Morphing into Frankenstein’s Wife …

November 21, 2018

I’m beginning to look like the wife of Frankenstein. It seems like every 2 weeks, I’m being diagnosed with something else or I’m being chopped up into little bits.

November 8th: Stitch removal day.

Thank God; because these stitches were beyond irritating. My body clearly did not like the stitches. The area had been inflamed since day 1, fluid continued to draining from the area, and the incision started to re-open and bleed as the nurse performed the stitch removal. I also had a stitch that got embedded into my new skin growth that had to be removed by reopening the area with a scalpel (ouch).

While the nurse removed my stitches, Dr. Wangia noticed two more strange looking moles on the right of my back (both near my original melanoma site). “We should biopsy these just to be safe”, he said. “Agreed. Cut-me-up-Doc” I said. “You’ll have the results in about two weeks” said Dr. Wangia. Great. Another waiting game.

November 13th,

My cell phone rings in the middle of my morning class. I recognized the number immediately – My CT results are in !! Without hesitation, I answered the phone in the middle of class.

The diagnosis: “There were no tumors visible on the CT scan and your lymph nodes are of normal size. However, we did find something on your ovaries”. Fucking great. “You have an engorged ovarian vein also known as pelvic congestion syndrome. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with your OB.” Just fucking great.

Pelvic congestion syndrome is caused from an engorged vein that begins in the ovaries and travels down into the left leg. The engorged vein is usually a result of multiple pregnancies or having a job that requires you to be on your feet all day. Check and Check. The one symptom of pelvic congestion syndrome that I’ve experienced is that during my monthly cycle, this vein causes a great-deal of pain in my left leg, making it uncomfortable to walk. It also isn’t visually pleasing as it looks like a thick, blue and purple roped thrombosed vein that begins in the upper-inner-thigh and travels down to my calf.

Scheduled OB visit: December 12th. More than likely another surgery is to follow to fix this new diagnosis.

I’m literally falling apart.

On a positive note, it wasn’t cancer.

November 20th,

My cell phone rings in the middle of my morning class (again) – lol. It was Dr. Wangia. My biopsy results must me in. Without hesitation, I answered the phone.

“Mrs. Kozma. Your biopsy results have returned. Both spots removed from your back are severe dysplastic nevi – precancer. We need to schedule you for another surgery right away.” ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME. “We have availability this afternoon at 2:30” the nurse says. I took the appointment.

Trying to finish class in good spirits was quite challenging. My students could tell something wasn’t quite right, but were too afraid to ask.

After class I messaged my husband and my mom. I then had to find a ride to-and-from the doctors office as driving after surgery would be very uncomfortable; so I called a very good friend of mine to take me as my husband needed to stay home with the kids. Without hesitation – and even canceling plans with his girlfriend – he agreed to take me to the doctor. Patrick, you are an amazing person.

The procedure that was done to remove the precancerous tissue was very similar to the surgery that was done to remove the melanoma; except this time, they only needed to cut to the fatty tissue layer rather than cut deep to the muscle layer. Both locations required between 12-14 stitches each and took about 1.5 hours to complete. Laying on my stomach for that long trying not to move was quite challenging. Especially since Patrick tried to cheer me up with laughter during the procedure. Not to mention that the numbing medication continued to dissipate throughout the 1.5 hours and I continually had to be stuck with needles to remain numb.

Once the procedure on my back was complete, I pointed out another spot on my stomach that had been removed years prior and was diagnosed as severe dysplastic nevi in 2015. Within the last year or so the dark coloration had returned; so before leaving, the doctor decided to do a punch biopsy on my stomach – 4 more stitches. Hopefully this new biopsy will return clean. Otherwise, another repeat surgery will be required.

I am literally turning into the wife of Frankenstein  

November 21st,

As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, I am doing my best to focus on how thankful I am for so many things. I am thankful that God spoke to me 6 weeks ago and sent me to the doctor to investigate the initial spot on my arm. I am thankful that an amazing neighbor of mine referred me to a doctor who found my original melanoma and is now finding other precancerous lesions. I am thankful for my family and friends who would drop anything to care for me; and I am thankful for continuing to be considered Stage 1 Melanoma. It could be so much worse.

For now, I’ll just continue to pray that this NEW biopsy on my stomach comes back clean and that my OB can find a good solution for my pelvic congestion syndrome.

I can do this. There will be light at the end of the tunnel.