Life Interrupted: Loida’s Fight w/ Ovarian Cancer

Life Interrupted

Today I’m asking for prayers, healing thoughts and financial support for my sister, Loida Bustamante. On March 14th Loida was diagnosed with Critical Stage 1 IC - IC2. The 20 lb. tumor that was pulled out of her left ovary came back with cancerous cells. At this time she will be going through 4 months of chemotherapy as a precautionary measure of any additional cancer cells left in her body.

This is going to be a rough road for my sister who is head of household but maybe we can alleviate some of the financial burden from her so she can concentrate on fighting.

Series of Events:

On Saturday, March 2nd, Loida was taken to the ER with lots of abdominal pain. After extensive tests were conducted, a huge mass on her ovary was found—along with lots of fluid in her stomach. At that time doctors were unable to determine which ovary the mass was attached to, because the mass was as big as a cantaloupe (we later found out the tumor was actually bigger than a cantaloupe, the doctor said when he pulled it out it was more the size of a small watermelon).

March 4th 2018:

4.2 liters of fluid was removed from Loida’s stomach. She said the fluid looked like green slime. The gynecologist oncologist sent the fluid out for Biopsy.

March 6th 2018:

The results came back and showed no cancer cells in the fluid. This answer was a big relief. As for the mass that was on her left ovary, the gynecology oncologist had stated it was too soon to diagnose the tumor as cancerous, but we needed to be prepared for what he may see when he opened her up to remove the tumor.

November 2018:

The first time she really started complaining and the mass had started to affect her was Thanksgiving. We usually spend Thanksgiving together—whether at her place or mine. Last year was the first year that we were not able to visit each another, because she was having lots of “stomach” problems. Christmas we visited briefly to exchange gifts but her “stomach” problems still persisted. She believed the problems were indigestion so much so that she went on a rigorous diet of eliminating all crappy food! She was eating everything she needed to in order for her indigestion to go away, but it was still there—and the pain was getting worse. In January and February, she had multiple doctor visits to help her with the stomach pain. All doctor visits failed to diagnose or see the mass growing inside her. The only issue found was that she is anemic.

The pain was so debilitating that she had to miss multiple days of work and it eventually led to her being fired from her job. 

Loida has always been a tough cookie, but these last few weeks have been a real struggle for literal survival. If you can find it in your hearts to donate towards any medical and household expenses, please do. We will be eternally grateful. 

Most of you may know that Loida was born and raised in Los Banos, California. She has many friends in LB and I know your words of encouragement will be well received. I will read all of them to her during the chemo sessions and when she is having a bad day. 

Side Note:

At this time she is not allowed to have flowers because her immune system is weak. Loida has always been tough, but right now she is an oncology patient with lots of pain and a weakened immune system. Visitations are limited while she under goes chemo.