Leiomyosarcoma: These Are Real Things, Abby's Journey

08/11/2024

Hey friends. 💜 I will be providing a video update about how things are going in the next few days. My next CT scan is in less than a week. I appreciate all the messages checking in on me since I went radio silent for a while. My goal was to focus on summer and family. I hope my LMS warriors are doing well. My heart is always with you all. Thanks for being here and for caring. I am always happy to lend an ear or hear from any of you. Sending much love out there. And as always, . I really mean it.

01/27/2024

This is a good reminder as I await my most recent CT results. 💜💜

01/23/2024

It's that time. Name and date of birth. Drink this slowly and then we'll do the IV. CT with contrast. "Have you done one of these before?" I nod my head yes.

It's a cold waiting room with strangers doing the same thing as me. I hope we all get good results. It is silent. I wonder if they feel as scared as I do.

After the nurse places my IV she said, "Okay, the worst of it is over now." She must not know. The worst is the waiting, waiting, and more waiting... waiting for the results. The worst has just begun.

Now we wait.



For new followers: I was diagnosed with May 2022 incidentally in a prophylactic hysterectomy. It has been a wild ride since then, including diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. But I'm still here. And today is Treaty Day for my tribe. So I am feeling especially encouraged and strong.

12/13/2023

I am so thankful her story is continuing to get coverage. I posted about Kelly in March, and now she's left her human form. She deserved better than this. This disease is so scary.

I was told for years that my heavy periods were perimenopause and was treated like a crazy person by many. I was told my cancer was a fibroid. No one believed me how bad it was.

I am so thankful for the cancer prevention clinic at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (now Fred Hutch). They listened to me after we learned about my gene mutation. They saved my life.

My next scans are in January. I am thankful to get to enjoy the holidays before scanxiety sets in again.

Thank you for advocating for us, Kelly. Rest easy.

Kelly Pendry warned other women after her terminal cancer symptoms were attributed to heavy periods.

12/06/2023

I fell in love with Maui when I met her in 2002. Leiomyosarcoma and the cancer journey of 2022 and 2023 made me wonder if I would return to her. Well, I always know I will return to her. Half of my ashes will be returned to her, eventually. But, I always hoped I would make it back in my human form. Wow. Being on this island is truly so good for my soul. It is also heartbreaking. Lahainatown is not my story to tell. But driving through it was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced.

We are being aware and respectful while giving so much love to Maui and her residents. I am so incredibly grateful to be here again. I never took Maui for granted, but now I know how to appreciate her even more.

A few weeks until my next scans. Praying to the sun, moon, and stars that they will continue to be clean, free, and clear.
☀️🌴🌊💜🌸

10/04/2023

Hey PNW Sarcoma Warriors! Check it out. Many thanks to the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation! 💜💛