I want to share my unique journey...

I was diagnosed with insulin resistance by my GYN doctor. After several failed diets and workout programs, she suggested I go to the Bariatric clinic to see if they had some other options for me. At first I was so hurt that I was viewed as "big" enough to need Bariatrics. I actually had already met the surgeon as I am a nurse and worked with him regularly. I agreed to see him as a patient.

We met in his office where he explained my options: Optifast, RNY and LapBand. I barely qualified at that time for the surgeries and couldn't see myself living on a liquid diet so I sort of nixed the idea all together. I was already familiar with RNY patients and knew that was not an option for me. I had heard of LapBand, but not met any patients yet with one but thought it was worth looking into. I started the 6 month required diet and visits with the nutritionist and all the other ancillary staff necessary to make these things happen. He wanted to go ahead with the initial testing such as labs and an EGD (upper endoscopy). I agreed and scheduled my test a few months later on November 8, 2006. The procedure went off without a hitch. Apparently I needed a hefty dose of sedation medication as I kept trying to push the surgeon out of the way so I could see the monitor!!

I returned to work the next day. I felt great, was becoming excited about my decision to get the LapBand. The following day, my surgeon told me we had to repeat the EGD because there was a problem. Problem? What kind of problem? He said, "it appears as though you have cancer".

Cancer??? What?? What do you mean? I thought he was looking for H. Pylori like all the other patients!! He said, "the cells came back as Lymphoma and it's very rare and we must do the test again to be sure". I was 35 years old.

I didn't hear anything else he may have said to me after that. I simply nodded my head and thanked him for his visit and agreed to see him the next day to repeat the scope. As before, the test was easy. I was in a daze and felt like my head was spinning. The lab confirmed the cells were lymphoma very quickly that day, but decided to forward them on to a medical college and from there they were sent to the Mayo Clinic. I was diagnosed with MALT Lymphoma. It's an unusual form of Lymphoma that rarely affects women and is usually found when a person is in their 60's-70's. It is normally associated with H. Pylori, but I tested negative on three different tests. I was immediately sent to an oncologist that gave me a list of treatment options -radiation, chemo and partial/total gastrectomy! I got a second and a third opinion as the treatment options for this kind of cancer are not agreed upon by all onocologists. I wanted someone who dealt with it often enough to give me the best outcome possible. Ultimately, it was decided that I'd receive chemotherapy but not radiation at this point (I was too young--would wait and see if chemo worked). I was treated for the H. Pylori anyway, just in case it was there and just not showing up on the tests. The doctors said I most likely had it at some point. I was given a port (a "permanent" IV) to receive my chemo once weekly. I started chemo in January of 2007 and finished at the end of March. In the mean time, all of my weight loss efforts stopped. I did not lose any weight with my chemo (I got to have a very specific kind that only attacked my cancer cells, not the rest of my body), and I didn't lose my hair. I was very tired and my hair thinned, but I was able to continue working (barely--I needed to save my FMLA in case I had to change to anothe chemo that would keep me from working). It was brutal and I was so scared. Mostly for my children and my husband.

In August of 2007, I asked if we could resume the Quest for the LapBand and after much deliberating amongst my two oncologists, GYN, PCP, Endocrinologist and my Bariatric surgeon they agreed. They all agreed that because my cancer attacked at such a young age and we are finally under control (with caution), that it is in my best interest to lose weight and get healthy. I restarted the entire program with many more doctors on board this time. Since my initial appointment, I'd gained approximately 40 more pounds and was feeling pretty bad about the unfortunate turn of events in my life. I went through all the emotions and fear as you'd expect and to this day not sure that I will ever be the same person that I was before. Cancer changes you forever. I needed to have this surgery. I am definitely never a candidate for the RNY now and the doctors all agreed that this option (Lap Band) would be the most benefical without interfering with any future tests or maintainence chemotherapy.

