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RSS FeedCONNIE DEAL's OVARIAN CANCER FIGHT STATUS |
THIS MAY BE OUT OF THE ORDINARY but early in 2007 my wife Connie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage C-III. Since then many relatives, friends and even light acquaintences around the country are continually asking for updates on her status, she is respected and loved by so many. She personally tries to keep everyone undated (as no one knows what she is going through better than she does) by sending out group emailings. Still she misses many and therefore I thought I would include her reports in my blog as a future reference for those who may be interested. Connie tries to share enough detail in hopes that it will help others as it already has with our daughter who went to see her own doctor and was diagnosed in the early stage of ovarian cancer C-1, THANK GOD! The following are her last email reports as I still have them:
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April 25, 2008, Connie Deal's ovarian cancer update:
I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all of you who have already gotten the word on the return of my cancer for your prayers and encouragement. I love you all.
To bring you up to date from my last email…
When I had discovered a lump in my lower pelvic area and insisted on having it checked as I felt it growing in size… though nothing had been showing up on the previous CT scans… My Dr's PA nurse examined me, (he was out of town) and she agreed with me that something was not right and contacted my Dr. who had her order an MRI done and I was now just waiting for my Dr. to return from his trip to go over the results…
I met with my doctor on Monday the 14th of April to go over the MRI and my concerns. He said the MRI had been compared to the previous CT scans and only a stable mass had shown up on all of them—no changes. Again I insisted that I felt something and knew it was growing. So he did a pelvic and rectal exam and confirmed my findings. There definitely was a mass in there. He left the room to look over the scans again and when he came back in he told me I was smarter than the Scans. The stable mass that had been showing up all this time was my cervix, which none of the radiologists knew I still had left over from my previous surgery. I thought that was a hoot!!! Rushing said the cervix must have shadowed the tumor so it could not be seen. We discussed the alternatives and came to the conclusion to remove it. He wanted to use the new “ROBOT” tech machine to do the surgery if possible. (only 8 doctors are qualified to perform this procedure in our areas of
The planned surgery was moved up to Monday the 21st instead of the 24th,because of my fears of bowel blockage from the lump. On Thursday the week end before surgery I became more alarmed and asked the doctor to check it again. Bless his heart, he had 3 surgeries to do on Friday but managed to work me in for another exam. He said the excess size that I was feeling was due to constipation which as you might have guessed a big relief. Saturday and Sunday would be my clean out days followed by a clear liquid diet. After taking the laxatives on Saturday I felt less pressure and anxiety. Monday I went in to the hospital at 5:00 AM for prep and labs and had surgery at 7:30 AM. All went well. He was able to use the ROBOT so I only have 5 - 1” incisions across my belly. He did mention that the tumor had grown even since his last exam. Diligence pays off… so if you guys have concerns about your body or health—be persistent.
My doctor said the tumor was more like a glue substance and not easily removed, so he cleaned out as much as he could and sent a piece of it to a special lab which will help to determine my next course of action on chemo. YES the cancer has returned. It is also in the lining of my abdomen. Good thing is we caught in at an early reoccurrence and should be able to get it under control again with treatment. I am scheduled to have some kind of a
I had been feeling pretty weak and tired the past few days along with battling a sinus infection/cold. I am on anti-biotics right now for that. I went to the cancer clinic yesterday because I was feeling so run down and they took more blood test, hydrated me and found again I was low on Potassium. I was given some IV potassium at the clinic and am taking powder form for 5 days at home. I must say I am feeling so much better today. Live is good again. Still a little tired and sore but that is to be expected. I’m improving each day.
Well there’s another chapter to my phantom book. I hope everyone else is also on mend and know that my prayers are continually with you.
Love and hugs to all,
Connie Deal
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April 8, 2008, Connie Deal's ovarian cancer update:
Just thought I would bring you all up to date on my progress.
Wow! What a year this has been for so many people I know and care about including our immediate family. My prayers are continually lifted to God for you all.
I saw my Neurologist on March the 24th for a check up. I am doing well in that department. My nerves are showing improvement and are slowly healing. My hair is losing some of it's curliness and beginning to thicken up more. I have been tired more lately though and having a hard time staying warm. My doctor ran some more labs but I haven’t gotten them back yet.
I have been doing pretty good otherwise until recently.
