My Diagnosis

FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2006 05:42 PM, CDT
May 12, 2006
Dear Friends and Family,
For those of you who have not been in touch with us, Heather had surgery on Wednesday to remove a cyst (grapefruit size) on her ovary. A doctor had treated her the week before for a bladder infection. She had been having stomach pains for the past month. After treatment the pain persisted and with further testing Monday the cyst was discovered. The doctor immediately sent her to an OB/GYN who scheduled her for surgery on Wednesday. Her husband Jared, Jareds mother, Jareds grandmothers and myself met with Dr. Wilson when the surgery was completed. We were all in shock when he told us the cyst/tumor was malignant.
Fortunately they were able to take the tumor and right ovary out. He said that the cancer looked contained but to be sure we needed to do a chest x-ray and CT scan to determine if the cancer had metastasized. These tests looked good in terms of being cancer free except for a suspicious spot on her liver. He ordered an MRI to rule out cancer being in the liver.
This afternoon he came in to tell us that he had good news and bad news. The good news was that the liver looks fine. The bad news was that the pathology reports found cancer in the other ovary. That means that she would need a hysterectomy and follow-up with chemo. The other good news was that the tumor was a stage 1-C ovarian cancer. The five-year success rate of survival for this type of cancer is 83-95%.
He is sending the pathology to a specialist in this type of cancer at M.D. Anderson for further evaluation. His recommendation was to do follow-up treatment at M.D. Anderson. He estimated that the results would not be available until Friday. They would then be able to narrow down the specific type of cell we were dealing with. He also noted that this type of cancer in women of Heathers age is very rare.
In about ten days, we will most likely go to MD Anderson for further evaluation. We ask that everyone keep Heather in your thoughts and prayers. The family also covets your love and prayers.
Mike and Mary Kay Broughton
Jason Broughton
Jared Marks
Ricky and Lisa Marks