The Whole Sad Tale

Many folks have been asking me about the details leading up to this point so I thought I'd give you the history here.

August 27, 2008

I had severe abdominal pain, and you all know what a suck I am with pain, and Aaron took me to the hospital.  At the Palmerston Hospital, the doctor on call refused to come in and just ordered the nurse to give me a shot of Demerol for the pain.  Aaron, bless his wisdom, drove me to Grand River Hospital in Kitchener where the emerg doctor was awesome.  Many tests were ordered and I was sent home on the 28th to return on the 29th for a cat scan.

August 29 - 31st

After the cat scan I was admitted to Grand River Hospital because the pain had not subsided and a gastrointerologist was called in.  They were worried about Crohn's Disease as it runs in my family.  I was sent home with two heavy duty antibiotics and a follow up with Dr. Ismaili was scheduled for September 25th.

September 8, 2008

I was called to go into St. Mary's hospital of an ultra sound.  They were to send the results to Dr. Ismaili's office (the gastro doctor).

September 15, 2008

Called into Dr. Ismaili's office, there were concerns about some test results.  Aaron and I went to the appointment obviously worried, I was thinking I had Crohn's disease.  When we went Dr. Ismaili informed me that all the gastro testing was fine and he did not have a concern about Crohn's.  However, test results came back suggesting a concern for ovarian cancer.  The ultra sound had showed a mass in my ovary and I guess the way it was pictured suggested cancer.  Also, I had a CA 125 blood test done, which is a marker for ovarian cancer and the level was extremely high.  The norm for this blood test is 0-35 and my level is 3400.  Some of my other symptoms also suggested cancer.  Dr. Ismaili was going to refer me to a gynecologist and wanted me seem within a couple of weeks.

September 26, 2008

Off to the Cancer Clinic of London Health Sciences, Aaron and I go.  The facility was awesome and I couldn't have asked for better staff.  I was beyond nervous but, you know Aaron, he's my rock (and of course we had much black humour to get us through).  I met with nurses and an intern and then with the oncologist, Dr. Lanvin.  He is a very gently, kind French man.  After all the exams and his review of all my previous testing he broke the news to me.  He stated that he didn't want to be pessimistic but he also wanted to be realistic.  He believes with the various test results it is a good chance that I do have ovarian cancer and suggested surgery.  He also shared with me that chemotherapy will probably have to take place.  He did reassure me that if this is indeed cancer, the treatment success rate is excellent.

In cases where they are not sure whether or not it is  cancer, a laproscopic surgery occurs to remove the ovary.  Because Dr. Lanvin is more positive he explained that I will have a full vertical incision where he will remove the ovary and while I am still under the pathologist will test the cells and if it is cancerous I will have a full hysterectomy.  There are also three other areas that look like cancerous growths, and the doctor will remove them as well.

Two weeks after surgery I will have a follow up appointment with Dr. Lanvin and he will share the full pathology report.  At that time, if it is cancer, I will find out what stage and if chemotherapy is needed.  If chemo is needed my first treatment will be one to two weeks after this appointment.  There will be 6 chemo treatments, one every 21 days.

My surgery is scheduled for Thursday, October 9th at 8 am in London.