THIS blog is your single source of information on my latest and unwanted 'excitement'; please don't speculate, play doctor, suggest alternatives, etc., or share this information! I've got a superior medical team working in my best interests.
This post is the somewhat summarized, Cliff Notes version thru Wednesday, June 24. Check back for up-to-date posts of this, once again, life-changing diagnosis.
Thursday - May 14, 2026. Five years ago this week I had a complete hysterectomy, due to cancer, and since then have had semi-annual and then annual appointments with my Gynecological Oncologist (GO). He's easy to talk to and we chat for a while about various things (such as the alarming increase of colon cancer in twenty & thirty-year-old's), and especially that this 5-year appointment, after 4 years of 'clean' exams will mark the end of annual visits if this exam is also clean. And so, the examination begins and when I hear "oh" my heart races a little. Apparently he's found something concerning and explains a bit what he sees and that he's going to biopsy it. Dang, I flunked this exam! With that done, he tell me there are now three possible pathology results: 1) benign, 2) pre-cancerous [follow-up in 6 months to monitor], and 3) cancerous and if so it'll likely be treated with radiation [hoo boy!], and if I haven't heard from him about results in a week my instructions are to call his office.
"Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch" is a popular idiom advising against making plans or commitments based on expected outcomes that aren't guaranteed --especially at 5-year checkups--! Ya, good advice.
Next...
Monday - May May 18, 2026. My cellphone rang this afternoon but couldn't get to it in time (it is NOT permanently attached to me!). Checked voice mail and there was message from my GO and to give him a call. The fact it's Monday and he is calling so soon did not give me any peace of mind, and by the tone of his voice could tell this wasn't going to be good news. Let the phone-tag games begin. Eventually we made a connection and the devastating news was delivered = my GO regretfully says the pathology report is positive for a rare return of the cancer! Radiation therapy is the preferred treatment and will be done. He orders a CT/PET scan (standard procedure for most cancer diagnosis') and has already consulted with his preferred Radiation Oncologist (RO) who has also ordered an MRI. I'm to expect a call from Intermountain Healthcare Care (IHC) to get the PET and MRI scheduled, and also the RO office to schedule my initial appoint. Which leads to...
Tuesday - May 19, 2026. First thing this morning I get a call from RO office and earliest available appt is June 5th. Yikes, that's a long time to stress out. And then...
A few hours later I get a call from IHC and the CT/PET is scheduled for June 2nd and the MRI June 10th along with prep instructions for each. Both will be done at Intermountain Medical Center (IMC) in Murray. More waiting and trying to not stress until...
Tuesday - June 2, 2026. CT/PET scan this afternoon. Day before scan instructions (activity limitations, high protein/low carb diet, and water timing) are sent to prepare for the PET scan. My first and second PET's were 13 years ago so the prep is no surprise; here's a link https://mm2013-my-life-turned-upside-down.blogspot.com/2013/06/pet-scan.html. Which leads to...
Wednesday, June 3, 2026. A morning call from the PA-C who has reviewed the PET results and verified there is cancerous activity as expected from GO finding; something vague at thyroid, and she is also ordering another MRI (chest/abdomen) due to anomaly in the pancreas area that a MRI may define better. Yes, I had a mini melt-down, then reminded myself staying positive is best. Which leads to...
Friday - June 5, 2026. A call from IHC Imaging, just before I need to leave for RO appointment, and the soonest they can get me in for the rush-MRI is June 12th at McKay-Dee Hospital. Then...
Initial appointment with my new RO and his team. He has seen the PET scan and says he's not too concerned about the thyroid (an ultrasound can wait), pancreas issue could be multiple causes. He will be doing the mapping for radiation treatments, fills me in on radiation options and side effects (I choose the safer path and he agrees) with the first treatment to start Monday, June 15th, for 5 weeks, 5 days a week. After an exam he introduces me to his radiation team and we go through a 'simulation' scan to map exactly where the radiation needs to go and other prep work for what will be 10-15 minutes each day of radiation therapy. Leave with paperwork instructions for daily prep and calendared appointments. I really like this guy and look forward to working with him; he reminds me of my original Chemo Doc, which is a good thing! Later...
GO calls at 6:55pm; we chat about todays RO appt and what treatment plan decision was made. Then it's wait until...
