Aa
My pregnancy happened for a reason...
I wanted to post my story as a reminder that sometimes there is a plan for our lives, even when it doesn't seem clear. My first DD was conceived easily, so we expected TTC #2 to be the same way. Month after month we were discouraged and devastated that I wasn't pregnant. Finally, 8 months after we started trying we were blessed with a BFP.
I found out very early into my pregnancy by ultrasound that I had a complex mass inside my abdomen. They sent me to a maternal/fetal specialist in St. Louis (2 hrs from my house) to be looked at. The doctor felt confident that it was a dermoid cyst. We chose NOT to have it removed during my pregnancy b/c of the risk of losing the baby. There was concern that the growing baby might cause the cyst to torque or rupture...causing extreme pain and the need for emergency surgery.
I was lucky that the cyst never presented a problem during my entire pregnancy and I underwent a planned c-section on November 23rd to delivery my DD and to also remove the cyst at the same time. A week after my daughter was born, the pathology returned that my cyst was malignant. My world was turned upside down and I was devastated. Add in pregnancy horomones to the mix, and you can imagine I was a mess.
I spent the next 5 weeks undergoing a battery of tests to determine the exact cause/location of the cancer. They were unsure which organ it was arising from or if it had spread. After a CT scan, colonoscopy, cystoscopy, and upper GI, everything seemed to be clear. My tumor was sent to both Mayo Clinic and to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis to have the pathology read. They have both concluded that it is early ovarian cancer. I will undergo exploratory laparoscopic surgery on January 26th to remove my ovary, appendix, biopsy some lymphnodes and check around my abdomen for other growths or signs of cancer. If everything goes well with my surgery and no other signs of cancer are seen, I will be in the clear and only have to be monitored by bloodwork every 3 months. We are all praying that my surgery goes well with no other signs of cancer so we can put this behind us and I can finally start to enjoy my new little family. My doctors are confident and I am finally starting to feel optimistic.
My cyst measured 8 cm but the cancerous part of my tumor only measured 0.1cm!!! All of the doctors have concluded that my little baby saved my life. If she would have come along any sooner the cancer would have been even smaller and probably overlooked during the pathology which could have been potentially devastating down the road. If she would have come along any later the cancer could have become widespread and unmanageable. The timing of her conception is absolutely amazing and it's hard for me not to believe that God had a hand in bringing her to our lives.
I know the pains and struggles of TTC...not nearly to the extent of many of you wonderful women...but I do understand the hurt and loss. This has helped me to realize the bigger picture, even though it was not clear at the time.
I found out very early into my pregnancy by ultrasound that I had a complex mass inside my abdomen. They sent me to a maternal/fetal specialist in St. Louis (2 hrs from my house) to be looked at. The doctor felt confident that it was a dermoid cyst. We chose NOT to have it removed during my pregnancy b/c of the risk of losing the baby. There was concern that the growing baby might cause the cyst to torque or rupture...causing extreme pain and the need for emergency surgery.
I was lucky that the cyst never presented a problem during my entire pregnancy and I underwent a planned c-section on November 23rd to delivery my DD and to also remove the cyst at the same time. A week after my daughter was born, the pathology returned that my cyst was malignant. My world was turned upside down and I was devastated. Add in pregnancy horomones to the mix, and you can imagine I was a mess.
I spent the next 5 weeks undergoing a battery of tests to determine the exact cause/location of the cancer. They were unsure which organ it was arising from or if it had spread. After a CT scan, colonoscopy, cystoscopy, and upper GI, everything seemed to be clear. My tumor was sent to both Mayo Clinic and to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis to have the pathology read. They have both concluded that it is early ovarian cancer. I will undergo exploratory laparoscopic surgery on January 26th to remove my ovary, appendix, biopsy some lymphnodes and check around my abdomen for other growths or signs of cancer. If everything goes well with my surgery and no other signs of cancer are seen, I will be in the clear and only have to be monitored by bloodwork every 3 months. We are all praying that my surgery goes well with no other signs of cancer so we can put this behind us and I can finally start to enjoy my new little family. My doctors are confident and I am finally starting to feel optimistic.
My cyst measured 8 cm but the cancerous part of my tumor only measured 0.1cm!!! All of the doctors have concluded that my little baby saved my life. If she would have come along any sooner the cancer would have been even smaller and probably overlooked during the pathology which could have been potentially devastating down the road. If she would have come along any later the cancer could have become widespread and unmanageable. The timing of her conception is absolutely amazing and it's hard for me not to believe that God had a hand in bringing her to our lives.
I know the pains and struggles of TTC...not nearly to the extent of many of you wonderful women...but I do understand the hurt and loss. This has helped me to realize the bigger picture, even though it was not clear at the time.
I am so glad that my story has provided hope. I am a control freak, so not getting pregnant drove me crazy...LOL! I've realized now in ALL areas of my life that I need to try to let go of that control and understand there is a bigger plan! :)
Amazing! Thanks for sharing your story. It's so good to hear stories like these to give others hope and inspiration! God is good and still in the miracle making business. :)
I know if He brought you through all of this He will bring you through your surgery and whatever else might be needed. God bless you and your little miracle baby!
I know if He brought you through all of this He will bring you through your surgery and whatever else might be needed. God bless you and your little miracle baby!
Wow! Thats is completely amazing! I am so happy for you and sad at the same time!
I am SO happy that you are doing well! Your in my thoughts!!!
*HUGS*
I am SO happy that you are doing well! Your in my thoughts!!!
*HUGS*
Wow amy I noticed you havnt been on here in forever! I will keep you in my prayers! I am gonna Pm you so take a look at it when you have time!
what a great reminder of what a blessing our little ones are. I hope you continue to have such great progress and stay cancer free!
God is so amazing and its always wonderful to hear the blessings of others, keep your faith and trust in God that he will bring you through this tough time in your life, he did not bring you this far to leave you an angel is watching over you!! My mom is a 9 yr survivor of breast cancer and it was God who showed her the cancer in a very early stage. She had a mamogram in July 01 and it showed nothing, then after a self examination she discovered a lump in her breast in Sept 01 and it was cancer. She trusted God throughout the whole ordeal, she ended up getting a double mastectomy (at diff times because cancer was present in the other breast too) after all the treatment and surgery she never shed a tear about it! Im praying for you and your family...."GOD may not come when you want him, but he'll be there right on time" God Bless!!
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