My Unexpected Journey Through Cancer

Last October, I joined a club no one wishes to be part of. At 40, a wife, and mother to a toddler, and after 15 years as a journalist for Fox News, I became part of the cancer community. Just after celebrating my birthday, I was diagnosed with metastatic appendiceal cancer.

When I first heard the diagnosis, I felt disoriented. Medical terms and treatment plans overwhelmed me. Appendix cancer? I never knew that organ could cause so much trouble.

As I processed the diagnosis, emotions of fear, despair, and anger surfaced. It all began in early June when I noticed dull abdominal pains. The thought of cancer didn’t occur to me—it seldom does at my age. Despite my instincts saying the pain was diet-related, I eventually consulted my doctor. A CT scan revealed unsettling news.

My doctor quickly called, urging me to see a gynecological oncologist. Alarmed, I faced the possibility of ovarian cancer. A trusted colleague at Fox News, Dr. Nicole Saphier, reviewed my scan. There was a mass, but its precise location was unclear.

Within days, I met with oncologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering. A series of tests and surgeries followed, leading to an official and rare diagnosis. Two years ago, during pregnancy, I experienced a complete lung collapse and underwent emergency surgery. The rare lung disease Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) entered my life then. Facing two rare diagnoses in such a short span seemed unimaginable.

Cancer wasn’t related to my lung condition. The thought of harvesting eggs before chemotherapy was proposed, but having a healthy daughter felt sufficient. I commenced treatment immediately, determined to be present for her. I am now midway through chemotherapy, with surgery likely ahead.

Despite the harshness of chemotherapy, I usually recover quickly. I treasure the ten-day windows between treatments to live fully, celebrating with my family. It’s vital for my mental and physical well-being. Enjoying life amidst adversity sends a defiant message to cancer.

My spirits lift, focusing on faith over fear. Yes, moments of despair arise, but I strive to shift back to a life filled with gratitude. The journey challenges my resilience, drawn from my daughter and cousin Kelsey, who overcame a similar battle in her youth.

Cancer is a small part of my life’s narrative. It doesn’t define me completely. I am above all a child of God, a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and a passionate journalist. My love encompasses the outdoors, skating, writing, and music. Cancer patient is now part of my identity, but I fervently anticipate the day I can add ‘cancer conqueror’ to my story.