Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and a Wonky Appendix!

As many of you already know, in addition to living with chronic myelogenous leukemia since 2011, I also had borderline tumors of the ovaries in 2016.

I had major abdominal surgery to remove all of my female parts, along with my omentum, twenty-five years ago. It took me a year to recover from that surgery, and I have been closely monitored ever since. Apparently, these types of tumors, even though they are slow-growing, can recur. Funny tidbit: I always thought that the longer you lived after a cancer diagnosis, the better your odds were at remaining cancer-free. Unfortunately, the opposite is true of these types of tumors.

I see my original surgeon in Palm Springs, California, at the beginning of every New Year. This year (2026), just to be “on the safe side,” we did a CT scan, as I have had a nagging, on-again, off-again, dull ache in my lower right quadrant.

Typically, a Tylenol takes care of the pain, but in my hypochondriac mind, I have been convinced for years that it was my appendix. Every single time I left the country, I prayed it did not rupture!

Having had tumors and living with cancer for the past 15 years will give you an overactive, medical-doom mind!

Anyway, the CT scan came back showing that the appendix was elongated and irregular, and should be monitored; of course. And of course, this put me into a tailspin.

This was not appendicitis, but what was it? There is always the possibility that cells from my borderline tumors attached to the appendix or surrounding areas, causing the appendix to be elongated.

This would require surgery to remove the appendix, and “looking around” to see what may, or may not be brewing. It could be a quick surgery, or it could be extensive. It's one of those "we won't know until we get in there" kind of things. Something I abhor!

So, now what? What do I do? In addition to the wonky appendix, my CA 125, which is a blood test that can indicate tumors, was also elevated. This did not overly concern me, as it is often elevated due to my chronic pleural effusion.

BUT: it is another piece to the puzzle. 

After hemming and hawing for a week, and being away from home for the past three months, I decided to fly home and repeat the scan there. The appendix did not appear to be in danger of rupturing, making that a safe option, so that is what I did.

I needed to be home, and I needed to see my kids, grandkids, and of course Teddy (the dog), too!

Once home, I had less time to sit and think about whether or not the pain was there, more or less painful, and more or less frequent. The pain was mostly like a dull ache. Nothing sharp, nothing stabbing. Just annoying and concerning.

My doctor suggested repeating the CT scan after three months, so I decided it would be wise to consult a gynecologic oncologist near home, which led me to Vanderbilt.

I was able to secure an appointment quickly,  upload my previous scans and records, and see a doctor. We discussed my history in depth, along with my current scans and predicament. 

Since I have had numerous experiences with doctors over decades, I am super picky and rarely impressed. I went into my appointment hopeful yet guarded, and I was pleasantly surprised by the level of care and compassion she displayed. She had reviewed my medical history and completely agreed with my original doctor's plan of attack.

I had the CT scan, and much to my surprise, the radiologist who read the scan did not mention my appendix, one way or another.

The doctor at Vanderbilt felt this was a good sign and did not see any evidence of any other concerning abnormalities. I felt relieved, yet apprehensive.

When I reviewed the scan with my long-time oncologist in Palm Springs, he was not comfortable with the assessment, so he requested a closer look at the CT scan by the radiologist, with special attention to the appendix.

Lo and behold, the abnormality was still there, slightly larger than before. My repeat CA 125 came back lower than before, which I considered a good thing.

This level of concern is why it is so important to build a long-term relationship with a doctor that you trust. I believe when you establish a long-term connection with a health care provider, they take a personal interest in your well-being. They get to "know " you, understand you, and are in your corner.

Had I just taken the information that there was no mention of my appendix, I would most likely have ended up in trouble.

I have a trip planned out of the country for five weeks, right around the corner, and with this ongoing saga, I was a little uncomfortable being so far from home with this issue unresolved.

Two more months down the road, another CT scan. This one was the clincher! Abnormal appendix with possible appendiceal mucinous neoplasm; aka appendix cancer.

I will admit that appendix cancer had crossed my mind, but I kept kicking that can down the road, chalking it up to my hypochondria!

Who the hell gets appendix cancer, anyway? Oh, wait! Something rare? That would be me! Ugh. 

This news definitely took the “what ifs” out of the equation, and the appendix had to come out.

While I was a little freaked out, I felt relatively calm, which is unusual for me. I felt like they would take the appendix out and find it was cancer-free. And I could go to Europe without worrying about it rupturing while I was there.

So needless to say, time is of the essence! Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a very patient patient, and when something needs to be done, I want it done ASAP!

I received the CT results on Wednesday. On Friday, they told me that I had an appointment with a surgical oncologist the following Friday. She was the director of surgery at Vanderbilt, but there was no way I could wait that long!

I was on the phone in record time. “I am REALLY hoping that you can find something sooner!” I have found that being a squeaky wheel and really kind has afforded me favorable results.

“How about Monday?”

“Perfect! I’ll be there.”

This appointment was not with the original surgeon, so I checked with the referring physician and asked her to weigh in on this change. She was on board, which gave me confidence in my decision to get the soonest possible appointment.

Having had a lot of medical issues throughout the years, I am well-versed in self-advocacy and have a pretty good gut feeling of who I will, or will not, trust with my medical care. Knowing that I had a "backup" surgeon made me feel secure in this choice.

I met with the surgeon on Monday morning. Another woman! What are the odds?

 I immediately fell in LOVE with her! And I rarely say that right out of the gate.

She was kind, patient, compassionate, and answered all of my questions. She understood my past medical history and considered previous surgeries. We discussed all of the possible scenarios, including the complications that may arise due to my previous borderline serous ovarian tumors. I felt comfortable with her knowledge and explanations, and I was ready to remove that wonky appendix: once and for all!

Best news: she could perform the surgery on Friday; the scheduled day of my original appointment. This put me a week ahead,  leaving me plenty of time to recover before our European trip in September. Score!

I couldn’t have been more grateful for how quickly things came together, leaving me less time to worry, less time to fret, and quicker to put this all behind me.

This also left enough time for my daughter to fly in from California, at her insistence. I told her not to worry, that I would be fine, but she wasn’t having any of that. She arrived late Thursday night, and we left for the hospital at 5 am.

To be continued.....

Life is good; I am blessed and grateful.

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