Carla Campos Cancer Support

In January of 2019, my beloved wife Carla went to the Urgent Care to seek answers to discomfort on her upper side of her abdomen. They schedule to perform an ultrasound which found small cysts on her ovaries in the Month of February. So, it was recommended to see a gynecologist to have a better diagnosis of the situation by around March 2019. We planned immediately to see our gynecologist, which then recommended to have a vaginal ultrasound to better see the cysts and give her a better understanding. Following the results of the vaginal ultrasound, it was determined to remove the cysts on the ovaries out by April 2019.  Carla prepared for non-invasive outpatient surgery in which the ovaries were to be removed by decision of the surgeon. After surgery, the gynecologist did express, they were necrotic lesions on the ovaries and needed to send them for further biopsy test. Biopsy test were performed by the Southern Hill Hospital and the Mayo Clinic for further testing too.

Carla’s gynecologist called on Friday to tell us that she needed to see us immediately on Monday morning after receiving the results of the biopsy. We spent the entire weekend wondering in so many directions what was the news we were to receive. We received the news which confirmed Carla had cancer, it was hard and difficult to comprehend. It was found Adenocarcinoma, favor of metastatic adenocarcinoma to the left ovary. Possible primary sites include gastrointestinal tract and pancreaticobiliary tract. The doctor recommended the best gastric cancer oncologist to deal with the illness, she mentions we need to be very aggressive in behalf of Carla’s health. Additional our gynecologist order contrast CT scan of the affected areas.

I recall walking to the car; no words were shared until 2 to 3 lights down the road. I did not have words to share with me sweetheart at that moment. But interesting we found strength in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; we found hope and a way to move forward. Not knowing the specific area were the cancer metastases, we were recommended by the oncologist to see a gastrointestinal specialist to do a study in her stomach by endoscopy and perform a biopsy, this process took an entire month just to evolve due to the high traffic of patient needing such medical review.

After 30 day wait Carla finally had an endoscopy and obtain a biopsy, the gastrointestinal specialist confirm Carla had a tumor in her stomach, he express the size was big and that the option to have surgery was impossible at the moment. He recommended aggressive chemo to reduce the size of the tumor.

Having that diagnostic, the oncologist proceeded to give Carla aggressive chemo-therapy for 3 straight days starting always on Tuesday morning sitting on the chair for 3 hours and leaving home with an electronic pump until Thursday, and start a new chemo-therapy medication again, giving her one week in between to rest and recover. Chemo started June, total amount of aggressive chemo was (12), with (2) as intermediate to start the process. During that time Carla did perform beyond what the oncologist expected. We were happy and with prospect to have an extended long life. Stage 4 cancer only has a survival rate of less than 4%, so quality of life was the main task from there on. During this time, we went to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona to get a second opinion, Carla was given the very small odd of survival. It was not good news. With all these and others points we have learned as members of the Church of Jesus Christ to have more faith in Jesus Christ. To exercise beyond what we ever have done in having more hope, to be optimistic and full of positive view to life. Very hard to do in many instances of our lives.  A PET scan during November 2019 showed the tumor was reduce in a significant manner, after 6 months on aggressive chemo, we were seeing positive outcome on this journey.

Carla was put then on oral chemotherapy medication for the next 3 months by around Jan 2020. Hoping to keep the cancer at bay. March 2020, we had a new PET Scan done, showing the cancer had come back and spread and metastases on the T5 vertebra on the spine. Carla did end going to the emergency room due to backpain. There a CT scan with contrast did verify the cancer had spread to other areas. Our oncologist started chemo again with different chemotherapy medication and with the onset to have Immunotherapy. She has been going to chemotherapy for the past 2 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have seen my dear wife not do well with the chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Within the process we decided to coordinate funeral cost, contact family and many other special needs.

In the process we have decided to try alternative options as infusion of vitamin C, and with a new oncologist, he will treat the T5 vertebra with targeted radiation. He expresses that it is critical to avoid paralysis on Carla’s back. It seems odd to change oncologist, but we felt strongly to change, our new oncologist is open to many other options which give my dear Carla an opportunity to life. He will follow every option and discuss with us if there are any changes to her benefit.

We do have health insurance, we have depleted all our savings to cover much of the deductibles for medical services, and the new radiation is not covered completely due that it is out of network. This is the reason we request your help; it has been a battle for a full year now from May 2019.

We hope to many who will read this can helps us to see if these options can give my loving companion a little more time. She is mother of 3 boys, Carlos Adrian which is 10 years old, Alejandro which is 19, he has Asperger Autism, and our oldest 23, Sebastian who has return from his mission.

I am Rafael, Carla’s husband who have prepare this introduction on Go Fund Me, I am not a man of a lot of words, I do know of the charity and love of many who help in a Christ Like manner, and we will be ever grateful for your prayers and your help.

As a family we have a great outlook to tomorrow, I am a firm believer that the trials we go in life help us come closer to our Savior, to become like Him. At the beginning the trial seam challenging, difficult and with no clear explanation, but in time having faith in Christ, I have learned of His love and to joyfully accept His will. Much I have learned, but much all who journey with us too.

 

I hope this information is helpful and answers any questions you might have. Thank you for reading and for your consideration.