Christine Appleton & Family Support
Donation protected
Cancer? That is not the diagnosis I wanted to hear post surgery that removed a 15cm mass from my abdomen but on 11/29 that was the pathology report & diagnosis that forever changed my life. Now at the age of 41 with my hubby of 12 years, Bryan and the loves of my life, Keira (10) and Isaac (8), I am about to embark on a life-saving adventure.
We have an amazing network of wonderful people who love, encourage and support us that keep asking what they can do?
To be able to beat cancer I will be using traditional and naturopathic treatments. We will have to drive 2 hours to Billings, MT every time I need treatment which will be additional expenses. At some point, I may need to travel out of state for future treatments. Bryan and I have both been off work the last two weeks and need to figure out how we will proceed. All money raised from this campaign will be used for living expenses, treatments not covered by insurance, all out of pocket treatment expenses and necessary travel expenses to Billings, MT and beyond.
Looking for the background? I had noticed bloating and an occasional pain and decided I should go get it checked out. On Thursday 11/10/16 I met with my primary care doctor and she ordered an ultrasound. I was able to get in the next day, so Friday 11/11/16 I had a late afternoon ultrasound. It was the weekend now so it was time to wait. Monday 11/14/16 I received a call from my primary care doctor and was notified of a “large, complex, cystic mass” spanning my abdomen and was given an urgent referral to Gynecology. Given my mom’s death from Ovarian Cancer, they wanted me to get a CA125 blood test. I left work and did the blood test right away. By that evening, I received a call from Bozeman Women’s Health that my CA125 was elevated. Given the blood test results, the abdominal mass, the abnormal pap and my health history, I was referred to a Gynecologic Oncologist in Billings, MT to investigate this further. I was able to see them on Wed 11/16/16. He ordered a CT scan and got back to us immediately. On our ride home, we were informed that the CT scan showed about a mass 15cm in diameter and that he thought the best option was to continue with the surgery we had scheduled for Tuesday 11/22/16. He said he would be “pleasantly surprised if it wasn’t cancer.”
On 11/22/16 at 4:30 am, Bryan, myself and my best friend Michelle started our drive to Billings, MT (approx 2 hours away from our home in Bozeman). The surgery lasted about 6 hours (much longer than anticipated). During the surgery, in addition to a full hysterectomy, I had my appendix, two segments of my colon and some lymph nodes removed. The surgeon said he removed all visible signs of cancer, for which I am extremely grateful! They also inserted two ports to be used for later treatments. One is on the right side on my chest, just below my shoulder. The other is on the left side of my abdomen just below my rib cage.
I had several minor setbacks while in the hospital including low blood pressure issues. They also thought I had a blood clot in my lungs, but it turned out to be fluid in my lungs. I had a procedure to drain the fluid. Then I had issues with a racing heartbeat which required additional testing. Testing revealed that I had fluid in my abdomen which required another procedure to drain the fluid.
Right now I have an incision that runs approx. 16” vertically through my abdomen which you can imagine makes everything very difficult. I will have a 4-6 week recovery time post surgery. Not sure when we will start treatment, but I’ll keep everyone posted. After a 9 days in the hospital, I am now resting and recovering at home, which has not been easy. So far I have managed to stay positive and keep my spirits lifted.
Telling the kids today that the doctor found cancer cells was the most heartbreaking and horrible experience I have had, but I know we will get through this together! I was 30 years old when my mom died and it was brutal. I do not want my kids to experience the same thing! What scares me is not being able to see my kids grow up, but this is a battle I will not lose! My goal is to get my body to optimal health and do whatever is necessary to live a long life with my kids and Bryan.
My husband Bryan (my third child) has my back. He said since I carried the family the first 12 years (we celebrated our anniversary in the hospital), that it would be an honor to support and care for me during this next adventure. He has been wonderful through this process; enduring long nights in the hospital, drives to and from Billings, MT, taking care of the kids, helping with medication management and so much more. I am extremely blessed to have amazing family, friends and acquaintances that lifted me up in love and prayers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Every dollar helps! If you are unable to donate, please share via social media and send prayers our way!
