I’ve wanted to do a blog for months! I have so much to say! Selfishly, I was thinking it would be a great way to get worries off my chest and I didn’t even really want people to read it but maybe it would be a therapeutic option to release stress? There are so many other topics to discuss that are fun and exciting like my beloved family and my most amazing career. Who doesn’t like a good real estate update or story? November 16, 2019 amped up my desire to get this going.
Short story
I have a large mass on my spleen. Doctors are most certain it is cancer. Biopsy has been scheduled for Monday, November 25th at UW Hospital and Clinics by their skilled radiologists. We may not hear the results until the following Monday with the Thanksgiving holiday this week. Once we know exactly what is growing inside me we will take swift action to kill this mo fo.
Long story
I’ve had symptoms for months including at various times, vomiting, GI issues, fevers, low appetite, weight loss, fatigue and bloating. We started with my routine colonoscopy and tacked on a scope down my throat to check out my stomach and all that stuff. Besides a pre-cancer polyp and diverticulosis in my colon all biopsies and findings looked normal. My DR suggested it must be anxiety. I started meds and hooked up with a therapist. WOW! That has been helpful and eye opening. Summer went along fairly well as the symptoms happened less and less. Around September though, I noticed more GI issues. Those issues eventually brought me to urgent care last week and I certainly did not have a large mass on my spleen on my radar.
After the CT scan at Meriter, I was admitted so I could get the biopsy. We needed to wait until Monday for approval from the head radiologist. He ultimately said no, we needed to go to UW Hospital for this procedure. I’ve been told it’s a very vascular organ so there could be bleeding complications. They felt more secure with the experts at UW. I was put on a list to be transported on Monday night. We waited and waited as the hospital was full. They decided to discharge me Wednesday afternoon and schedule the biopsy as outpatient. It’s scheduled for Monday!
What we know: The mass is huge and is squishing my guts. It’s almost certainly cancer, We won’t know anything until they study the sample. That will dictate the treatment and removal. This is very rare. Luella said it’s common in dogs! LOL. I’ve been wondering why I have a desire for chasing squirrels! ha! Cancer in the spleen usually starts from somewhere else. They have scanned my chest to my pelvis and the only disease they found was the spleen. No lymph nodes or anything so that is really awesome news. They believe it started in the spleen. It’s a slow growing tumor. It’s probably been growing for a year, maybe more? I’m not looking back. Only looking forward. We don’t know a whole lot right now. All answers are in the answer to this question. What is it?
I’m so thankful for the answers we have so far. I’m thankful for my loving husband and beautiful daughter Willow. What would I do without you? Tom has held down the fort beautifully from taking care of our girl to tackling the laundry and so much more. I’m so thankful for my MOM! Don’t worry, I’M OK! I’m thankful for my beautiful family and friends that have dropped everything to be with me and support me. I’m thankful for Melanie who has gone into beast mode adding to my wardrobe with beautiful pajamas, lots of other comfy clothes and coming to my house to put up Christmas (the tree and a ton of bins)! I’m thankful for all the texts and calls. I’m thankful for all the well wishes and offers to help. I’m thankful for all the doctors and nurses I’ve met so far for their care. I’m thankful for all of the medical advancements that have been made in my lifetime. I’m thankful you don’t need a spleen to live. I’m guessing that will help at some point, right? LOL!! I’m most thankful for my faith that I have in God. I’m thankful that God gives me the strength to face this challenge head on and that is just what I plan to do.
Keep the Faith 
Just reading this now and my heart went in my throat when you said “not so good news”. If I can say anything at all, it is that you are with THE MOST skilled medical professionals blessed to be on the planet. You are in GOOD hands and I will be praying for the best news possible. If it indeed IS “it”, kick the big “C” to the curb once and for all. You have lots of plans ahead of you. Hugs to you and your family, Cathy!!!
LikeLike
Cathy I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep the positive attitude – it really works. Love ya girlfriend. Please let me know if I can be of any help.
LikeLike
Cathy, your humor and positivity are shining right through this blog. We will all wait for the update and take it from there, but you can go just fine without that crummy spleen. You have a fantastic family and I’m glad they surround you. I’m sending strong hugs to surround you too.
LikeLike
Love u Cathy, stay strong!
