Initial diagnosis - July 11, 2022 (imported from FB)

No, I'm not pregnant... Read on for a long story and why it is so important to ask more questions and get second opinions. If you don't feel right, find out why... 

 Also, I want to preemptively say that my husband William Wen is a rockstar. He has helped so much already, and is ready for fighting with me. I love you Wil. 

 I'm headed into surgery on Wednesday, so in less than 2 days. All because my abdomen filled with fluid and I didn't know why... Turned out to be because of something going on with my ovaries. Read on for more info (lots of medical info, but I wanted to be real and open because we need to share the good and bad). 

 A couple of weekends ago it was really warm out. Our air conditioner wasn't working right so we decided to get out of the house, go see Top Gun in the theaters, and have dinner out. It was a great, normal day. 

That Monday night, I had dinner with a friend at The Melting Pot, the fondue restaurant. I definitely didn't eat as much as I probably normally would, but I was thinking maybe it was the heat. I'm also sensitive to bread and dairy, so figured I probably had my limit. 

 The next day my stomach was bloated, and again I just thought it was too much bread and cheese. I wasn't really hungry, still figuring I ate enough at dinner the night before. 

Wednesday, I wasn't hungry at all. I didn't eat much. 

Thursday, I decided to go to urgent care because I was having difficulty breathing and my abdomen was very bloated. I looked about 7 months pregnant. The doctor at urgent care didn't perform any tests, but he tapped on my belly, said it sounds like gas or air, then poked around my abdomen and asked if there was any pain. That was about it. He said I have acid reflux and sent me on my way with some prescriptions and instructions on what not to eat. I took his prescription Gas-X the next few days, I started on the Omeprazole prescription, and I didn't notice anything different. 

 4th of July was that Monday, and we went to a friend's house for dinner. I definitely felt self conscious looking like I was so pregnant. The next morning, it was suggested that I try miralax to see if I'm constipated and that's what was causing the bloating. After taking that for 5 days and my stomach getting larger, I decided it was time to go get another opinion. 

 We first stopped at urgent care again and the receptionist recommended that it would be better if I just went to the ER where they can run any kind of test needed. 

It took about 30-45 minutes to get into a room, which is fine. And then they started to run tests. Every possible test. They did blood analysis, urinalysis, chest x-ray, EKG, ultrasound of my abdomen, and a CT scan with contrast. So many things. But I wanted an answer, so I was okay with all of the tests. And at this point, I look like I'm 9 months pregnant (but I'm not)... 

 Everything looked good, except for a spot on one of my ovaries, plus all of the fluids in my abdomen. The ER Dr was able to reach the gynecological oncologist and it was determined that it was potentially ovarian cancer. 

I was able to get in today for an appointment, and she has me scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. 

It will be a robotic hysterectomy and a bunch of other things. When they get in there, they will see if additional things will need to be removed, but all major organs looked fine in the CT scan. There might be an adhesion to my colon, which would require removing a few inches of that and reconnecting it (fun). And we won't know for sure about the cancer, or if it is, what specific kind it is until after they remove the cells and test them. 

 I physically feel fine other than the immense pressure of my abdomen full of fluids (think of all of a sudden muscles and skin need to stretch). Tough to breathe because of the pressure, and very difficult to sleep... 

 I feel like I'm in very capable hands, and I feel very confident that this surgery will go well. 

I will have Wil update when possible, and I'm sure I'll be on my phone on Thursday...

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