Hi. My name is Cynde. I've been healthy and active all my life and I felt nothing could go wrong with me.... well, seriously anyway. I still held this view even when I noticed prolonged "spotting" after what I thought was a normal (for me) menses. Turns out, I was wrong. I've been diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocarcinoma. Basically, this is Uterine Cancer.

 

What Happened: I've always been sure to have annual pap smears and mammograms, insisted on them actually, despite the insurance company wanting to only pay for recommended preventative care exams. As you know, Pap smears used to be part of a woman's annual health exam, but then most insurance companies started only including them every 3 years. So in my mind, I thought I was doing the right thing by insisting on more frequent exams. Gotta keep a jump on these things, right? WRONG. What I was doing was good, but it wasn't enough.

 

Neither my insurance plan nor my general health provider had any preventative care plan in place to check the health and wellness of my Uterus! Listen ladies, (and men who care about the women in their lives) YOU have to insist on having your uterus and ovaries checked. It's not considered a part of any women's wellness health screening! And insurance does not consider it a necessary screening unless something is wrong. If I could preach anything, it is to go get yourselves checked. A simple blood test can be ordered to check for cancer of the ovaries and an ultrasound for the Uterus. It was via the ultrasound that they found my problem.

 

Once I had the ultrasound diagnosis, I was referred to an OBGYN to take a scraping (biopsy) of the uterus and a 2nd blood test was ordered, this time for hormone levels. A week later my test results came back. I had cancer of the uterus.

 

Treatment Plan: I will be consulting with my surgical doctor at Moffitt Cancer Hospital in Tampa at the end of December 2021. He will order additional tests, discuss a treatment plan, and set a date for surgery. I will have a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. He may decide to remove my ovaries as well.

 

What I Am Asking: I am asking for help with the costs that my insurance will not pay. The cancer hospital and treatment center, although one of the best, is not an in-network facility and the out-of-pocket cost for treatment will be high. Any donations given will be used to support my co-payments, deductibles, out of pocket expenses that my employer provided insurance will not pay. It will also be used to assist with fuel costs to drive to and from the cancer treatment and any necessary accommodations for myself, husband or mother. Any amount is appreciated. If you cannot or do not wish to assist monetarily, I ask that you pass this request along to your social network. Most importantly, I would love to hear about women who have seen this post and scheduled your Uterine screening! Please, comment and let me know if you have made an appointment!

 

Remaining Funds: If there is any amount that is not directly used after the treatments are complete, the donations will be passed along to one or more Go Fund Me Campaigns for Uterine or Ovarian Cancer.

 

About Me: I enjoy life. I see the Creator's world as a wonderful place to be enjoyed and shared. I marvel at all the beautiful natural places and try to enjoy them as much as possible. Luckily for me, I do live in an area that lends itself to kayaking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, and just general exploring. I think physical activity is important physically, mentally, and spiritually. It does weigh heavily on my mind that I may not be able to do some of these things during treatment. I really don't know what to expect right now.

 

I work full time in an Administrative position (paperwork person) for Gulf Coast Yacht Group. I plan to stay working as long as I am able. I also am a backyard beekeeper and bee rescuer. That means I go to people's homes and removes problem bee colonies from unwanted places. I do not charge for this service, as it is my way of giving back to the community and helping the bees. I have 5 active hives right now but in the spring and summer it always jumps up. I hope I am able to continue servicing my home hives.

 

 

My Support Group: My biggest supporters are my husband, Laurence, and my mother. They are riding this wave with me 100%. They are my rocks and my loves. My friends and family have all been so supportive. I am blessed. I also am blessed and supported by my animal friends that share our home... our 3 cats (Arya, Starke, and Sansa) our horse Tsali, and three bunnies.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my message. May the Creator bless you!