In the beginning...

Everyone has a story of how it all began. Here is my beginning...

It all started on Christmas Eve 2013. I was hanging out with my family; enjoying games, football, good food and company. I had a nagging pain around my diaphragm on the right side. It felt mostly like a spasm and would come and go, more annoying than anything. Then later that night, I awoke to horrific pain in my right shoulder, unchanged by any position, massage or stretching. Christmas day the pain was back to its nagging annoying self. Until I threw up blood. Which prompted my trip to the ED.

Waiting to get evaluated took over 3 hours, apparently I was not a high priority patient. I was taken to a room where ultrasound of my right upper quadrant was completed. The tech doing the ultrasound found a small stone in my gal bladder, but quickly decided to ultrasound my entire abdomen. She kept asking me if anything hurt in my pelvis, my answer was no. She departed and a short time later the treating physician arrived with news of more impending tests. "What are you ruling out, sir?" was my only question. His reply "cancer".

3 hours later I had a full abdominal CT which revealed a 9cm mass in my pelvis and multifocal lesions on my liver. I was promptly admitted for further testing. The next two days were a blur of information, tests and tears. CT of my chest, chest x-ray, EKG, liver biopsy.  I left not knowing what was wrong with me, awaiting a pending a biopsy.

1 week later, the biopsy returned with news of "undifferentiated cells of upper GI origin". This prompted more testing. An endoscopy and colonoscopy later, I knew nothing more than my GI tract was as clean as a whistle. Back to the drawing board. PET scan on Tuesday and a meeting with a gyno oncologist on Wednesday.

PET scan confirmed the mass in my pelvis, some scattered involvement that seemed to be located in the mesentery of the small bowl and the mets on my liver. Great, information that we already had. The following morning, I met with the gyno oncologist. The news- you likely have germ cell carcinoma ovarian cancer. We wont know until we remove the mass in your pelvis and biopsy it. Surgery is planned for tomorrow morning. From there, we can determine the type of cancer and initiate a plan for treatment. Oh and by the way, "I think the mass is actually one of your ovaries. If I see anything abnormal with the other ovary, I will need to remove it".

I left the appointment with my head spinning. If he removes both of my ovaries, I will be 29 without the option to reproduce. Questions swirling. Do I want kids? I dont know, but I would like the option in having them. What does this mean for work? How horrible is this abdominal surgery going to be? Is there a cure to this type of cancer?

That next morning (January 9, 2014), we ventured to Providence Portland to have the surgery. It went well. Better than expected in fact. The tumor tissue was not my ovary, it was deeply imbedded in the mesentery of my colon. There was a small tumor on the tip of my ovary that was the same consistency of the tumor. They took that and left both my ovaries. Recovery from the surgery was rough. No bending, lifting or twisting. No sitting up without first log rolling and using my arms to push me up. An incision about 5 inches in length starting in my belly button going south was all that remained. A new battle wound. I was discharged 2 days later with again another pending biopsy.

1 week later it was confirmed: Germ cell carcinoma ovarian cancer, stage IV. A highly treatable cancer that is ridiculously sensitive to chemo agents. "If you could chose to have anything of this nature, this is the best prognosis. We know its curable. Youre in good hands" were the words of my doctor.

Plan? Next week a portacath will be placed to administer the chemo. It will sit below the skin near your right shoulder with direct access to your heart via the subclavian vein. Chemo will begin the following week. It is January 24th, 2014. Nearly one month since my original admission to the hospital.

The journey begins...