Once upon a time in 2019, I was beginning to really get into napping, which I had never done before – but hey, motherhood, working and turning 37 will do that to you, right? At the end of June, I thought I had caught a stomach bug- nausea, diarrhea, cramping and bloating. My stomach of steel that usually could withstand anything was not recovering normally.

The first physician I went to in early July did not find anything after palpitating my abdomen, and merely said to come back if symptoms worsened. My husband, not pleased with the practice to begin with, urged me to go to another, and so I did, where I met CNP [LR], who did a fantastic initial evaluation on me, and felt a mass in my abdomen. This triggered the following events:

July 2019: blood work, urinalysis (normal)

August 2019: ultrasound (normal)

CNP [LR] urged me to come back in six weeks, regardless of symptoms. I did, and more tests ensued.

September 2019: blood, urine, and fecal (fun! 💩) tests – almost all normal- one occult blood finding

October 2, 2019: CT scan results. BOOM! HUGE TUMOR. 10cm at the time of removal. The colorectal surgeon himself used the phrase “size of my fist” to describe this alien-like mass of cells stuck to my colon and literally sucking the life out me. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We don’t know if it is cancer at this time point, but a tumor like this can’t be many other things.

October 13, 3019: CNP [LR] recommended Dr. [Z] to remove the mass. We meet with him, colonoscopy is scheduled and possible dates of surgery selected (because no way was that sucker going to be allowed to stay).

October 16, 2019: Colonoscopy prep makes one hangry. Also upsets my monstrous tumor, which begins to bleed in protest. Scary and surreal. Lovely ER visit that night.

October 17, 2019: As one of the attending physicians put it, “I see your colonoscopy went well!” Yes, it did, except for the fact that it also confirmed I have CANCER. 

October 18, 2019: I faint at work. A whole story by itself. (Great appreciation to the MVP catchers of that day- Dawn and Sokreine!)

October 24, 2019: Surgery Day! Dr. [Z] worked magic and prevented the tumor from eating my duodenum. My abdomen looks like a kindergartner took a purple glue stick to close the incisions. I receive a burst of energy afterwards (no more napping!) and I quickly heal from the laparoscopic surgery. (Kudos to the friends and family that took such great care of Hannah for Mike and I!)

End of October/November 2019: Doctor visits galore! Primary oncologist Dr. [S] at Abington-Jefferson and second opinions at Fox Chase Cancer Center (Dr. H), UPenn (Dr. M), and Cancer Treatment Centers of America (Dr. P). Split opinion on whether I’m Stage 3 or 4. Time will tell….