MUCH has happened since I last posted! So sorry for the delay! I’ve been working out the kinks in recovery, chemo plans, and awaiting first test results! It has been quite a process.
Surgery was 8/29. Discharged hospital on 9/4. We stayed in Connecticut until 9/13. Flew home to continue recovery here. I took off of work all of September, but of course I couldn’t completely stay away. 😉 Spent the majority of my time resting and walking. With the oppressive Florida heat at that time , much of this walking took place in the cool air conditioned Gardens Mall (where there were many walkers). Started back to work from home on 9/30. Wouldn’t you know it, October turned into my best month in history! I thought I would be slowing down at least a little, but I am speeding up! God is good!
The surgery was a complete success! All cancer was removed (CRS) and hot chemo treatment followed (HIPEC). Dr Turaga and team completed the following: remove my omentum, lower peritoneumectomy, remove ovary, Cervix, and Uterus, remove portion of sigmoid colon and complete a new anastomosis. Once I passed go, they then filled me with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This portion lasts about 1.5 hours. This 8 hour surgery was not without side effects. I have extreme nerve pain/neuropathy in the tops of my feet and ankles. I am tolerating it, upping my supplements, and praying the nerves will recover. Damaged nerves can take up to a year to recover, so it is possible! All things are possible! Pray for me!
I have decided not to do any cleanup chemo for a variety of reasons. It was a VERY difficult decision fraught with so many emotions and incomplete data to guide me. Feel free to ask me directly if you want the fine details about this or any portion of the journey! You know I am an open book! 🤓
What’s next?
- Scans every three months. First set was supposed to be the week of Thanksgiving. As you may have seen on one of my Facebook posts, insurance has been difficult to navigate. United healthcare would not approve my scans at the hospital or as my doctor had written them. After much ado, Ultimately, I had to get them done in the community. This is not in my opinion as good. I would prefer a radiologist reading my scans that looks at cancer all day, not a radiologist who more likely looks at broken hips and knees and so on.
- Blood work in the off time. This will consist of the CEA which is a tumor marker used for colon cancer. My numbers have been commensurate with my journey throughout. It will also consist of the Signatera test, this is the circulating tumor DNA test that looks for my cancer DNA in my blood. It’s what saved my life by alerting us of this last reoccurance. In my estimation this is the most important test.
What are my results??
I thought you’d never ask!!
My CEA is 1.06! Lowest ever and well within normal range of <3.0 !
Drumroll! Signatera is NEGATIVE!! This means I am NED (no evidence of disease that we have the ability to test for). My CT scans were finally completed last week. The results are not 100% clear, but overall good. No areas of new cancer visualized but a spot on my liver they could not confirm. At the same time also did not think was cancer. This outside imaging center did not have my library of previous scans to compare to. I am hopeful it turns out to be scar tissue related to the one liver tumor which was ablated in 2/22. There was one that could not be resected and my liver has looked fabulous ever since! 🙏🏻 I have had discs burned and will be having my surgeon at Yale and my medical oncologist, Dr Brandt, in Jupiter both review and compare. Stay tuned!
All any of us can do is live in this moment! I am Currently CANCER FREE!! Time to Celebrate and get to living! 🥰 🥰🥰
I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year. I am so blessed to be able to celebrate another birthday! Birthdays are truly a blessing! 🎉🎂💕🎁🎉
Get your Colonoscopy already! What are you waiting for!
Love this incredibly positive (I mean negative news). Love 💕 you!!
Oh my goodness what amazing wonderful!!! And to celebrate on your birthday🎉🥰🥰🥰 I’m so happy , honored, and proud of what a strong resilient woman you are❤️❤️❤️ Sending love and prayers for continued success🎉🎉🎉🎉
Very Happy for you and your family must be over the moon 🌖. Happy New Years and thanks for the updates!! 🤗
Thanks for the update and so thankful you are celebrating your birthday! Best wishes and many prayers for good health in 2025! Love 💕
💙💙💙💙 Happy Birthday, Angela! 💙💙💙💙
Takes my breath away! You are so strong and positive. You will continue to be in my prayers!🙏 This is a fantastic update. Happy Birthday…enjoy every moment!!
Fantastic news! God is good! Happy New Year!
You are amazing Angela. Your knowledge and positive attitude along with prayers have been miraculous! This is wonderful news. I’m praying for continued good health and negative (cancer) results!
Angela, I am so happy this is amazing news!!!!! I was just thinking of you today and wondering how everything was going. I have something that will help you now with your neuropathy. I have had permanent neuropathy since 2015. After waking up paralyzed I was left with the joy of the burning knife pain and tingling . I can’t even wear pants now unless they are loose. So after years of pills I went to Oregon and did a month of research on cannabis with cbd and thc medicinal and I tried all kinds and ended up finding what took the pain away and I was able to enjoy life and walk and then run which I hadn’t been able to do for years . The pain stopped my life. So after all of my trials I found the 3:1 combination of a hybrid catatonic and Medihaze I take oil under my tongue once a day. It’s been a life changer. Before that I was prescribed neurontin from neurology and it messed up my short term memory permanently and I gained 32 lbs after 6 weeks my doc took me off of it. So if you any questions please feel free to reach out. I am so happy for you xoxoxo yeah!!!!
Best news EVER! We expected nothing less from you! To an amazing 2025! 🎉❤️
This is amazing! What a birthday/ Christmas present. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are a strong woman! Hugs to you❣️
What a wonderful Xmas gift! Continuing to think and pray for an uneventful 2025. Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Congratulations
Great news
BEST NEWS EVER !
💪💪💪💪💪❤️
I read with compassion all that you have been through, I read between the lines how brave you have been, how your choices and faith have been examples for us all. Congratulations, prayers and love sent to you! 💝🦋💐🙏🏻💥🎊🙌🏼
Great news!! Prayers for a 2025 that is smooth sailing!!
The best news ever!!! This makes me so happy!!! Kevin and I had a tough year losing my mom and our family doggy!! I have been so sad!!! This makes me so happy!!! We will continue to pray for you Angela!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sounds like a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Angela!!!!!!
You GO, GIRL!
Bruce
Im so happy to hear these great results. You are a trooper. God be with you and keep you strong
🙏🙏🙏. Cindy
Ang-
Woohoo!!! Doin a happy dance!!! ( mind you I’m not much of a dancer but ….. seems right under the circumstances) – Happy Birthday Ang!!!!! Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to you and your family!!! Much love, many prayers and big hugs!!!
Michele