Biography

I am a 41 year old woman, wife of 20 years & mother of two amazing teenagers. I had an emergency appendectomy 12/27/07 and received a phone call from surgeon 1/2/08 with the news…

I was informed that I had cancer…carcinoid tumor (goblet cell)that originated in my appendix. The cancer was not just confined to the tumor…it was found in the adipose tissue and was working its way around.

In February 2008, I had a right hemicolectomy (2 feet of large intestine removed)& 14 lymph nodes removed…all of which came back negative (thank the good Lord!).

I have been to many doctors & several oncologists…I finally found one in San Francisco that had actually treated a couple patients with this type of cancer. It is a rare cancer…

The debate was to treat with chemo or not? I have had just about every scan out there, along with countless blood draws. The final decision was to start “aggressive observation”...I have CT scans & bloodwork done every 3 months for the next two years. If at anytime there are any signs of the cancer being back we will proceed with chemo.

This whole cancer thing just seems surreal. I am just looking to connect with others that are going through similar issues. It is comforting to know that I am not in this fight alone. While my husband and children are a great support for me…they don’t fully understand the emotional aspect that goes along with cancer.

Cancer Symptoms

abdominal pain
fatigue

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

appendectomy 12/27/07
right hemicolectomy 2/08/08
lymph node removal 2/08/08