After what I thought was my body not healing from an emergency c-section five months earlier, I went to my OB to see just what was going on. At first, I was pushed aside saying it was the way my body was healing and possible infection so was sent home on an antibiotic. That didn’t work and things were getting worse. I begged my midwife to send me for labs and an ultrasound, which she willingly did. On April 1, 2019 I was called in for a biopsy, only to find out the doctor could tell just by looking it was cancer.
Everything after that day went quick. I was headed three hours away to an oncologist where I would get the proper diagnosis and a treatment plan. I was going to be getting 5 chemo doses and 25 external radiations along with 6 internal. My body reacted to the treatment well and the tumor was gone, unfortunately, it returned before I was done with my internal treatments. Back to square one I went.
My oncologist recommended a huge surgery at a hospital five hours away which I agreed to but that was a failed attempt. After they couldn’t remove my tumor due to it being intertwined in a vein I was told there was no hope for me. Being a young mom of three that didn’t sit well and I went for a second opinion. Off to another state I went.
I met the most amazing doctor ever! He looked at my scans and told me he wanted to put me on a clinical trial which I nervously agreed to. Between my hair falling out and chronic eye issues from my meds I pushed through. After 26 rounds of treatment, driving 3 hours at 4 am every 21 days, my tumor shrunk down dramatically. I ended up coming off the trial because my eyes just couldn’t take anymore. I’m currently on maintenance immunotherapy every 21 days and proud to say as of February 21, 2022 I was declared negative of disease!!