My 72 Birthday - Ovarian Cancer, MCAS, and Lynparza

 

I made it! Today is my 72nd birthday which I enjoyed spending with my family. 

Last year about this time, I was in the hospital and had been just diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3c (cancer cells covered all inside my abdomen, but had not yet invaded any organs). When I was asked what I wanted for my birthday, I replied, "to go home!"

I was told that without chemo treatment, I would only live three months. My CA125 cancer marker was 1,900 (35 is where you have cancer) and there was little hope that I would live, but through the the power of God, the prayers of others, four chemo treatments, and an hysterectomy, my cancer is now in remission. 

This year I've come to feel how much I am loved, and have seen over and over how the Lord has interceded in my life to help me. Just this last month, I was concerned about having to go off of antihistamines for five days around the 4th of July so that the allergist could test for medications for my upcoming

surgery. Knowing how much smoke bothers me, I was debating if we'd need to retreat to the open desert during the holiday fireworks. When I called the allergist to see if they had received the list I had sent of medications to test, I was told that they just had a cancelation and asked if I would like to come in a month early at the beginning of June. Of course, I said, "Yes!"

As the allergist reviewed my health history, he explained that I have few true allergies and many chemical sensitivities which he could do little to help. Then, he paused and said that there were some people who have mast cells that are highly reactive and suggested that we test for this condition the next day. 

This is how I came to learn about MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). Though there is still more testing to do, it is looking pretty conclusive that this condition is what I have been suffering with for most of my life. This is a genetic condition which causes reactions to food, chemical smells such as paint and perfumes, sudden changes in temperature, hormone imbalances, infections, injuries, stress, and any other thing which these white blood cells might perceive as a threat. At last my chronic illness has a name and some treatment!

It has been a relief to understand that all the chemicals these mast immune cells have been dumping into my body in huge amounts accounts for my constant fatigue, fainting with chemicals, sleepiness with perfume, nauseousness with foods, depression, anxiety and "brain fog" with stress, difficulty recovery after surgery, and many other problems. (see here for a good site about this condition - https://tmsforacure.org)

Now, I understand why I felt so strongly that I should see an allergist before my mastectomy which will be a month from now. Though I have been guided to do almost everything that is recommended treatment for this MCAS condition, there are a few foods I need to quit eating (beef, strawberries, and dried fruit), a few things I need to quit doing (smelling foods I'm allergic to, getting over tired, hot, or cold, or going to high altitude), and some things I need to do more of such as relax, eating several small meals during the day, and taking an H1 and H2 blocker each day. 

This last month has been overwhelming at times. There has been moments when I've felt that I just couldn't handle having to deal not only with cancer, cancer treatments, the anemia from the treatments, allergies, four spinal injuries, and now I need to also deal with having MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). Through this month, I have felt a strength greater than my own holding me up, comforting my heart, and helping me accept the changes I need to make in my life. 

I've learned that instead of just taking away all my health problems (what I really wished would happen), the Lord is answering my prayers for aid with my surgery next month by giving me the information I need to assist with my recovery.  Not only will this understanding of MCAS help me during surgery and afterward, but it will make my remaining years easier for me. I know I am being supported in my life.  I feel very blessed and loved. I am very grateful that He is enabling me to gain more confidence in my ability to solve problems with His help, and to feel more at peace that all will go well next month with my mastectomy.