My Story!

Hi, my name is Kristin. I recently went to my family practitioner for pregnancy problems...in the last 8 months I have been pregnant 3 times and unfortunately lost each one before the 2nd trimester...this last time I knew things weren't right...I took a home preg. test and again my results weren't good since I was dealing with sooo much pain and my instincts were telling me something just wasn't right! I spent 2 hrs one dreadfull day hemoraging (waiting on my fiance' to get home from work) and imediately went to the doctor. That's when I discovered the brittle truth that I had already miscarried the fetus and a week later I was still having major problems! I decided to go back and they did a lot of test's on me! Unfortunately I live in a small town and had to wait for the results....a few days later I went back in to see my dr(don't have a home phone) and when I did he immediately sent me over to the hospital for further testing..I had a ultrasound and a CT done! Several blood test's were done as well! The following day I found out that I have Granulosa Theca Cell Ovarian Cancer stage3 and cervical cancer stage 3 as well!! I have no insurance and unemployed as well...I am a diabetic(insulin dependant) have been since a child! I was in shock!! For the first week I sware I just layed in bed and cried feelin sorry for myself! Pushing everyone that loves me away! Fearing for my life! I will soon be 29 this month! I have 2 gorgeous girls! I never use to worry about getting pregnant before because I have always suffered with endeometriosis wich always made it very difficult to become pregnant! So, I knew that with all this going on with these pregnancies...that something was changing in my body...still doesn't quite make since...but that's the cards I was dealt I suppose. My doctor has recommended a radical hysterectomy...I have already started the chemo! I have my bad days and my really bad days! My doctor chosen to go ahead with the strong one dose of chemo...and it's been 3 weeks since I started and my hair has began to slowly fall out(a little more every day) which I know will grow back but it is still very difficult to deal with...didn't realize how stuck I really am about my appearance! I have notified Cancer Treatment Centers of America and waiting on hearing back from them regarding my insurance...I am sooooo frightened!! My dr says that without the treatments I will be critical...
I just thought that I would share my news with you all as well...if you have any input on what kinds of feedback you have, what kinds of meds you have taken and how thy have affected you...and so forth I would greatly appreciate hearing from you! When I was reading the other post's I felt a connection automaticly due to this evil "cancer"! Feel free to respond in any matter you desire... look forward to hearing and talkin with you all!

I am so sorry to hear your story and can relate to it. I think it is normal to go through the initial shock, grief and feeling sorry for yourself stage. I still have some days like that although they do get fewer and fewer. It sounds like you have suffered many losses all at once. First, the loss of your expected baby, then the loss of your reproductive system and then the loss of health due to the cancer diagnosis. Seriously, I would recommend counseling and maybe think about something like an antidepressant. I have taken Zoloft, which I think has helped me tremendously and has virtually no side effects. I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago and they gave me nothing. I used to go around the house constantly crying. Healing occurs much better when your anxiety and pain level is under control.

I too live in a rural area and there are no gyn oncologists here. I believe firmly in seeing only one of them if you have a gyn cancer. If you have talked to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, believe me, they sounded a bit like a lot of "hype" to me at first, but they are as good as every word they say! They used "fractionated" chemo, which has far fewer side affects. They also do not adhere to the "cookie cutter" mentality of giving everyone taxol and a platinum, which causes the hair loss. They individualize your chemo to your unique needs. When I first had my total hysterectomy, I had a "borderline" cancer and so no chemo. The cancer has come back fast and furiously 10 years later! I had a very, very extensive surgery which left me with a large gaping wound in my belly. I thought it would never heal, but it did! In a way, it was a blessing, because while I had an open wound, I couldn't start with the "usual" chemo that the oncologists in my area were suggesting (taxol and carboplatinum) which are at the BOTTOM of my list of effective drugs against my particular cancer.

I will pray that you can get to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Dr. Williams is wonderful! She had breast cancer herself, is extremely knowledgeable and caring. I recommend them highly!

Write back when you can. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Remember, there is always, always hope and things will get better!

Warm regards,
Kathleen