Michael Montez

Alison’s Health Update

Last updated: November 5, 2026

OUTLOOK: We’ll know more once her doctors see how the cancer responds to treatment.

TL;DR

  • Alison has cancer. A colorectal tumor was found in September.
  • Her doctors have confirmed a gynecologic cancer (endometrioid adenocarcinoma) that has grown into the colorectal wall.
  • The tumor is about 4 cm and appears to have grown into the back of the uterus. Multiple nearby lymph nodes look suspicious on MRI.
  • It is stage IVA: the cancer has grown into the lining of the bowel, but scans, including a PET/CT on October 26, show no spread outside the pelvis.
  • Alison completed her first round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on November 5. The next round is November 23. Surgery may follow after the first 3 rounds.
  • We’ll update this page as treatment goes on.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, checked in, and shared meals with us these past few weeks. Your kindness has made a hard time easier, and we’re grateful for every message, call, and dish.

What happened

Alison’s colorectal bleeding started in August and got worse. A CT scan on September 13 showed a colorectal area that needed a closer look. A colonoscopy on September 28 found a mass, and biopsies confirmed cancer (adenocarcinoma).

What we know

Type of cancer. A colorectal tumor is usually colorectal cancer. Alison’s is not. On October 21 her gynecologic oncologist reviewed the case with pathology and medical oncology and concluded it is clearly a gynecologic cancer that has grown into the colorectal wall. On October 29 her doctors described it as endometrioid adenocarcinoma, the most common type of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). It started either in the lining of the uterus or in endometriosis tissue in the pelvis. Treatment is the same either way.

Size and extent. An MRI on October 13 showed a tumor about 4 cm long that appears to have grown into the back wall of the uterus. Multiple lymph nodes near the tumor and one farther out in the pelvis look suspicious.

Stage. Her doctors classify the cancer as stage IVA. For this cancer, IVA means it has grown into the lining of the bowel. It does not mean it has spread to distant organs; the scans show none.

Spread. CT scans of her abdomen (Sep 13) and chest (Oct 19), plus the pelvic MRI, show no sign of spread to distant organs. A PET/CT scan on October 26 checked from the head to the thighs and found no sign of cancer outside the pelvis.

Treatment plan. On October 29 a tumor board (specialists who review a case together) recommended starting with chemotherapy and immunotherapy to shrink the tumor before any surgery, and Alison agreed. The November 2 surgery is postponed. Treatment combines two chemotherapy drugs, paclitaxel (Taxol) and carboplatin, with an immunotherapy drug, dostarlimab (Jemperli). It is given by IV every 3 weeks for 6 rounds (about 4 months), then dostarlimab alone every 6 weeks. She completed round 1 on November 5; round 2 is November 23. Her doctors chose immunotherapy because of a feature found in the tumor. Her surgeon said surgery may be possible after 3 rounds and radiation after 6.

Genetics. A lab test on the tumor led her doctors to recommend genetic counseling. Genetic testing results are pending. If the results matter for blood relatives, we will contact those family members directly.

What’s next

  • Check-in with her nurse practitioner — Thursday, November 12.
  • Visits with her dietitian and supportive-care team — Tuesday, November 17.
  • Round 2 of chemotherapy and immunotherapy — Monday, November 23.
  • Rounds continue every 3 weeks for 6 rounds, then dostarlimab alone every 6 weeks.
  • Possible surgery after 3 rounds.
  • Genetic testing results.
  • Follow-up with her GI doctor.

Timeline

  • August — Colorectal bleeding begins and gets worse over the following weeks.
  • Sep 13 — Visit to Providence Portland Medical Center for worsening colorectal bleeding. CT scan shows a colorectal area of about 4 cm; colonoscopy recommended.
  • Sep 28 — Colonoscopy. Small growths removed; one was a common precancerous polyp, which only means regular follow-up colonoscopies. Biopsy taken from the colorectal mass.
  • Oct 7–8 — Biopsy result: cancer (adenocarcinoma). A specialist review finds the cells look gynecologic, not colorectal. Her GI doctor says MRI, CT, and review by an oncologist and surgeon are the next steps. A second biopsy is taken on Oct 8.
  • Oct 13 — Second biopsy confirms the gynecologic pattern; genetic counseling recommended. Pelvic MRI shows the tumor’s size, its growth into the uterus, and suspicious lymph nodes, with no distant spread seen.
  • Oct 16 — Bloodwork, including two tumor markers; both in the normal range.
  • Oct 19 — CT scan of the chest: no sign of spread to the lungs or chest.
  • Oct 21 — Consult with a gynecologic oncologist at Providence Cancer Institute. Confirms a gynecologic cancer, orders a PET/CT, and recommends surgery first if the PET/CT shows no other areas.
  • Oct 26 — PET/CT scan: no sign of cancer outside the pelvis.
  • Oct 29 — Follow-up with her surgeon. A tumor board recommends chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery; the November 2 surgery is postponed.
  • Nov 5 — First round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
  • Next — Check-in with her nurse practitioner (Nov 12), dietitian and supportive-care visits (Nov 17), and round 2 (Nov 23).

How to Help

  • If you’re local to Portland and would like some face time or a visit, text or call us for the best days and times and we’ll block out some time.
  • Chemotherapy weakens the immune system, so please don’t visit if you’re sick, even with a cold.
  • Meals help during treatment. For now her care team has her on a low-fiber diet (no raw vegetables or high-fiber foods), so please check with us first.
  • Help with groceries, errands, and chores is welcome during treatment.
  • Texts, cards, and emails are welcome. Please don’t expect a quick reply.
  • Please share this page rather than passing on news secondhand, so everyone gets accurate information.
  • Consider donating blood. People in cancer treatment often rely on the blood supply.

Recommendations

We’d like to urge everyone reading this to take care of their own health:

  • Establish care with a primary care provider (PCP), and use your yearly visit to stay current on recommended cancer screenings.
  • If cancer runs in your family (several relatives on the same side, cancer diagnosed before age 50, or a relative with ovarian or pancreatic cancer), ask your doctor about genetic counseling. A genetic counselor can tell you whether testing makes sense and which test.
  • Don’t ignore new bleeding when you go to the bathroom, or a change in bathroom habits that doesn’t go away. See a doctor, even if you think it’s minor.
  • Colorectal cancer screening now starts at age 45 for adults at average risk. If you’re 45 or older and haven’t been screened, ask your doctor.

Change log

  • Nov 5, 2026 — Added first treatment and upcoming appointments; added diet note to How to Help.
  • Oct 29, 2026 — Updated diagnosis, stage, and treatment plan (chemotherapy and immunotherapy first; surgery postponed); replaced the prognosis line with an outlook line; updated How to Help.
  • Oct 27, 2026 — Added PET/CT result and a thank-you note; updated prognosis line, treatment plan, and next steps.
  • Oct 25, 2026 — Added PET/CT, follow-up, and surgery dates.
  • Oct 22, 2026 — Added the Oct 21 gynecologic oncology consult, PET/CT, and treatment plan; filled in How to Help; added Recommendations; updated prognosis.
  • Oct 21, 2026 — Added prognosis line, How to Help section, and links to medical terms.
  • Oct 20, 2026 — Page created.