Dear friends and family,
Greetings, I hope you are healthy, content and happy while we enter the warmer months.
As you may all know, cancer is a lifelong journey, both the physical body, and the spirit are highly tested. I have some new updates for you.
Blessed 15+ Cancer Journey:
I can say that my cancer journey has been blessed by God. I have received love, kindness, prayers and support by many generous souls.
I have been collecting the the gift of newly gained knowledge of this disease, and learned lessons along the way to share with you. My entire Esthesioneuroblastoma cancer experience, has left me with a treasure chest of experiences that need to be told.
God’s strength, love, faith and a bit of humor have brought me through every single day for the last 15 years……that's about 5,475 days!! Through six diagnosis, surgeries, treatments and recovery periods my husband, family, friends and pets have been the pillars in my life. For all of this, I’m humbly thankful.
Growing Tumor Behind Left Eye - Second Opinion:
I decided to travel to MD Anderson in Houston, TX. for a medical evaluation to get a second opinion on the tumor that has been growing behind my left eye, it has been slowly developing for the last several years.
In recent months, I have noticed my left eye is watery, itchy and I’m feeling some light pressure. The eye is starting to get pushed down and bulging in appearance (eyeball, and optic nerve have not been impacted, only eye orbit/bone area have been affected).
While at MDA, a special scan called Dotatate (dodecaneteraacetic) PET Scan, was conducted, it is a very thorough type of scan in detecting meningiomas and malignant neuroblastoma tumor types in the body.
Metastasis - New Tumor Findings:
In my quest for a detailed picture of my current cancer state of health, MDA discovered more neuroblastoma tumors in my body, metastasis activity, found mainly around my neck, around my head, and a couple tumors elsewhere, I had no idea of their existence before this visit.
Recommended Medical Plan of Action:
MDA doctors stated the significant importance of having surgery to my left eye in order to remove the tumor, regroup after several months and move towards future unconventional treatments to address the newly found metastatic tumors.
I have been scheduled for left eye orbit tumor removal, prosthesis placement, and reconstructive surgery in mid-April, with a recovery/check-up period through mid-May 2025, all at MDA in Houston, TX.
I will then pause at home in KC and return to MDA after three months check-up to see how I’m doing and how well surgical area is healing.
The overall plan is to have surgery to remove the tumor, then have my three month follow-up. I would then do another Dotatate PET Scan in several months to compare the recent scan, to see if there has changes or new tumor growths in my body. From there, we will determine the best path to take.
Thankful for MDA Check-up:
I am very thankful that I went to visit MDA, I was blessed to have such a detailed medical evaluation done, the team of doctors there have a sense of optimism, confidence, they are meticulous and precise. They are honest and they help me feel safe, their eminence with treating cancer is unmatched.
Pre-Surgical Preparation:
During the weeks before surgery, I am prepping my spirit with concentrated prayer, family, positive thoughts, nutritious meals, hydration, exercise, mitigating stress, and emphasizing rest.
Our church pastor Fr. Bill has been incredibly supportive and gently attentive to us during our time of need, all of these things will aid in my speedy recovery.
How Am I Feeling?
There are future alternative treatments to consider and possible maintenance drugs to prolong my life. Considering everything, I remain optimistic of things to come. Seems like I should start thinking of the putting things to rest, but I am not at that point in my life, and I may never get to that point in my life.
I feel well, nothing hurts, I eat, I sleep, I run, walk, speak, I do all the things I’ve always been able to do before - praise God. There is no reason to stop living, to stop doing, to stop aiming, and to stop serving others.
Love is an incredible example to me. Time, sickness, fire, or catastrophic events can not destroy love. Love goes on with cancer, after cancer and after illnesses, it can’t be touched or stopped. Love’s capacity to transcend all obstacles is powerful and humbling. So, I choose to move forward, and keep living a good life, all in God’s will.
Asking for Your Support, for Future Medical Expenses & Travels:
At this point in my life, I am facing future numerous medical expenses and trips to and from KC to Houston, with all of this….comes high monetary expenses.
On the road again, my husband, my sisters, my disabled elderly Bernese Mountain dog “Heidi” and me, we will all be traveling to Houston in mid-April and staying there through mid-May for my surgery and follow-up appointments.
Never before have I been faced with so much future medical travel. The complications and advancement of my cancer are requiring a new level of medical care and treatment measures.
If you would like to consider helping me continue the next advanced phase of my 15+ year Esthesioneuroblastoma cancer journey, your financial contributions and support would greatly be appreciated. I would utilize the funds for my medical expenses travels to and from KC to Houston, this would include lodging, non-insurance covered medical bills, and food.
Above all Asking for Your Prayers:
If you are unable to contribute financially, your prayers are worth more than you know. Your prayers sustain me, strengthen me, they nourish my soul, and my spirit, please send them my way, my husband's way and my families way.
New Updates on My Cancer Journey:
Will write monthly updates on my blog, visit me, contact me at carmen4nocancer.com so that you can stay informed on how things are coming along with us.
Eternally appreciative of your love and support.
Carmen
