I was diagnosed with Stage 3B bladder cancer with a T4 Tumor in August 2016 just 3 months short of turning 41. Single, childfree, and without parent or sibling support, I learned to navigate treatment and survivorship with the love and support of friends, extended family, and even coworkers.
At the time of diagnosis, I had been fighting for answers from the medical community for at least 2 years, but since I didn’t tick off any of the risk factors, I was brushed off with medications and the symptoms I described were ignored or not believed.
While waiting to have a radical cystectomy, I underwent a procedure to have a temporary nephrostomy in order to save one of my kidneys. At the time of her radical cystectomy, I also had a complete hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy to remove the urothelial carcinoma. As a precaution, all of her pelvic lymph nodes were also removed. An ileal conduit (also known as a urostomy) was placed.
I experienced quite a few complications from my procedure and the originally slated 1 week in the hospital and 2 with inpatient rehabilitation turned into a combined 2 months. Following my discharge, I was able to somewhat enjoy her 41st birthday and Thanksgiving with close friends. The week after Thanksgiving, I had my first outpatient oncology visit, had the procedure to get my port, shaved my head and started chemo.
Five grueling, densely scheduled rounds later, I ended up in the hospital for a blood transfusion and more rehab before getting discharged and immediately returning to work in order to keep the position I had at the time.
Slowly regaining strength, I eventually got involved with my local ostomy association and took over the presidency of the local group and have been increasingly been getting involved with the national level. I also started this personal blog and take every opportunity to share my story.
When I am not raising awareness for bladder cancer, AYAC (adolescent & young adult cancer) and ostomy issues, I enjoy volunteering with my high school alma mater, spending time in nature and with friends and family, doing anything creative and traveling.
I have never had an easy life, yet I was not ready to just give up when I received my diagnosis. Cancer has definitely been one of the biggest challenges of my life, but it also had a lot of gifts within the journey.
In September 2020, I took a leap of faith and made a transition to writing and advocacy work full time. It has been quite a change, but one that is paying off in a multitude of ways. Previously, I filled my days with being the administrative assistant to a special team of medical professionals at a pediatric hospital in her area where she is also able to assist in advocating for my teams’ patients’ ostomy needs.
2021 – Nominated for Healthcare Collaborator & Patient Leader Hero Awards with WEGO Health!
YoURostomy 