Important Updates

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We’re still trying to process things and figure out the best path forward, but I was notified on Wednesday morning by Interventional Radiology that they will no longer do the hepatic artery embolization for me. The MRI I had last Friday provided more detail that apparently made them think the procedure wouldn’t be successful or wise to move forward with. 

So at this time, no one in conventional oncology has treatment to offer me unless I decide to do chemo. And the pressure to do it is Intense, despite crappy statistics and terrible risks. If I chose to do it, it could take weeks before it worked, and by “worked,” I mean slowing growth, Possibly stopping it. But not making it go away: not the metastases, and definitely not the cancer itself. It would weaken my immune system and entire body, which, I kind of need… and then I would need to continue on that chemo until it stopped working or I couldn’t tolerate it anymore. Then I’d be back in the same boat I’m in now. But even weaker. 

Conventional oncology has never had a cure for me. All they hope to do is kick the can down the road a little farther. Well, that isn’t good enough for me. It’s completely unacceptable. Which is why I have been exploring and trying countless alternative treatments for the last few years, and why I continue to do so. I’m working hard to strengthen and heal my body, mind, and spirit despite the enormous financial burden. I won’t get into the asinine world of insurance coverage for chemo but not modalities that Help people Heal or feel Better… 

As I said, there’s a lot to process and figure out now. While I’m working and praying for healing, I’m also praying I don’t end up in an emergency situation. It’s a very lonely and scary road to be on, but I refuse to give up or give in to pressures for something I do not think is right for me. 

This Thanksgiving, and every day, I am extremely grateful for my husband and his undying support, our wonderful children, families, and friends, the providers and professionals who support and believe in me, God, my angels and ancestors for guiding me, and for each day I get to continue to be here with my family. 

I’m on my own path, and while I have no idea where it’s going to take me, I’d rather have this journey than simply jump off a cliff. When I find my way, I’ll come back for others ❤️

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Published by Lauren

Welcome! Thank you for being here! My name is Lauren Doyle. My husband and I have been married since 2013, and together since 2011. We have 2 wonderful kids and live in the Twin Cities suburbs. I have both a Master’s and a Doctorate and am a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. I also have the student loans to prove it. In 2019 our lives were turned upside down. Our daughter was born with a serious heart defect that required open heart surgery when she was just 5 days old. A couple weeks after her birth (while she was still in the hospital), I found a mass in my abdomen which required major emergency surgery to remove. At first, we were told it was just a fibroid; we learned about a week later that the mass was a rare and aggressive type of cancer – leiomyosarcoma. Through multiple surgeries and chemo, I have come out the other side, changed in many ways. I am now considered Stage IV, with a chemo-induced heart condition, and struggle with several other severe side effects from treatments. I continue to work and live and love as best as I can. I will not claim to have all the answers about anything, but I can tell you I have learned a LOT in my 35+ years of life thus far. My passion has always been helping and educating people in whatever ways possible. I am hoping this blog will allow me to do that for a broader population beyond the patients I see at work, share my unique journey, and help keep friends and family in the loop along the way. Thank you again for being here.

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