We have an amazing network of wonderful people who love, encourage and support us that keep asking what they can do?
To be able to beat cancer I will be using traditional and naturopathic treatments. We will have to drive 2 hours to Billings, MT every time I need treatment which will be additional expenses. At some point, I may need to travel out of state for future treatments. Bryan and I have both been off work the last two weeks and need to figure out how we will proceed. All money raised from this campaign will be used for living expenses, treatments not covered by insurance, all out of pocket treatment expenses and necessary travel expenses to Billings, MT and beyond.
Looking for the background? I had noticed bloating and an occasional pain and decided I should go get it checked out. On Thursday 11/10/16 I met with my primary care doctor and she ordered an ultrasound. I was able to get in the next day, so Friday 11/11/16 I had a late afternoon ultrasound. It was the weekend now so it was time to wait. Monday 11/14/16 I received a call from my primary care doctor and was notified of a “large, complex, cystic mass” spanning my abdomen and was given an urgent referral to Gynecology. Given my mom’s death from Ovarian Cancer, they wanted me to get a CA125 blood test. I left work and did the blood test right away. By that evening, I received a call from Bozeman Women’s Health that my CA125 was elevated. Given the blood test results, the abdominal mass, the abnormal pap and my health history, I was referred to a Gynecologic Oncologist in Billings, MT to investigate this further. I was able to see them on Wed 11/16/16. He ordered a CT scan and got back to us immediately. On our ride home, we were informed that the CT scan showed about a mass 15cm in diameter and that he thought the best option was to continue with the surgery we had scheduled for Tuesday 11/22/16. He said he would be “pleasantly surprised if it wasn’t cancer.”
On 11/22/16 at 4:30 am, Bryan, myself and my best friend Michelle started our drive to Billings, MT (approx 2 hours away from our home in Bozeman). The surgery lasted about 6 hours (much longer than anticipated). During the surgery, in addition to a full hysterectomy, I had my appendix, two segments of my colon and some lymph nodes removed. The surgeon said he removed all visible signs of cancer, for which I am extremely grateful! They also inserted two ports to be used for later treatments. One is on the right side on my chest, just below my shoulder. The other is on the left side of my abdomen just below my rib cage.
I had several minor setbacks while in the hospital including low blood pressure issues. They also thought I had a blood clot in my lungs, but it turned out to be fluid in my lungs. I had a procedure to drain the fluid. Then I had issues with a racing heartbeat which required additional testing. Testing revealed that I had fluid in my abdomen which required another procedure to drain the fluid.
Right now I have an incision that runs approx. 16” vertically through my abdomen which you can imagine makes everything very difficult. I will have a 4-6 week recovery time post surgery. Not sure when we will start treatment, but I’ll keep everyone posted. After a 9 days in the hospital, I am now resting and recovering at home, which has not been easy. So far I have managed to stay positive and keep my spirits lifted.
Telling the kids today that the doctor found cancer cells was the most heartbreaking and horrible experience I have had, but I know we will get through this together! I was 30 years old when my mom died and it was brutal. I do not want my kids to experience the same thing! What scares me is not being able to see my kids grow up, but this is a battle I will not lose! My goal is to get my body to optimal health and do whatever is necessary to live a long life with my kids and Bryan.
My husband Bryan (my third child) has my back. He said since I carried the family the first 12 years (we celebrated our anniversary in the hospital), that it would be an honor to support and care for me during this next adventure. He has been wonderful through this process; enduring long nights in the hospital, drives to and from Billings, MT, taking care of the kids, helping with medication management and so much more. I am extremely blessed to have amazing family, friends and acquaintances that lifted me up in love and prayers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Every dollar helps! If you are unable to donate, please share via social media and send prayers our way!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Steinke-Baumgard
Organizer
Bozeman, MT
Christine Finnegan Appleton
Beneficiary