Hello Readers.
On Monday September 16, 2024, I went under the knife to reverse the temporary colostomy I had placed December 23. Just months ago, I received an all clear with no evidence of disease from both pancreatic and colon cancers. Still, what my surgeon found tells an absolutely different story. To her surprise, multiple nodules were found in my abdominal wall (peritoneum). She took multiple samples for pathology, and then went about improving my quality of life by reversing the colostomy.
I am SO thankful for my body digesting and eliminating as it was designed to do. Temporary Tina (TT) the stoma is in the history books.
I was in a post-operative drug addled haze when my surgeon relayed the good and bad news. I didn’t understand what she meant until rereading the first pathology and speaking to Tiffany (who spoke to my surgeon alongside my husband). No one, including my surgeon, was prepared to find more cancer. It was a full helping of shock and awe.
Again, for clarity, my March 2024 CT, April 2024 colonoscopy, and July 2024 labs were all normal. All indicators pointed to a clean bill of health with no evidence of disease (NED).
To go from no evidence of disease to metastatic cancer patient is a surrealistic ride. I want off it right now.
Can you imagine the thoughts in my head? Mainstream medicine, with all its promises has both helped, harmed, and failed me. I have endured toxic and poisonous chemotherapy, not once, but twice. The daily reminders of neuropathy and traumatic side effects hang heavily within and without. Through multiple invasive GI surgeries that healed me by violence has left body deeply scarred, traumatized, and internally renovated. I have done everything asked of me and more.
How in the flying monkeys is this real?!
How were my recent July labs pristine with this number of murderous nodules trying to kill me?
So, what’s next?
First, the second pathology report defining which cancer metastasized is still in process. Though the general expert thoughts are the adenocarcinoma is from the colon cancer. Until the pathology report results, there is no knowing which cancer is the culprit. Due to a better prognosis, I am hoping against hope it is the colon cancer.
What bizarre planet do I exist on where I am wishing upon a specific cancer star?
Second, I met with an integrative oncology physician today. It was a fruitful appointment that covered several aspects of care including nutrition, supplements, non-toxic treatments, exercise, and stress management. I will keep relationship with my regular oncologist and pursue clinically appropriate treatment with her as well. Integrative medicine is using many different tools in a basket.
Third, I’m going to tap deeply into my communities for resources, referrals, and support so I can fight this.
Even with all of that is to come, I am not scared. I am disappointed. I am tired of this continued fight. And I am at peace.
I believe with my whole being I have time to fight this well. My healthy and strong body has more to give. My heart has so much more love to offer and get. My hands have more healing to give. My sarcasm has more jokes and laughter to create.
Don’t you dare count me out yet. I am definitely hard to kill, and this feels like a dare. I rarely lose a dare.

Beauty and life stay within this scarred and ravaged body.
Desirre
1 October 2024
Desirre Andrews, RN, BSN, CPM, RM, Brain Squirrel Wrangler
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