Cathy's Journey: January 2017

As one year ends and another begins, I want to reflect on 2016. The year brought us shocking news on April 6 as I was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. Thomas, Candice, Abby and Austin were right there beside me as Dr. Joan Walker explained what the CT scan showed: large tumor on my ovary (size of a grapefruit), two other tumors close to the skin, several other tumors deeper in my abdomen and fluid (cancerous cells) in the omentum (layer of fat cells in abdomen). On April 11, 2016, I had laparoscopic surgery to see if the tumors could be removed. Dr. Walker decided that surgery to remove the tumors at this point was not a good idea. I did nine chemotherapy treatments and then had surgery to remove the tumors on June 23 and started chemotherapy again 2 weeks later. Even though I felt pretty good most of the time and responded very well to the chemo treatments, when I look back on the six months from April to October, I realize that I was pretty sick. My weight dropped almost 20 pounds. I am now back up to my pre-diagnosis weight and feel like my old self again. The only thing that is different is my hair!

I am still on the research medication and will continue that for two years. Every six weeks I go in for blood work, see the doctor and get my next round of pills. I also go in for a CT scan every 3 months for the next two years, then every 6 months for a year and then once a year from then on. The CT scans that I had in August and November were both clear - no cancer. My next scan is in February.

I thank God every day that I am currently cancer-free. With that said, I also realize that I will be dealing with this from now on - lab work, scans, dr. appointments, etc. But that is ok because for now I am healthy, happy and loving life.

I went back to work on October 4 which was a very good thing. Up until that point I was still low on energy and moving pretty slowly. Once I was back at work - getting up early every day and getting lots more exercise during the day, I started to feel even better.

Between October and December, we took several trips and had some great family time together. We flew to LA and then drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco. In November, we went to New York City and stayed in an apartment on the Upper West Side. In early December, Thomas and I took a trip to Chicago and the week before Christmas, we met Abby, Kelly, Kylie and Austin in California and spent two days (rainy days) at Disneyland.

I am looking very forward to 2017. My New Year's resolutions are to enjoy every day and to start a walking routine (per Dr. Walker!!!).

And again, thank you to every single one of you who took time to call, text or send me a card. The way our friends and family reached out to us, during the most difficult year, was unbelievable. From meals brought to us, to gifts and gift cards, to visits to the hospital or our home, to helping out with Emma, to praying for all of us, we could not be more thankful. I pray that all of you have a wonderful 2017 and make the most of every day!

Love, Cathy