updating, to try to start again

Leiomyosarcoma, also referred to as LMS, is a malignant (cancer) smooth muscle tumor. (When such a neoplasm is benign, it is a leiomyoma.)

Leiomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer, and accounts for between 5–10% of soft tissue sarcomas, which are in themselves relatively rare. Leiomyosarcomas can be very unpredictable. They can remain dormant for long periods of time and recur after years. It is a resistant cancer, meaning generally not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation. The best outcomes occur when it can be removed surgically with wide margins early, while small and still in situ.

Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles, which are found in most parts of the body, including the uterus, stomach and intestines, the walls of all blood vessels, and the skin. It is therefore possible for leiomyosarcomas to appear at any site in the body (including the breasts); they are most commonly found in the uterus, stomach, small intestine and retroperitoneum.

So… that’s the technical stuff. There’s a good chance that the fibroid tumors that necessitated my hysterectomy in 2010 were related. In July, my surgeon and his team removed three tumors, 12”-16” of intestine, part of the colon, and the gall bladder—but the rest of the cancerous tissue is so wrapped around the intestine that it can’t be removed

I am, as you may have guessed, exceedingly unthrilled. At least the odds are low that my family has to worry about it.

The major symptoms started in late May, I think, with mood swings, weird bloating and tenderness, and loss of appetite and energy. I went into the hospital at the end of June, too dehydrated to walk or function, came out briefly, went back in for surgery, nearly died—reports are that the doctors said bluntly, “We’ve done all we can; it’s up to her,” and Soren held my hand to pull me through—spent August continuing to recuperate…

…and I came home in September, went back in in September, am home again now, and have begun chemotherapy this month, but, as the article says, it’s a resistant cancer.

I have no memory of most of the summer, particularly July. This is a good thing, as much of it involved various painful procedures. Family by choice and friends have helped us pull through, too many to name right now, but they have my love and adoration.

By the way: I’ve said it before: human beings are made of meat. Skin is very nice, because it keeps the meat on the inside. (Just after the surgery, I looked like uncured back; two weeks later, like aged steak.)

I will write more soon, but I did want to get a general clear update out.