It is unknown whether this particular kind of cancer "could" be related to obesity, but because the band is adjustable, they feel that if my cancer comes back or I need a different treatment, they can work with that. My own school of thought is that had I not been obese, I wouldn't have developed GERD which gave me an ersoion that allowed bacteria in that turned to cancer. Hmmmph. Who knows.

I just know that to receive the LapBand is truely a life saving measure for me. I realize that it is the same for so many of you that have other health conditions that could eventually cause death. I just wanted to share my story with you. I just got another EGD 2 weeks ago and this one is the first one to come back without cancer cells!!!! I am so relieved to be going into this surgery "healthy".

I am looking forward to a new start in life like so many of you. Had I never been referred to the Bariatric clinic, they might never have found my cancer so early (I had NO symptoms). I see this as a strange kind of blessing that I went through all of this never knowing it would literally save my life. So you see, getting banded is my reconstruction, my new beginning, my GIFT!

Just as a breast cancer survivor gets her new breast I get my band on April 10th 2008.

~Carol

You all are so kind...I am lucky to be here and proud to be part of LBT!

Carol you are an amazing woman. Good luck to you and I will be thinking of ya when I am down in OH next weekend.

Well, I had a nice long email made out for you last night, and the electricity bipped and we lost power.....

Anyway....you are a true inspiration. You are going to shine with the band, and going through what you have gone through will give you even more determination and strength.

I had a sister die at 42 from Ovarion cancer, and it was tough....if she would have had a test or something it would of caught it.......

My thoughts and prayers go out to you this week....I wish you the best of luck.....

Carol, thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. You are very brave and an inspiration to everyone!!

Amazing story, and best of luck with your surgery and your journey to a healthier and happier life.

Cathy

Carol, you Amazing April Avenger...thanks for sharing your story...for everything there is a season....your an inspiration to us all. Good luck with your journey and God Bless!

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm glad I get to be part of this amazing group!

~Carol

Carol, all I can say is Wow. I am so sorry this happened to you. I really hope your lapband surgery goes well. Juliew

Kat: What kind of cancer did you have?

I had uterine cancer of the endometrial lining.

I currently have 2 remaining tumors in my body--1 in my fibula (shin bone) and one in the mastoid ( a bony like gland just below and behind your ear). I had a bone scan done today to check the possible growth factor in the mastoid tumor. Hoping to get good news.

My 5 year mark will be up in September.

Good Luck with your band--mine has made an amazing difference in my life. I know I am in much better health if ever I have to face anything like it again.

Kat

Wow Kat, I will be praying for you! Sounds like you've done well. I pray you continue to stay healthy. It's good to hear that the Band gave you some of your life back too!

~C

My husband is a cancer survivor too. It's such a shock to hear a diagnosis like that and so many scary things go through our minds, all the what if's and thoughts of our families, but we're stronger for having been through the experience and you seem to have gotten a lot of strength and appreciation for life, A true survivor story!

You will truly appreciate your band and how it will change your life.

Best Wishes to you!

Tomorrow is the big day! I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I am that it has finally arrived! I'm a little nervous, the excited kind! I can't believe after all I've been through, that I am getting this done! I'm looking forward to my new Band, my new beginning of my life!

Thank you all so much for the support you've given me!

~C

Well, be sure to check in with us when you get home. Congratulations!

Been meaning to get back to your last PM---I am so ditzy today---feel like I am in a brain fog!!!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow! You will do wonderfully!!!

Here is to a smooth, uneventful surgery and recovery. I will be in touch!

Hugs~~

Kat

Turler, Thank you for sharing your story. You are such a lucky girl to have started the lap band process and to have your cancer discovered. Someone was looking down on you from above. With no symptoms, one can only guess when it would have been discovered.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you a quick recovery. You are going to be another success story. Can just tell by your attitude. I am sure that there is nothing you take for granted in your life after what you have been through. God Bless and may all your dreams come true. Karen...hugs