- J
My name is Kellie Abel, some people know me as ‘Birdie’. I was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Again. It even seems weird and wrong to be putting these words down, to see them in front of me is baffling. I thought it was over. I thought I was done with it.
To have a recurrence 22 years after I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer is not easy to wrap my head around.
Initially, in 2000 when I got my first diagnosis I was 35 years old. The proverbial table cloth was ripped out from under my life. One day I was fine, the next day I was preparing for major abdominal surgery including a full hysterectomy, appendectomy, removal of my abdominal wall, and a colon reconstruction.
After somewhat healing from that operation, I had 6 rounds of chemotherapy, coupled with more complications, losing weight, all of my hair, and feeling horrible for many months. I did start to slowly feel better, a feeling I was so far away from by then, that every little thing was a gift.
After only 9 months, doctors found two tumors on the lining of my heart. After surgical removal, I underwent six more rounds of chemotherapy. I was sick for almost 4 years.
I slowly recovered and, at age 39, I decided to REALLY live my life like I always dreamed…I wanted to go do all the things that I had previously talked myself out of doing because I wasn't this or that enough. I recognized that I couldn’t let my fears or perceived limitations keep me from pushing myself. My fight with cancer empowered me, it made me brave and I didn’t want to hold myself back any longer.
Fast forward to last winter, while feeling strong and healthy, I got a blood test that indicated cancer. I couldn’t imagine going through all of this again. I was terrified of being destroyed by chemo. I had sworn that I would never do it again.
A CAT scan revealed a mass in my spleen. I was then scheduled to have my spleen removed and to immediately get back on the chemo train. When the surgery was performed, the bad news turned worse when they found little tumors on the outside of all my organs from my esophagus to my bladder. It was then decided to hold off on removing my spleen until we reduced the tumors with aggressive chemotherapy.
The intent of these treatments is complete recovery, as in “cured”. As in, not having to face another recurrence in the future. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be motivated to face this huge challenge. What I am looking at now is this: I have already started 3 rounds of chemotherapy before I will undergo a “debulking” surgery which will involve removing my spleen, and all of the little tumors on my abdominal organs. In the same surgery, I will have what is called HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). My abdomen will be pumped full of a hot chemo bath that will circulate there for up to 120 minutes, hopefully killing the remaining cancer cells. The whole surgery is expected to take up to 12 hours. I will have to stay in the hospital for 7 to 10 days after the surgery. Once I return home, there will be another 3 rounds of chemotherapy and that will wrap things up! The recovery from this surgery is said to be long and strenuous. I’m going forward knowing the upcoming months are going to test me physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’ve decided to do all I can to enjoy another 22 years.
I have not been able to work since March and will continue to be unable to work for many more months. Contributions help me to eat, get back and forth to Durango for my treatments, pay my bills, and cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. It is hard for me to ask for help…but I am.
Thank you deeply for any contribution you can make to help support my recovery. It’s a long road, and every little bit helps. I couldn’t be doing this without the support of my community. I’m so lucky to have you all.
To have a recurrence 22 years after I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer is not easy to wrap my head around.
Initially, in 2000 when I got my first diagnosis I was 35 years old. The proverbial table cloth was ripped out from under my life. One day I was fine, the next day I was preparing for major abdominal surgery including a full hysterectomy, appendectomy, removal of my abdominal wall, and a colon reconstruction.
After somewhat healing from that operation, I had 6 rounds of chemotherapy, coupled with more complications, losing weight, all of my hair, and feeling horrible for many months. I did start to slowly feel better, a feeling I was so far away from by then, that every little thing was a gift.
After only 9 months, doctors found two tumors on the lining of my heart. After surgical removal, I underwent six more rounds of chemotherapy. I was sick for almost 4 years.
I slowly recovered and, at age 39, I decided to REALLY live my life like I always dreamed…I wanted to go do all the things that I had previously talked myself out of doing because I wasn't this or that enough. I recognized that I couldn’t let my fears or perceived limitations keep me from pushing myself. My fight with cancer empowered me, it made me brave and I didn’t want to hold myself back any longer.
Fast forward to last winter, while feeling strong and healthy, I got a blood test that indicated cancer. I couldn’t imagine going through all of this again. I was terrified of being destroyed by chemo. I had sworn that I would never do it again.
A CAT scan revealed a mass in my spleen. I was then scheduled to have my spleen removed and to immediately get back on the chemo train. When the surgery was performed, the bad news turned worse when they found little tumors on the outside of all my organs from my esophagus to my bladder. It was then decided to hold off on removing my spleen until we reduced the tumors with aggressive chemotherapy.
The intent of these treatments is complete recovery, as in “cured”. As in, not having to face another recurrence in the future. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be motivated to face this huge challenge. What I am looking at now is this: I have already started 3 rounds of chemotherapy before I will undergo a “debulking” surgery which will involve removing my spleen, and all of the little tumors on my abdominal organs. In the same surgery, I will have what is called HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). My abdomen will be pumped full of a hot chemo bath that will circulate there for up to 120 minutes, hopefully killing the remaining cancer cells. The whole surgery is expected to take up to 12 hours. I will have to stay in the hospital for 7 to 10 days after the surgery. Once I return home, there will be another 3 rounds of chemotherapy and that will wrap things up! The recovery from this surgery is said to be long and strenuous. I’m going forward knowing the upcoming months are going to test me physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’ve decided to do all I can to enjoy another 22 years.
I have not been able to work since March and will continue to be unable to work for many more months. Contributions help me to eat, get back and forth to Durango for my treatments, pay my bills, and cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. It is hard for me to ask for help…but I am.
Thank you deeply for any contribution you can make to help support my recovery. It’s a long road, and every little bit helps. I couldn’t be doing this without the support of my community. I’m so lucky to have you all.