Here’s how my cancer journey started:
July 16, 2026, I had my husband Ben take me to the emergency room here in Enumclaw shortly after 5pm. I was sent in for a CT scan of my abdomen since I was having weird movement sensations below my ribs on the right side. No pain there, but it felt like I had an alien moving in my belly area. Yes, just like in the movies, except not visible on the outside of my stomach. I also did have to a spot of piercing pain in the lower back ribs on my right side.
After the first CT Scan was checked, the ER doc came in with the grim news. She was very professional and compassionate. I was in shock. She said that, with my permission, she would put in for a direct transfer to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Center in Seattle straight to the Oncology department, and that she would have a second CT scan done on me before I left Enumclaw so that it wouldn’t have to be done when I got to Seattle.
ER Selfie
Over the next 4 days I underwent multiple tests and scans. I also had an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the tumor and healthy parts of my liver.
Frequent blood tests. Lots of blood draws.
CT and MRI Scans of my torso and spine.
By Friday, I started targeted radiation on T10 and surrounding areas of my spine.
I was discharged on Saturday after my second radiation treatment.
I then continued radiation treatments on weekdays at St. Francis in Federal Way and those wrapped up on Wednesday, July 29.
On July 23, we had my first appointment with Dr. Jessica Lee, Oncology Doctor. She laid out the likely possibility of what my cancer type was, but they were still needing to get test results back and to schedule more procedures and biopsies.
Then on Friday, July 31 I had a CT-guided needle biopsy of the spinal area that had been treated.
And on Monday, August 3 had a combination Endoscopy and Colonoscopy, where they checked to see if any biopsy samples were needed. Thankfully, those procedures were deemed to be relatively normal.
The genetic, pathology and other test results have since come back and we have also met with Fred Hutch staff for a second opinion on treatment protocols for my diagnosis.
The initial diagnosis was Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Liver, with metastisization to my lymph nodes and my spine. With the further results that have come back, the specific type has now be labeled as Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. You can find out more about this and the other types of Cholangiocarcinoma at Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation – Learn About CCA.
We have decided to go with Fred Hutch for my chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments going forward. We are still using VFMH for the neurology and spinal issues and will rescan in about 6 weeks to see if the combination of the radiation and the coming chemo/immuno treatments have had any effect on the cancer that is in my spine.
I will share more about my upcoming treatments and other things related to this new and very unexpected journey here on my website. I may or may not use the Comments feature. If I do, please feel free to leave a comment.