Katie's Cervical Cancer
Donation protected
My name is Katie
About four weeks ago I went to my doctor for a routine PAP smear and check up. When my results came back I was told that the pap came back as abnormal and that they would like to do a biopsy of my cervical tissue. I went to that appointment and at that time my doctor said there really should be no reason for concern given my age and that I appeared to be healthy. Unfortunately he was wrong. My samples came back as adenosquameous cell carcinoma. So not only was I told that I was positive for cancer, but it is a type that only about 2% of women with cervical cancer get so there have been little studies on its behavior. My gynecologist referred me to an oncologist that day.
I was very lucky to be able to be seen the next week by an oncologist at a local hospital. He went over different scenarios for treatment with me, depending on the size of the lesion, before doing a physical exam. Options for treatment included, different types of hysterectomies, chemo/radiation, or combinations of them. Once he competed his physical exam he explained to me that he could see the lesion on my cervix grossly (without the aid of a microscope). It was still within the range for him to suggest a radical hysterectomy. At the end of my visit with him I was glad to know there was a game plan ahead, but he said surgery would be weeks away do to the nature of a busy hospitals surgery schedule. If he had not been able to see the lesion there would have been more biopsies to try and decide what size the tumor(s) were. I am lucky that I was not someone who had to continue with the uncomfortable biopsies just to decide what the next course in the treatment plan was going to be. Even knowing that I was to have surgery there was no guarantee that they would go though with the whole surgery. Once I was on the table the lymph nodes closest to the cervix were to be removed and sent to pathology. If there was any sign of cancer in them, then I was to be closed up and when I was awake they would start other courses of treatment.
I informed by boss' the next day of my situation and that we were sadly playing everything by ear. I was in shock to say the least when the hospital called two days after seeing the oncologist to schedule my surgery for the next week. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. The only thing exciting was that we no longer had to play the waiting game to get the surgery scheduled. I was walking on egg shells all week with my emotions. Trying to stay positive was the hardest part! I have great friends, family , and co-workers who have been nothing but supportive through this crazy time. I wouldn't have made it through without them. I have to mention that crying is ok, it doesn't mean that you're being negative. Crying was necessary for me.
The down fall to all of this is my six week recovery! I work as a veterinary technician and I will not be able to lift anything over five pounds for six weeks, possibly more! Working in the veterinary field being able to lift fifty pounds is a must. This is not only a problem and delays me going back to work, but have have two young boys at home as well to contend with.
I am am looking to raise money to help support my family while I am unable to work and help to cover the expenses of this unexpected surgery. Hopefully, the surgery will be curative and I am very lucky to have had the chance to have children before my diagnosis was made. I unfortunately have no short term disability so while I am missing work I have no income coming in to help with any of the bills. Any donation amount would be appreciated so much. I am very thankful for my family, friends, and place of employment for the support.
I had my surgery on Tuesday, November 3 and am trying to recover so that I can come back stronger and better for my two boys and my entire family. I am still waiting to hear back on the rest of the pathology results from my surgery but I am feeling hopeful that there will be no further treatment needed. Any help during this time would be so wonderful until I am physically allowed to return to work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
About four weeks ago I went to my doctor for a routine PAP smear and check up. When my results came back I was told that the pap came back as abnormal and that they would like to do a biopsy of my cervical tissue. I went to that appointment and at that time my doctor said there really should be no reason for concern given my age and that I appeared to be healthy. Unfortunately he was wrong. My samples came back as adenosquameous cell carcinoma. So not only was I told that I was positive for cancer, but it is a type that only about 2% of women with cervical cancer get so there have been little studies on its behavior. My gynecologist referred me to an oncologist that day.
I was very lucky to be able to be seen the next week by an oncologist at a local hospital. He went over different scenarios for treatment with me, depending on the size of the lesion, before doing a physical exam. Options for treatment included, different types of hysterectomies, chemo/radiation, or combinations of them. Once he competed his physical exam he explained to me that he could see the lesion on my cervix grossly (without the aid of a microscope). It was still within the range for him to suggest a radical hysterectomy. At the end of my visit with him I was glad to know there was a game plan ahead, but he said surgery would be weeks away do to the nature of a busy hospitals surgery schedule. If he had not been able to see the lesion there would have been more biopsies to try and decide what size the tumor(s) were. I am lucky that I was not someone who had to continue with the uncomfortable biopsies just to decide what the next course in the treatment plan was going to be. Even knowing that I was to have surgery there was no guarantee that they would go though with the whole surgery. Once I was on the table the lymph nodes closest to the cervix were to be removed and sent to pathology. If there was any sign of cancer in them, then I was to be closed up and when I was awake they would start other courses of treatment.
I informed by boss' the next day of my situation and that we were sadly playing everything by ear. I was in shock to say the least when the hospital called two days after seeing the oncologist to schedule my surgery for the next week. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. The only thing exciting was that we no longer had to play the waiting game to get the surgery scheduled. I was walking on egg shells all week with my emotions. Trying to stay positive was the hardest part! I have great friends, family , and co-workers who have been nothing but supportive through this crazy time. I wouldn't have made it through without them. I have to mention that crying is ok, it doesn't mean that you're being negative. Crying was necessary for me.
The down fall to all of this is my six week recovery! I work as a veterinary technician and I will not be able to lift anything over five pounds for six weeks, possibly more! Working in the veterinary field being able to lift fifty pounds is a must. This is not only a problem and delays me going back to work, but have have two young boys at home as well to contend with.
I am am looking to raise money to help support my family while I am unable to work and help to cover the expenses of this unexpected surgery. Hopefully, the surgery will be curative and I am very lucky to have had the chance to have children before my diagnosis was made. I unfortunately have no short term disability so while I am missing work I have no income coming in to help with any of the bills. Any donation amount would be appreciated so much. I am very thankful for my family, friends, and place of employment for the support.
I had my surgery on Tuesday, November 3 and am trying to recover so that I can come back stronger and better for my two boys and my entire family. I am still waiting to hear back on the rest of the pathology results from my surgery but I am feeling hopeful that there will be no further treatment needed. Any help during this time would be so wonderful until I am physically allowed to return to work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Organizer
Katie Leach Bradley
Organizer
Raleigh, NC