Story of Survivorship – Christine Stickle Esposito

In October 2012, at the age of 45, I was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer after 18 months of receiving treatment for a gastrointestinal illness that I did not have.  I credit the last gastrointestinal doctor I went to for saving my life; he was able to see it was not a GI issue that was causing my problems.

Following his direction, I went to a gynecologist.  I told the gynecologist I thought it was a “cyst” that had been causing my pain.  She discovered my right fallopian tube was filled with what she thought was fluid.  The tube looked like a very large sausage link wrapped around my ovary.  When the pathology results came back, the doctor was surprised to discover it was not a fluid-filled tube, but a tumor.  I was diagnosed with high grade three fallopian tube carcinoma; this cancer behaves like and is treated as ovarian cancer.  Soon after, they found the same thing in my left fallopian tube and uterus.  I am currently undergoing continuing chemotherapy treatment.

Prior to this, I worked as a nurse.  While I miss being a nurse and caring for my patients, my passion is photography.  I have recently started La Vita e’ Bella – Photography by Christine Esposito.  Life truly is beautiful and I strive to capture the precious moments that we too often miss in the business of life.  I believe there is a reason for everything that I have gone and am going through.  Through all of this, I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.

I am married to George Esposito and have three children, Kayla, Luke and Sean and one granddaughter, Khloe.  We are currently awaiting the arrival of our second grandchild in July!

(Photo: Christine Stickle Esposito; 2013 Cancer Institute Holiday Card artist and fallopian tube cancer survivor)