Elli's Fight with Cervical Cancer
Donation protected
About 4 months ago, in March, Elli began experiencing some abnormal bleeding/spotting between her normal monthly cycle. This was typically when she would use the bathroom, but because there was no pain that accompanied it, she wasn’t overly worried.
Because this started in the middle of the COVIID epidemic, she set a Teladoc appointment with her physician, and they decided the most likely scenario was a bacterial infection. Her physician called in a 10 day treatment of antibiotics, and assumed it would put the issue to rest... but the abnormal bleeding never went away.
A couple of months later, Elli began experiencing cramps and lower back pain on top of the spotting, and her doctor decided it was time she come in. Elli took a urine test to determine her kidney function, and the results showed she had both a urinary tract infection and a kidney infection. No wonder her back was in so much pain.
The doctor prescribed more serious antibiotics, and thereafter, deemed her clear of both. Still the pain. At this point the OBGYN was the only person to go see.
Elli hadn’t had a Pap smear in almost four years, but as they are only recommending them every three years now, this didn’t seem all that crazy. The doctor decided checking for additional infections would be the first step, and the tests he gave came with a significant amount of bleeding. Understandably, this is when things started to get scary. Her OB was hopeful the test would come back positive for an infection, because if it did not, the only possibility was something significantly more serious.
Results of the test came back 5 days later, and as they were negative, the next step was a cervical biopsy. At this point they were relatively certain that is was cancer, but we waited another 5 days for official test results.
July 6th is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. The doctor called Elli back in and informed her that she not only has cervical cancer, but that it is somewhat advanced. Her next visit was with the OB oncologist, who completed his own pelvic exam. Unfortunately, his prognosis brought more bad news. The tumor is Elli’s cervix is quite large (5cm), and the only option is a radical hysterectomy to remove her uterus, cervix, and the surrounding lymph nodes. For the time being, Elli’s ovaries and eggs will stay in place. The most difficult realization/hurdle for Elli thus far has been coming to terms with Cancer taking her option of carrying her own child. Though the method through which she can have children may change, our hope is that through IVF and surrogacy she will still have the opportunity to do so when she is ready – she will make an incredible mother. If radiation/chemo are required, she will freeze her eggs, as they cannot survive those treatments.
For those of you who know my sister, words truly cannot describe how beautiful of a person she is. For those of you who don’t — Elli is truly one of a kind. She is positive, upbeat, and an absolute blessing to have in your presence. She sees the best in people, and forgives the worst. She has a way of finding something innocent to tease you about, and making the innocuous absolutely hilarious. She has so much left to give, and so much life to live.
She is loved by so many.
Cancer obviously will change some of life’s plans, and the weeks and months ahead will come with many challenges. The current and coming medical bills are the tip of the iceberg. There is, unfortunately, so much left that we do not know. The were able to rush her in for a PET scan last week, the results of which we should have today or tomorrow. What we do know is that medical bills are already mounting, with the out of pocket cost on the procedures required this week already in excess of $30,000.
I know that Elli will beat this — there are too many things she has left to see. During this fight, we hope to provide her with the best medical care and options to make sure she is as comfortable as possible.
Your donations, shares, and prayers are appreciated so much — I will try to keep everyone updated periodically as Elli kicks cancer’s ass!
Because this started in the middle of the COVIID epidemic, she set a Teladoc appointment with her physician, and they decided the most likely scenario was a bacterial infection. Her physician called in a 10 day treatment of antibiotics, and assumed it would put the issue to rest... but the abnormal bleeding never went away.
A couple of months later, Elli began experiencing cramps and lower back pain on top of the spotting, and her doctor decided it was time she come in. Elli took a urine test to determine her kidney function, and the results showed she had both a urinary tract infection and a kidney infection. No wonder her back was in so much pain.
The doctor prescribed more serious antibiotics, and thereafter, deemed her clear of both. Still the pain. At this point the OBGYN was the only person to go see.
Elli hadn’t had a Pap smear in almost four years, but as they are only recommending them every three years now, this didn’t seem all that crazy. The doctor decided checking for additional infections would be the first step, and the tests he gave came with a significant amount of bleeding. Understandably, this is when things started to get scary. Her OB was hopeful the test would come back positive for an infection, because if it did not, the only possibility was something significantly more serious.
Results of the test came back 5 days later, and as they were negative, the next step was a cervical biopsy. At this point they were relatively certain that is was cancer, but we waited another 5 days for official test results.
July 6th is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. The doctor called Elli back in and informed her that she not only has cervical cancer, but that it is somewhat advanced. Her next visit was with the OB oncologist, who completed his own pelvic exam. Unfortunately, his prognosis brought more bad news. The tumor is Elli’s cervix is quite large (5cm), and the only option is a radical hysterectomy to remove her uterus, cervix, and the surrounding lymph nodes. For the time being, Elli’s ovaries and eggs will stay in place. The most difficult realization/hurdle for Elli thus far has been coming to terms with Cancer taking her option of carrying her own child. Though the method through which she can have children may change, our hope is that through IVF and surrogacy she will still have the opportunity to do so when she is ready – she will make an incredible mother. If radiation/chemo are required, she will freeze her eggs, as they cannot survive those treatments.
For those of you who know my sister, words truly cannot describe how beautiful of a person she is. For those of you who don’t — Elli is truly one of a kind. She is positive, upbeat, and an absolute blessing to have in your presence. She sees the best in people, and forgives the worst. She has a way of finding something innocent to tease you about, and making the innocuous absolutely hilarious. She has so much left to give, and so much life to live.
She is loved by so many.
Cancer obviously will change some of life’s plans, and the weeks and months ahead will come with many challenges. The current and coming medical bills are the tip of the iceberg. There is, unfortunately, so much left that we do not know. The were able to rush her in for a PET scan last week, the results of which we should have today or tomorrow. What we do know is that medical bills are already mounting, with the out of pocket cost on the procedures required this week already in excess of $30,000.
I know that Elli will beat this — there are too many things she has left to see. During this fight, we hope to provide her with the best medical care and options to make sure she is as comfortable as possible.
Your donations, shares, and prayers are appreciated so much — I will try to keep everyone updated periodically as Elli kicks cancer’s ass!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alexander Gentile
Organizer
St Louis, MO
Elli Gentile
Beneficiary