Stephanie Pantello Liver Cancer
Donation protected
On December 9th, while Jason was in Tokyo, I was called into my doctors office to discuss an abnormal ultrasound. Jason rebooked his flight and come home the very next day. Many pokes, prods, scans and waiting followed as fast as I could get appointments scheduled. A biopsy and tumor maker bloodwork confirmed that it was Hepatocellular Carcinoma. (HCC for short).
To say I was in shock, is an understatement. My family has never experienced cancer. It wasn't even on my radar. My mind automatically started spewing out the worst to me. I was scared.
Fast forward a few weeks and I walked into the downtown Dallas Baylor hospital and met my oncology team. I knew they were the doctors for me. They offered hope and most importantly, A PLAN which I was so desperately seeking. I was filled with hope and confidence in my doctors.
Dr. Wallberg called me just before Christmas and talked details to me over the phone for 35 minutes. I furiously wrote down everything I could. He did this so we could expedite the process and skip the initial consultation in his office. I was scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on December 30th for my first treatment.
I was then assured that I would be fine traveling for a short period to get see our family in Indiana and Charlotte. We were so blessed by the outpouring of love during those few days. The support system has been unreal. I am awed at peoples compassion and love for me.
The plan is to receive Inter Hepatic Chemo Infusion at least two months in a row. Meaning I will receive a stent in my groin that will run to the artery that feeds my liver. Chemo will run right to my liver over the period of 5 days that I am in the hospital. I have to lay on my back and not move my right leg at all. I can not stand up or even lie on my side. Pretty hard for a side sleeper. ;) We are hopeful that this will allow the chemo to be targeted right where it needs to be with minimal amounts running to the rest of my body. This will hopefully shrink the tumors.
The ultimate goal is to get a LIVING organ donor to give me half of their liver. With the hopefully successful shrinking of the tumors (one of which is roughly 6") and the donation of half a liver I have a "probable chance of being cured" according to my oncologist.
My hope and trust has and always will be in God. I know, for a fact, that he is carrying me in his almighty hands through all of this. Ask me two months ago if I could endure cancer and I would tell you NO WAY. Ever since I have reached out to my amazing support system and asked them to pray for me, I have had a peace that transcends all understanding. That's not to say I don't have my dark moments but he always pulls me out of them and lifts me up. I heard a still small voice at the very beginning of this journey in my life that said, "It IS cancer. You will be okay." I have never once questioned, "Why me?" I know this is part of His plan. It will be used to glorify Him.
Fast facts about this:
Don't google it. Okay? Okay. :)
2nd Stage Cancer.
No clear cut symptoms.
Was found through blood work. Liver enzymes were slightly elevated.
Need O- or O+ donor.
Your liver regnerates in roughly 2 weeks.
I'm raising funds to cover the medical costs that are ahead of us along with all the odds and ends that come with a cancer diagnosis that aren't covered by insurance. <3
To say I was in shock, is an understatement. My family has never experienced cancer. It wasn't even on my radar. My mind automatically started spewing out the worst to me. I was scared.
Fast forward a few weeks and I walked into the downtown Dallas Baylor hospital and met my oncology team. I knew they were the doctors for me. They offered hope and most importantly, A PLAN which I was so desperately seeking. I was filled with hope and confidence in my doctors.
Dr. Wallberg called me just before Christmas and talked details to me over the phone for 35 minutes. I furiously wrote down everything I could. He did this so we could expedite the process and skip the initial consultation in his office. I was scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on December 30th for my first treatment.
I was then assured that I would be fine traveling for a short period to get see our family in Indiana and Charlotte. We were so blessed by the outpouring of love during those few days. The support system has been unreal. I am awed at peoples compassion and love for me.
The plan is to receive Inter Hepatic Chemo Infusion at least two months in a row. Meaning I will receive a stent in my groin that will run to the artery that feeds my liver. Chemo will run right to my liver over the period of 5 days that I am in the hospital. I have to lay on my back and not move my right leg at all. I can not stand up or even lie on my side. Pretty hard for a side sleeper. ;) We are hopeful that this will allow the chemo to be targeted right where it needs to be with minimal amounts running to the rest of my body. This will hopefully shrink the tumors.
The ultimate goal is to get a LIVING organ donor to give me half of their liver. With the hopefully successful shrinking of the tumors (one of which is roughly 6") and the donation of half a liver I have a "probable chance of being cured" according to my oncologist.
My hope and trust has and always will be in God. I know, for a fact, that he is carrying me in his almighty hands through all of this. Ask me two months ago if I could endure cancer and I would tell you NO WAY. Ever since I have reached out to my amazing support system and asked them to pray for me, I have had a peace that transcends all understanding. That's not to say I don't have my dark moments but he always pulls me out of them and lifts me up. I heard a still small voice at the very beginning of this journey in my life that said, "It IS cancer. You will be okay." I have never once questioned, "Why me?" I know this is part of His plan. It will be used to glorify Him.
Fast facts about this:
Don't google it. Okay? Okay. :)
2nd Stage Cancer.
No clear cut symptoms.
Was found through blood work. Liver enzymes were slightly elevated.
Need O- or O+ donor.
Your liver regnerates in roughly 2 weeks.
I'm raising funds to cover the medical costs that are ahead of us along with all the odds and ends that come with a cancer diagnosis that aren't covered by insurance. <3
Organizer
Stephanie Pa
Organizer
Celina, TX