Angela’s Voyage 
While it seems like a lifetime has passed since we heard the words, ”You have cancer,” it’s actually only been a few weeks. Angela was living her best life. Spending time with the family she loves. Working at a job she enjoys. Blessedly, and now ironically, she is almost never sick. And when she doesn’t feel right, her nursing training kicks in and she gets it checked out. Which is what happened mere weeks ago, at the end of May, when she had some abdominal pain. Her gynecologist thought it might be an ovarian cyst, which is common and very treatable, so she ordered some tests. Relying on her instincts and health care training, Angela insisted on additional tests, including a blood test, called CEA, which is used to rule out certain types of cancer. Unfortunately, the test results came back with elevated levels of CEA, a marker for colon cancer…which is where this voyage begins. A battery of tests at Jupiter Medical Center — including CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and a PET scan — confirmed our worst fears: at age 51, Angela is fighting stage 4 colon cancer. The primary tumor is in the sigmoid region of her colon, and the cancer has spread to her liver. A second opinion and more tests at the world-renowned Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa on Monday, June 21 confirmed this diagnosis. With stage IV cancer, days matter so things are moving incredibly fast. Angela had a minor surgery to insert a port to more easily administer chemotherapy and other medicines and she received her first round of chemotherapy treatment on June 23. She is being treated at Jupiter Medical Center on an outpatient basis, with her treatment plan also being managed by the oncology team at Moffitt. Treatment Plan With many cancers, the first step in treatment is often resection, or removal, of the tumor(s). In this case, the tumors are too close to major blood supplies to remove so the first step will be to shrink them with chemotherapy. As of now, she will receive a cocktail of four chemotherapy drugs, called FOLFOXIRI, which is commonly used, and has proven effective, in treating colon and liver cancers. The chemo will be infused on at outpatient basis every 14 days, with additional drugs being infused at home. After two months of chemo every 14 days they will repeat the scans to check the tumor size and determine next steps. Unlike other voyages Angela has embarked on…to Greece..to Italy…etc….this voyage was not anticipated or planned. But, like every journey she takes…she will attack this one with guts and gusto So far, she is feeling pretty good. Some nausea. Some neuro side effects. Tired from all of it. But she is taking everything in stride and with a remarkably positive attitude. Wearing her “Fuck Cancer” hat and socks, and drinking from her “Cancer picked the wrong bitch” cup, she is armed and ready for the fight ahead. If you know Angela, you know she is smart and strong and is incredibly well loved. It is this strength and the love you surround her with will accompany her on this voyage and bring her safely to the other side.
Advice From Angela
The cancer specialist at Moffitt told Angela that if she had received her scheduled colonoscopy last year as planned, which was cancelled due to COVID, they likely would have removed precancerous polyps. Instead, she is facing stage IV cancer. So, if you know what’s good for you, listen to Angela. Put yourself and your health first! If you had to cancel preventative tests due to COVID, reschedule them NOW. Don’t wait. If you’re overdue for a prostate exam, turn your head and cough. If you need a colonoscopy, open wide. And if your mammogram is past due, show your tatas and get it done! Be your own best health care advocate. If you don’t feel right, listen to your body and get it checked out. If your intuition tells you something is wrong, press until you get the tests, and the answers, you need and deserve. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. As we age, our ailments are likely to increase. Be sure you have the coverage you and your family need to get the care you need.
How You Can Help
What Angela and her family need most right now is your love and prayers. Please start praying and keeping praying. Pray for strength for her. For them. Pray for healing. Pray for her to tolerate the chemo and have manageable side effects. Pray for the hands and the hearts of the nurses and doctors who are caring for her. Just pray. When someone you love is battling cancer, we all feel helpless and want to help. Ironically, asking “how can I help?” is actually not particularly helpful as Angela, Andy and their family are overwhelmed and may not even be able to think through what they need. If you want to help, be specific. Offer to do something tangible. Some ideas may be to call and tell them you want to order lunch or dinner and have it delivered to the hospital or home, wherever they may be that day. If you’re going to the grocery store or Target, call or text to see if they need you to pick up anything. Angela and Andy were in the middle of some house projects when she was diagnosed. If you’re handy around the house, offer to fix or finish something. If you’re good at organizing, ask if there is a closet or room that you can tackle. Chemotherapy impacts taste buds so Angela’s interest and ability to eat certain foods will change throughout her treatment, make cooking for them challenging. A meal train might be helpful in the future, but for now, gift cards to some of their favorite restaurants will enable them to get the food they can eat when they can eat it. Also, gas cards for traveling to and from Moffitt in Tampa would be helpful. What they need will evolve as this journey continues so check back here for more ideas on how you can help. Anything you want to send can be mailed or dropped off at: 9241 Cypress Hollow Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418.