Wednesday - June 10, 2026. MRI (pelvis/abdomen) done at IMC in Murray. Fortunately I'm not claustrophobic as that tube is small, and NOISY; the provided headphones helped muffle sound but not by much. Then it's a waiting game again...
Thursday - June 11, 2026. Call this afternoon from my GO. After review of yesterdays MRI results he has spoken with my RO and they have a new plan: radiation treatments that were to begin on Monday are being temporarily cancelled, for now, pending results of tomorrows MRI. And so...
Friday - June 12, 2026. McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden is site today of MRI (chest/abdomen) which is ordered with a 'pancreas protocol' and yes, that is unsettling. The 'tube' is same but the headphones today come with my choice of music to drown out, somewhat better, the noise of MRI. More waiting for results...
Monday - June 15, 2026. Today was supposed to be the first day of my radiation treatments which have been put on hold. Still not sure how I feel about that other than 'concern' of the unknown still ahead. An early morning peek into my email and there's one from IHC with subject "New Test Results in MyChart" but before I can get to reading it there's a phone call from my RO, who mentions he's in Montana, and says why but I don't remember that right now. Anyway, he has reviewed the results of the Friday MRI and after consulting with my GO they have decided to cancel my radiation treatments until the suspicious 'tumor-like' area in my pancreas is resolved. Because this last MRI wasn't as helpful as they hoped, RO wants to follow up with an Endoscopic Ultrasound which, in addition to what its camera will see, can also biopsy "the area/s" causing concern by the Dr's to determine what exactly it is. RO asks if I've had endoscopy before and the answer is "Yes, two" and while I'm a but fuzzy on the name of the Gastroenterologist who did them I might need a few minutes for research. RO says to call him back when I find it; the cobwebs in my brain cleared quickly about the name so called back with the info. By noon my RO calls to say he's discovered the Gastroenterologist who did my previous endoscopies is no longer associated with IHC so he's checked for new gastro Dr with a high recommendation and who can get me scheduled quickly >sigh< and to expect a call from his office this afternoon to schedule the procedure. My nerves are about shot--am I gonna end up with an ulcer also? No call this afternoon; the waiting game continues...
Tuesday - June 16, 2026. 8:09am call from Dr Gastro office with notice the endoscopy will be done Monday, June 22nd; I'll get call on Friday about when to be at LDS Hospital for the procedure. Then, pre-admission questionnaire since I won't be meeting Dr Gastro before, and prep instructions sent for the endoscopy. Anesthesia involved so I need a driver/chaperone. Okay...
Friday - June 19, 2026. Dr Gastro office calls with admission time to hospital of 1:30pm. Best news I've heard in a while because it's not an early, early morning check-in! Weekend spent trying to distract my stressed brain until...
Monday - June 22, 2026. My driver (sister/Christine) and I snag the absolute best handicapped parking spot and make our way into the hospital. Funny story: when I check-in at registration desk the gal directs me to Radiology which catches me off guard for a moment then tell her that appt has been cancelled and I'm here for endoscopy. Christine waits in endoscopy waiting room while I'm escorted, prepped and taken to the procedure room where I meet the Dr and his anesthesiologist and the deed is finally done. Dr Gastro says he'll call me with results. We're out of hospital by 4:30pm, perfect timing for rush hour traffic. Waiting again...
Tuesday - June 23, 2026. Around noon-ish is a call from nurse at Dr Gastro office checking to see how I'm doing. Other than sore throat from the camera (those pics were interesting!) I'm good. Later...
7:42pm - call from Dr Gastro who confirms my worst fears regarding the pathology results from pancreas tissue biopsy's. And now, for the 4th time, I've heard: "You have cancer." He will be contacting the next Dr's he'll refer me to after going over my case with them so there is no confirmed treatment plan right now. He thinks there may be some radiation, probably chemotherapy, and surgery but can't say in what order as that'll be up to the new (to me) Dr's. I did ask if these are early, mid, or late stage and he said 'mid' (ya, I wanted to hear 'early') but he assured me it's very treatable and then added "Marilynn, you've been through worse." Hooookay. I'm to expect calls from these Dr's tomorrow for next steps. More waiting...
Wednesday - June 24, 2026. Stick around the house all day but no calls. So, more waiting...
I ask again, to those so inclined, for your prayers on my behalf. I'm a person who prefers my glass half-full and reminding myself to stay positive.
Love ya all.
