From Menstrual Cramps to a Life-Threatening Diagnosis

In 2016, Amber McFarland began experiencing sudden, intense pain and heavy blood loss. “At first, I assumed it was just an unusually bad period and pushed through the pain,” shares Amber. “Looking back, I now realize those were early warning signs of fibroids and endometriosis.”

Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus, often causing heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and abdominal pressure. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often affecting the pelvic organs and other areas, leading to severe pain and discomfort. Both conditions can significantly impact daily life and usually require medical treatment for relief.

Learn more about the cause of endometriosis and how it’s diagnosed and treated.

<br>The Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment

After moving to Austin in 2018, Amber’s partner encouraged her to seek medical help. With his support, she began her journey to identify and treat her condition. She found a gynecologist who guided her through various treatment options. Initially, they tried less invasive approaches, such as birth control in the form of an IUD, to regulate her symptoms.

“We did everything possible to avoid a hysterectomy,” explains Amber. “I was terrified of losing my femininity. For me, it wasn’t about having child, but I had always associated my identity as a woman to my reproductive organs.”

By 2020, Amber’s condition worsened. She began hemorrhaging, leading to hormone therapy and minor surgery to remove some endometriosis and a cyst. While these treatments provided temporarily relief, the pain and blood loss soon returned.

“I knew something was seriously wrong when I couldn’t walk into the grocery store without feeling faint, struggled to climb stairs, and was too weak to even carry my cat,” says Amber.

Amber was later diagnosed with two blood clots in her leg and one in her lung. She was hospitalized and received three blood transfusions. Her gynecologist recommended more aggressive treatment options. They removed the IUD and she received a Lupron shot, which provided some relief, but her symptoms continued to worsen.

Over the following months, her fibroids grew larger, and her gynecologist expressed concern over the changes. Even after Lupron shots and ultrasounds, the large fibroid showed no signs of shrinking.

In June 2024, Amber’s leg painfully swelled. “I had numbness from my foot up to my thigh and into my glutes,” recalls Amber. “It was very painful, but I could still walk.”

Despite being on blood thinners, the swelling didn’t subside. Given her history of blood clots, Amber was referred to a cardiologist, who advised her to go to the ER immediately. A CT scan revealed share had a large mass that could be cancerous affecting her lymph nodes. One of these nodes was obstructing an artery in her leg and compromising her kidney function. Although Amber’s symptoms were initially attributed to fibroids, this new combination of symptoms indicated a far more serious condition.

A Path to Recovery

“My gynecologist told me she wanted me to receive the best possible care, and these were the people she trusted,” says Amber. “She assured me that I was going to be so impressed with their team and the resources they offered, and she was right.”

Amber was referred to Nerlyne Desravines, MD, a fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist in both Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes.

“Dr. Desravines was amazing from the start,” shares Amber. “She’s so straightforward and funny, and she really knows how to put you at ease. She’s down-to-earth and relatable on a human level.”

On June 24, 2024, Amber was scheduled for a full hysterectomy. “Within a week, the Gynecologic Oncology care team arranged everything and scheduled my surgery,” continues Amber. “They were even open to sharing details about my condition with my loved ones so they could better support me through this journey.”

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<br>Amber’s surgery was complex. While Dr. Desravines successfully removed her uterus, she couldn’t safely extract the affected lymph node, as it was tightly intertwined with an artery and the ureter. A urologist was brought in to place a stent in Amber’s ureter to allow proper kidney function.

“Recovery was challenging, but the swelling in my leg went down quickly, and the pain was minimal,” recalls Amber. “Everything I was initially feared seemed so ridiculous, because I felt amazing. My body healed fast, and I credit that to Dr. Desravines and her team.”

Once Amber healed from surgery, she was scheduled for six rounds of chemotherapy. “What really stood out was Dr. Desravines’ enthusiasm about our treatment options,” adds Amber. “She reassured us that even if one treatment didn’t work out, there were alternatives. My partner and I left feeling truly motivated and confident. Knowing we had such a proactive and supportive team made preparing for chemotherapy and organizing everything, from the house to informing friends, much more manageable.”

Expert Care Offers New Hope

The Gynecologic Oncology care team is comprised of nationally recognized and highly specialized physicians and care providers. In addition to Dr. Desravines, M. Yvette Williams-Brown, MD, MMS, FACOG, is a distinguished fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist in both Women’s Health and UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes. Dr. Williams-Brown serves as an associate professor and the Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology for the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health. She also serves as a courtesy associate professor and the Program Director for the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship for the Dell Medical School Department of Oncology.

Both Dr. Desravines and Dr. Williams-Brown work alongside a team of women’s health experts that may include radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncofertility specialists, onco-psychiatrists, genetic counselors, physical therapists, dietitians, social workers, and more to provide unparalleled care for patients every step of the way.

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<br>Amber’s care team included Jillian Bissar, MSSW, LCSW-S, a licensed clinical social worker in Livestrong Cancer Institutes and member of the Health Social Work care team, and Sarah Wilson Poole, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, a licensed family nurse practitioner in both Women’s Health and the Livestrong Cancer Institutes.

“I’d never seen a counselor before meeting Jillian,” notes Amber. “She’s been phenomenal—not just with listening but also helping me find resources I didn’t even realize were available.”

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<br>“Sarah and I have been in communication the most,” adds Amber. “She’s such a lovely person, always so positive, and that has really helped me stay optimistic.”

Following her hysterectomy, Amber began chemotherapy. “I’ve completed two rounds of chemo so far,” shares Amber. “While it’s scary, I’ve never doubted that I would get through it. The Gynecologic Oncology team’s optimism and clear approach to my care have given me confidence in both myself and their expertise.”

For more information about the Gynecologic Oncology service offered through Women’s Health or to request an appointment, call 1-512-324-3028 or visit here.