After about a year of working with a GI doctor to figure out unexplained bleeding and anemia, I was referred for iron infusions. I was initially being seen at a local hematology/oncology clinic, where a nurse practitioner noticed that things weren’t quite adding up. She really listened to what I was describing, and instead of ordering another scope, she sent me for a CT scan. That’s when they discovered a 10.3 cm mass in my abdomen — this was in late September 2024.
Initially, they thought it might be ovarian, and I was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery in October. But when they went in, they realized the mass was actually adhered to my intestines, and I had additional tumors elsewhere. The surgery ended up being six hours long and very complex. Recovery was rough, and I was transferred to a specialized cancer center for further care. I started on oral treatment, but I wasn’t getting better and continued experiencing nausea, pain, and poor appetite. A follow-up scan revealed a tumor-bowel fistula and significant inflammation, which meant I needed a second surgery.
That second surgery was in April 2025. I advocated for better postoperative support and pain management, and the recovery went much more smoothly. There were still some setbacks — including an infected drain — but I eventually began to feel more stable. The best news? My pathology came back showing no cancer cells. I’m still on oral treatment and will be monitored with scans every few months. I’m hopeful I’ve made it through the worst of it.
Ari’s LifeList:
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Trip to Doha Qatar for the 2025 World Rapid/Blitz Championship
- Meet Magnus Carlsen