Grossly normal ovaries: My testimony (PT. 1)

Everything I am about to tell you happened over 8 weeks from April 2015 - June 2015. My goal is not to convince you of anything. My hope is to expose you to the possibilities of faith and believing.

After returning from a family vacation in April 2015, I became increasingly ill. Mostly I had a consistent pain in my left ribcage area which lasted for a couple of weeks. What sent me to the doctor was a feeling of lethargy and labored breathing. I would eventually visit three doctors over 8 weeks each treating my current condition. My first treatment would be two blood transfusions and a medicine to cease five months long menstrual cycle that had left me the most weak I had ever experienced. Nearly half my body's blood lost. This weakened state also came with stage 3 hypertension.

With my high blood pressure and bleeding mostly under control I was referred to an OBGYN, Dr. Pope. Following many tests including ultrasound, Pap smear, blood work, pelvic exam on May 14, I left her office hearing these words, "I fear you have ovarian cancer." My immediate response which came out more as a yelp was, "How dare you use that word with me?! How dare you?!"

Then on May 19, Dr. Pope called to say my blood tests were back, yes she was nearly certain my left ovary was cancerous, 3 times the size of my right ovary and with a mass. She described my left ovary as trashed. I would need to see an OBYGN oncologist right away. In between these dates of May 14 and May 19th my oldest child turned 16.

I asked for my records to be sent to me. I needed to see the results in black and white. I was referred to a specialist, Dr. Spann. He is a renowned cancer surgeon. From our first visit, I felt like I had landed in a warm space. My first words to him were this, "I am not a patient chart, I am a person and a mom. Tell me now, do I have cancer, am I going to die?" Dr. Spann went on to say I know that there is something ravaging your body and does not belong inside you. I know that we will not know precisely your condition unless we do surgery. I know you look like a smart woman and I will need you to trust me. If you do have cancer and it spreads you may have 1-2 years of life without aggressive treatment.

He immediately attempted an endometrial tissue sample to test for cancer but I was in too much pain during the procedure for him to complete it. I left my first appointment to his office on May 26th feeling deflated, confused and deathly afraid. My only thought was for my children. What would become of my children without their mother? That night I stood on stage providing encouragement to women who were looking for answers from my ministry AWESOME LIFE MINISTRIES. I felt anything but awesome. I felt completely broken. I had read enough to know that if surgery was done and my ovaries were removed my chances of dying of heart disease increased by at least 7 times. Both my mother at Age 55 and her mother died with heart disease. Just age 50, was I next?

In the very depths of my sorrow, God spoke to me and said, "I will never leave you alone."
END OF PART ONE