THIS blog is your single source of information on my latest and unwanted 'excitement'; please don't speculate, play doctor, suggest alternatives, etc. I've got a superior medical team working in my best interests.
This post is the super-summarized, Cliff Notes version as of Wednesday, June 24. Later I'll post, for those who may be interested, a mind-numbing much longer TMI version that is in-the-works, but not yet published.
Thursday - May 14, 2026. Five years ago this week I had a complete hysterectomy, due to cancer, and since then have had annual appointments with my Gynecological Oncologist (GO). Today, if everything goes well, it's expected to be the last annual visit after 5 years of 'clean' exams. Well, as it turned out I flunked this exam as suspicious tissue was biopsied and sent for pathology. Which leads to...
Monday - May May 18, 2026. A call from my GO who regretfully tells me the pathology report is positive for a rare return of the cancer. Radiation therapy will be done. He orders a CT/PET scan (standard procedure for most cancer diagnosis') and has consulted with my new Radiation Oncologist (RO) who also orders an MRI. Which leads to...
Tuesday - May 19, 2026. An early morning call from RO office to schedule initial visit for Friday, June 2nd, the soonest they can get me in. And then...
A few hours later a call from Imaging and the CT/PET scan and MRI at IMC in Murray are scheduled. And then...
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. Which leads to...
Wednesday, June 3, 2026. A morning call from the PA-C who reviewed the PET and verified there is cancerous activity as expected from GO finding; something vague at thyroid, and she is also ordering another MRI due to anomaly in the pancreas area that a MRI may define better. Yes, I had a mini melt-down. Which leads to...
Friday - June 5, 2026. A call from 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 (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 who go through a 'simulation' scan to map exactly where the radiation needs to go. Leave with paperwork instructions for daily prep and calendared appointments. Later...
GO calls at 6:55pm; we chat about 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 start on Monday are being 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. RO called this morning and after reviewing Friday MRI he wants to follow up with an Endoscopic Ultrasound. The Dr who did my two previous endoscopy's (2013 & 2019) is no longer associated with IHC so he'll check for best Dr. who can get me scheduled quickly. >sigh<...
RO calls back with name of Gastroenterologist who can see me; and to expect a call from their office this afternoon to schedule the endoscopy. 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 G 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 (Christine) and I snag the 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 the deed is 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. 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 has no confirmed treatment plan right now. He thinks there may be some radiation, but probably chemotherapy, and following that, surgery to remove the zapped tumors. I did ask if these are early, mid, or late stage and he said 'mid' (ya, I wanted to hear 'early') but assured me they're very treatable and then added "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.
