shoulder, and after 12 weeks of physical therapy, not returning me back to full function, verdict is a total replacement of shoulder.
That decision has not been made yet by me.
Prayers needed to guide me on making a right decision.

Wishes for a healthy ,happy ,Blessed Christmas to each one of you special folks from Robert and me!
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