I had my CA125 count done on February 26 (CA-count was 11 up from a low of 6) – still nothing to be concerned about - right???!! along with a CT scan because I was concerned about a lump or nodule (as the doctors call it) I felt in my pelvis area which seemed to be between the rectum and bladder. The scan showed a stable mass that had shown up on previous CT scans, so I felt relieved and just kept a check on it myself.
Recently the mass (or one similar to it) felt as if it were growing rather quickly, and I was feeling much more discomfort in my lower abdomen. I called for an appointment but was told my doctor was out of town and that his assistant (PA) could see me. I agreed, and during our meeting and discussion of symptoms she did a pelvic exam and agreed something was there. So after she consulted with my doctor, via email, they decided to have me do an MRI for a closer look which was done this last Thursday. I then waited for my doctor to return so we could go over the results of the labs and MRI reports. That was today.
My CA125 taken on April 1, showed it had risen to 39. The MRI test showed pretty much the same result as the previous CT scans. There was a small but stable mass between the bladder and rectum. To say the least, I was frustrated and I insistent that something was not right. I could feel it growing and changing almost daily. My doctor listened to my concerns and did a pelvic himself. He also agreed something was not right. He said, he felt a mass about the size of a silver dollar that was obviously not picked up on the CT and MRI scans. It is in an area that is hard to pick up. Shadowed by the cervix the doctor thinks. Anyway, we (Bob was with me) all discussed what our next step would be.
After going over the pros and cons, we all decided to have it removed. Right now I am scheduled for surgery on the 24th of this month. He will biopsy it for cancer when he goes in. He is hoping to do a less invasive type of surgery with a new machine called the Robot, (which he has used several times in Portland-and there is a machine now at our hospital here in Vancouver) but IF it is in an area he can’t get to through my abdomen he will go through the wall of the cervix. After he sees what’s there and if it is cancerous we will discuss what the next step will be. Either way it will be removed. It may be nothing or it may mean more chemo or if it is cancerous and has not invaded other areas he will still remove it and then we may just wait awhile longer to do anything and just keep a close eye on things.
So again… please hold me up in your prayers. I am in hopes that it is just a tumor and not cancerous.
I truly believe in my heart that God is continually walking with us through all of our trials and that he is preparing his table before us in the present of our enemies… which means we are blessed and bigger blessings are coming… I know it is hard to imagine it now, but just hang in there, keep the faith and persevere cause – better things are just over the horizon.
Love, prayers and hugs,
Connie Deal
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Dec 17, 2007, Connie Deal's ovarian cancer update to those interested:
Some of you have asked how I have been doing lately so I thought I had better catch you up with my progress.
I saw my Neurologists for some in-depth studies on my neuropathy about 2 weeks ago. He did some electrical shock treatments on me to determine the sensitivity and movement of my limbs. When he hit the electricity shock to my arms I bout jumped out of my skin, but when he tested my legs there was hardly any movement. He determined that I do have sensory nerve damage in both arms and legs which run down to the hands, fingers, feet and toes, but there is no motor nerve damage. I am on some meds that are suppose to help trick my brain into not receiving pain signals. Can’t say its working to well yet. In fact I feel like it is getting worse. A couple of months ago I was able to walk any where from 1.5 to 3 miles a day with out any problem. Now I can hardly walk 3 blocks. He wasn’t able to tell me if it is permanent… just a waiting game. May not know for a couple of years. He says nerves take a long time to heal. In spite of all this I still feel very blessed. I am feeling good everyday, putting on some weight (around 10 pounds) and growing some cute, short curly hair. Everyone likes rubbing it cause it is so soft and say it is really stylish.
I see my cancer doctor in Feb. for follow up labs and another CT scan. I’m not feeling apprehensive or worried at all because I have been feeling so good. I saw my primary care doctor today for high cholesterol follow up. My bad is high and my good cholesterol is at a good level. We tried some natural supplements first to try and lower it, but with no good results. So he is putting me on a low dose prescription medicine to see if that will bring the high counts in line… with another follow up of labs in 3 weeks.
So, as you can see I’m nearly fit as a fiddle and improving every day. God is very good to me.
I know I have said it before but it is important for me to say it again,… with all my heart, I want to say a big THANK YOU for all your encouragement and prayers. You have all stuck with me through this whole process and you will never know what it has meant to me. I feel very loved and am humbled by your thoughtfulness and caring. You are all loved by and so very special to me. God has surely been listening.
Warmest wishes for the holidays… with love,
Connie Deal
