Naomi Gallego

Dear Friends and Family,
          Following a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment last year in May of 2019, I felt I was really coming through the end of that chapter and really starting to feel good and ready to start working again and get back to life! January 2020 I was really coming into my stride and felt I was over the trauma of the breast cancer surgery and treatment. 
         
          Life had other plans for me. On January 25th, I woke to severe abdominal pain, pain strong enough to make me cry. I was doubled over and was SO SURE this was an appendicitis. I went to the ER around 5pm that evening and after many tests, it was discovered that I had a 9 centimeter tumor on my left ovary.It was definitely NOT an appendicitis. This cancer is most likely caused by the Lynch Syndrome I have. This was diagnosed during my breast cancer genetic testing. Lynch syndrome predisposes one to many other cancers and I inherited this gene abnormality from my father who died, having several of these cancers a few years ago. 
           
          I had a laparoscopic oophorectomy and hysterectomy performed on me the following morning Sunday, January 26th at Sibley Memorial Hospital. My gynecological OncologistDoctor Lin performed the surgery and announced that the cancer started in the uterus and metastasized to the ovaries. There were some lesions on the bladder they removed as well as some lymph nodes, but thankfully, no cancer was found there.  
 
           My Mom came out to see me through my surgery recovery and I have my treatment plan scheduled. I will have five weeks of radiation starting on Friday March 13th 2020, and six rounds of chemo. The first round of chemo will also begin on Friday March 13th .

    I will have many of my family members flying in to see me through each chemo treatment, which is such a blessing. I have not been working since November 2019.  

    After my last chemo in July, my parents picked me up and we drove up to stay with family in Michigan while I recovered.  Towards the end of the trip I started to be able to swim and walk without getting winded, my hair started growing back and my family cooked and cleaned for me and kept my spirits up!!! 

      I do have a plan to get back to work early in the new year. I am actually very excited about it and it feels good to look forward to something. that will be very rewarding. 

       I am physically very weak. I have been laying down for five months straight during treatment. I have lost my muscle and my stamina. I am in Texas with my parents, working with a trainer, walking and working on getting strong again. This time I have the privilege of taking is due to me liquidating my IRA to have money to live on, due to the generosity of friends and family  making this possible. 

     I know in this country a double cancer diagnosis could render anyone homeless in this country. I feel very lucky to have the support and love of my family, that provides me the chance to focus on my health before I get back to work. I am lucky to HAVE insurance in this time, lucky to have the care at a good hospital. I count my blessings daily. 

           Any financial support to go towards my medical bills, any emotional support, letters, cards, would be warmly received and greatly appreciated and help so much!
Love, Naomi