In September 2021, Carrie Cheatham woke up and found a lump that sent her straight to her gynecologist. When her doctor examined the area, he felt that the lump was a cyst and planned to pop it during her scheduled hysterectomy.
Carrie visited multiple doctors to discuss the lump and some other strange symptoms she was having, like heavy bleeding and a swollen ankle. Carrie felt like something more serious was plaguing her, but she could not quite figure out what it was.
In February 2022, five months after she had originally found the lump, Carrie had her hysterectomy. When her physician went to pop the cyst, it was a solid mass. The mass was removed and sent off for testing, which came back malignant (cancer). Carrie’s intuition had been right all along – the lump was much more serious than a cyst.
Carrie was diagnosed with primary Bartholin’s gland carcinoma, a rare cancer that accounts for less than 5% of all vulvar cancers and 0.001% of all gynecologic cancers in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. It typically shows up as a painless mass near the vaginal opening and is often misdiagnosed as a cyst or abscess. For that reason, Carrie encourages everyone to pay close attention to their health and to be advocates for themselves.
When given the unfortunate diagnosis, Carrie was referred to the UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center where she received care from Sarah Todd, M.D., an expert in women’s reproductive cancers and gynecologic oncologist with UofL Physicians – Gynecologic Oncology Associates.
At the Brown Cancer Center, Carrie received additional scans and testing in the hopes that all the cancer had been removed during the hysterectomy. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to a lymph node in Carrie’s pelvis.
“Primary Bartholin’s glands cancers are super uncommon, generally occurring in older women and rarely in women younger than age 50,” Dr. Todd said. “Typically, these cancers are solid and often deeply infiltrative. They are difficult to detect in their early growth, and as a result, unfortunately, approximately 20% of women have metastatic tumor to the groin nodes at the time of primary tumor diagnosis. In Carrie’s case, the cancer had uniquely spread higher up the lymphatic chain to her pelvic nodes.”
Carrie, a loving wife and mom of three boys, knew that her family, friends, faith and her team at the Brown Cancer Center would carry her through the diagnosis.
“When someone gives you that kind of news, there’s a handful of things that go through your mind,” she said. “You can count it on one hand. It’s not your job, it’s not what kind of car you drive … none of that matters.”
Carrie received 36 radiation treatments and was scheduled for five rounds of chemotherapy.
Three months after her last round of radiation, Carrie’s scans were clean. Carrie was cancer free!
Looking to stay on top of her health overall, Carrie began seeing a range of doctors.
“I switched every doctor I have over to UofL Health,” she said.
Bridget Hittepole, M.D., Carrie’s primary care provider at UofL Health, has encouraged her to pick up running again.
“It’s been hard for me to trust doctors, but to build this relationship with Dr. Hittepole and Dr. Todd and to know they’re looking after me is such a blessing,” Carrie said.
“I’m most fortunate to have gotten to know and treat Carrie over these past several years,” Dr. Todd said. “Carrie is a true warrior. The word ‘cancer’ is enough to shut many people down mentally and emotionally. Cancer can be unpredictable, painful and is not always curable. It’s scary. Carrie took her diagnosis and faced it head on. She advocated for herself every step of the way and persevered when aspects of her treatment course were especially tough. She has an inner strength that is truly admirable. I thank her for her dedication to cancer awareness and echo her call to women of all ages to not only pursue routine health screening, but to seek evaluation for any unexpected changes to their gynecologic health.”
Now, two years later, Carrie’s scans are still clear, which she credits to Dr. Todd and her team, who regularly review her case and progress. Carrie is now an advocate for others encouraging them to get screened for cancer, know your body and speak up when something doesn’t seem right. She also encourages those who are diagnosed with cancer to seek care with the team that saved her life.
“Go to the Brown Cancer Center,” Carrie shares. “There are so many things they can do and try.”
About UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center
For the past 40 years, UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center has been a leading face of world-renowned academic research and cancer care. As a result, we help patients face cancer with new hope throughout Kentuckiana and around the globe. Call 502-562-HOPE (4673) to learn more and make an appointment.