LikeLike
Cathy, I am thinking about you and sending you huge hugs and love!! I remember your beautiful smile and warm personality! Keep staying positive and keep that beautiful smile!!❤
LikeLike
I am rooting for you and your family. Love and hugs and cancer-kicking vibes coming your way.
LikeLike
Cathy, you are stronger than you know. A positive, upbeat attitude and your faith will get you through this. Along with family and friends that love you and will prayer for you daily.
LikeLike
You will be healed by his blood! Amen! God is a healer and a provider. I ask he keeps his hands on the doctors and specialists attending your care! I will send a couple words up for you and if you need anything within my scope, please let me know love!!💜💜💜💜😚😘😍
LikeLike
Your positive attitude, as always, shines through you. I’ll be praying for the best possible outcome. Who needs a spleen? Call if there is anything at all I can do. Duluth is only 4 hours away. Love ya girl!!
LikeLike
Love your great sense of humor. I’ll continue to hope it’s just a totally obnoxious benign tumor until you get those results back. I’d prefer that it just be an obnoxious cyst, but they can usually tell the difference between a tumor and a cyst with what you’ve had done this far, so again, I’ll hope it’s the least of any inconvenient evil.
LikeLike
My beautiful life long friend… know I am praying for you…for positive news, for strength, and for your team of doctors to help you in the nest way possible. Love you!
LikeLike
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear this. You sound so upbeat though it’s inspiring. My thoughts are with you, Tom and Willow. Keep your eye on the prize (that’s what my sister kept saying as she went through breast cancer). You have a lot of people sending you good, healing energy.
LikeLike
you are amazing!
LikeLike
Cathy I’m sorry you have to deal with this but love your positive attitude ❤️. Sending good cancer-kicking juju your way – love you!
LikeLike
Cathy,
I will you, Willow and Tom in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️
LikeLike
Fuck cancer. Love you to the moon babe.
LikeLike
As I read this, so many thoughts went through my head. Two of the main thoughts are: WOW! WTH- you got this girl! And the second thought was actually a memory of when we were younger. It was after Grandpa passed away and we had went in your room (if I remember correctly) during the family get together. What I remember about that time is how we cried but then you turned it around by bringing up memories of grandpa. I remember thinking how amazing you are and how strong you are! Reading your story and ending it with what you are thankful for reminded me of that day. We are all here for you Cathy, Tom and Willow. Just know we may not be physically at all times, but we at there in spirit. Prayers, hugs, and healing thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I read this, so many thoughts went through my head. Two of the main thoughts are: WOW! WTH- you got this girl! And the second thought was actually a memory of when we were younger. It was after Grandpa passed away and we had went in your room (if I remember correctly) during the family get together. What I remember about that time is how we cried but then you turned it around by bringing up memories of grandpa. I remember thinking how amazing you are and how strong you are! Reading your story and ending it with what you are thankful for reminded me of that day. We are all here for you Cathy, Tom and Willow. Just know we may not be physically at all times, but we at there in spirit. Prayers, hugs, and healing thoughts!
LikeLike
Oh Cathy!!! Prayers for God’s healing hands to surround you!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. So glad you have such a wonderful husband and daughter as well as a very close supportive family to help you beat this if it does turn out to be that nasty disease. Love to you all!!
LikeLike
Hi Cathy, Love the Blog idea.. didn’t like what I read & this news brought tears to my eyes. You absolutely know the onslaught of profanity spuing from my mouth . Hope you smile at my excellent command of my cursing abilities. I’m sending you, Tom & Willow much healing Love & Energy. You are now a Warrior Goddess.. please let me know what I can do .. in any way .. to help. Shine on you Diamond!!
LikeLike
Sweet Cathy, I love you dearly and I am here for you in any way you or your family need. Until I see you, I am sending the biggest hugs your way.
LikeLike
Cathy, you are a warrior and I have faith in your badassness to kick whatever this is ‘outta here’ and out of your life! . Thank you for your faith in us to share your journey. Love you and sending healing thoughts and hugs xoxo💖🧡
LikeLike
Cathy,
Love, Wisdom, Courage are all within your Soul! It is a battle that you WILL WIN!! I have Faith in you and all that you are! Much Love to you and your Family!!
LikeLike
Cathy- So sorry to hear this news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May God grant you strength and courage through this journey. Praying for complete healing.
LikeLike
Your in our thoughts and prayers. Hang in there.
LikeLike