Adrianna Willis

More Chemo for Me My pathology results showed small areas of cancer in the tissue removed during surgery. My oncologist is recommending 2–3 more rounds of chemo, followed by maintenance treatment. I was optimistic that there was no active cancer left and was looking forward to getting my life back. I’m disappointed, but I know this is part of the journey. I have my follow-up appointment on November 3. Until then, I’ll continue trusting God, keeping my faith, and fighting. I still have so much life to live! “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

I came home last Friday, and I’m so grateful to be home! I’m really tired, but I’m getting around better than I expected. Right now, I’m focused on managing my pain, getting plenty of rest, and allowing my body to heal. I’m incredibly blessed that my surgery was successful. It was an extensive procedure that included a full hysterectomy, removal of my ovaries and fallopian tubes, and tumor debulking to remove as much cancer as possible. The biggest blessing is that there’s a possibility I may not have any active cancer left! I’ll know more in a few weeks. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer and initially being told surgery wasn’t an option, this means more than words can express. I’m taking recovery one day at a time and learning to be patient with myself. Thank you for your prayers and support.

First, I have to say thank you. Because of your support, we don’t have medical bills hanging over our heads as I head into surgery. Surgery is one week away, and I would be lying if I told you this surgery hasn’t been a lot mentally. I’m getting the last few things in place and trying to stay in good spirits. I’m going into this next step with faith and a positive spirit. The plan is to move forward with surgery, but if they get in and aren’t able to safely operate, then it’s back to chemo. For now, I’m taking it one step at a time and trusting the process. “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

This year has been WILD. People keep telling me, “You don’t look like you have cancer.” And I’m like… thank you? Because between the cute haircut, running my business, and still showing up, I definitely don’t look like everything my body has been going through. I’m so grateful for every donation, prayer, message, meal, and person who has shown me love. I feel like I’m finally in the last stretch of these crazy months. I’m ready to heal, recover, and get back to my life. Not my old life though. I want the new and improved version. I done been through too much for the upgrade not to come with benefits.

I know I have gone back and forth about this surgery. Truthfully, a lot of it has been fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the pain, and fear of having to depend on other people while I recover. The plan is to start laparoscopically, but they have already told me it could turn into a much bigger surgery once they see what is going on. That part scares me. At the same time, I know I need to get this behind me. I am taking a break from chemo right now to get ready for surgery, and I am starting to feel the pain and nausea again. That has been a little hard mentally because chemo was keeping so much of that under control. I was also able to be the survivor speaker at the MOCA HOM Teal Strides Walk, which meant a lot to me. I am still in the middle of my own fight, but if sharing my story helps another woman, I will keep doing it. Thank you for continuing to pray for me, check on me, donate, and just be there. I really do feel the love.

Sometimes this still feels like somebody else’s life. Wrapping my brain around having cancer is wild. Then I see posts about women with my diagnosis getting their wings, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t shake me. It makes it hard sometimes to imagine 10 years from now. I try to keep things light publicly, but behind closed doors, sometimes I just sit and cry. I thank God for prayer. Some days that’s what carries me. My surgery is October 12, and preparing for it is making everything feel even more real. I’m working on meals and recovery support now, even though asking for help is still hard for me. Give InKind: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/W4X7R3F/-adrianna-s-recovery-village I’m scared, hopeful, tired and grateful all at the same time. But I’m still trusting God.

My major debulking surgery for Stage 4 ovarian cancer is coming up in mid-October. I’ll be having my reproductive organs removed and as much of the remaining cancer as possible. I’m grateful to finally have surgery as an option, but I also know recovery is going to require me to slow ALL the way down. Right now, I’m working on getting meals prepared and frozen ahead of time. I’m also planning for groceries, restaurant meals and food delivery during the weeks when I won’t be able to cook, drive or do my normal routine. If you’ve donated, shared my GoFundMe, checked on me, prayed for me or supported me in any way, . Your support is helping me prepare not just for surgery, but for the recovery that comes after it. . . ❤️

# . . Yesterday, I completed my . My body is tired, but I’m grateful to have made it to this point. Today I received my white blood cell injection. It helps my body recover after chemo, but whew…the bone and body pain it causes can make it difficult for me to even walk comfortably. Now I’m shifting my energy toward preparing for major surgery and recovery. I’m trying to wrap my head around having my reproductive organs removed and debulking surgery to remove as much cancer as possible. There are practical things to figure out too. I won’t be able to drive for at least two weeks, I’m determining how much help I’ll need at home, and I’m considering a meal service so that food is one less thing to worry about. I’m also going to talk with my surgical team about my hospital stay and what recovery will realistically look like. . It’s transportation, meals, caregiving, recovery and learning to accept help. Thank you for every donation, prayer, share, message and act of kindness. . , .