Ok lets see where to start...I had my follow up PET scan done a couple of weeks ago. The results confirmed what the CT had already revealed. Yes, it's cancer. Not surprised, not upset. It is what it is...
Dr. Kilgore told me that they would discuss it at tumor board on Jan 25th, which they did. The board feels that I have 3 possible options. (Options is becoming one of my favorite words)
1. Radiation (Less invasive but has its good and bad aspects)
2. Surgery (Risky because the lesion is right at the Vena Cava and Aorta)
3. Chemo (Gemzar and Taxotere which is the chemo I had in 2007. Let's just say, IT SUCKED!)
Dr. Kilgore consulted Radiation Oncology and I met with Dr. Green at UT today. Dr. Green was super nice, attentive, informative and personable.
Dr. Green told me that they could probably radiate but there would be more logistics that would need to be worked out to be sure that the area had not been radiated before. They're still not 100% sure and need to get more details from the radiologist that treated me before. However, he told me that if it were him, he would have the surgery first and then if I needed radiation after that than do it. If we radiate before surgery and don't get good results, then the surgery will be more difficult to do. Makes sense. So, I'm leaning toward surgery. I don't think that Dr. Kilgore would take un-necessary risks and if he started surgery and saw that it was too risky, he would stop. He told me that he would have 2 other surgeons with him. I'm sure a vascular surgeon would be one of them. The neat thing is that Dr. Green (Rad/Onc) is also on the tumor board so he was there for the discussion on Wednesday. Anyway, I would much rather be facing surgery than facing Chemo again. So, I'm ok with it all.
Dr. Green did say that he didn't understand why my tumor hadn't grown as fast or spread like they usually do with my type of cancer. I told him that I hoped and prayed that it was attributed to the other modalities I'm doing (laser, magnetics, acupuncture, boosting my immunity) And my prayer warriors. I told him that when I'm not in pain, or looking at my bald head in the mirror or feeling the effects of chemo, I don't feel like I have cancer. There are days that I ask myself if this is just a dream or do I really have cancer?
So, the plan now is to meet with Dr. Kilgore and discuss surgery. I suspect it will occur in the spring because I need to strategically plan it so I can use my short term or long term disability if needed. As of April 5th I will have been with my company for a year. (I think I did the math right, can't believe its already been that long!)
So, there ya go...that's it for now. Staying positive and enjoying life and it's daily blessings~
Dr. Kilgore told me that they would discuss it at tumor board on Jan 25th, which they did. The board feels that I have 3 possible options. (Options is becoming one of my favorite words)
1. Radiation (Less invasive but has its good and bad aspects)
2. Surgery (Risky because the lesion is right at the Vena Cava and Aorta)
3. Chemo (Gemzar and Taxotere which is the chemo I had in 2007. Let's just say, IT SUCKED!)
Dr. Kilgore consulted Radiation Oncology and I met with Dr. Green at UT today. Dr. Green was super nice, attentive, informative and personable.
Dr. Green told me that they could probably radiate but there would be more logistics that would need to be worked out to be sure that the area had not been radiated before. They're still not 100% sure and need to get more details from the radiologist that treated me before. However, he told me that if it were him, he would have the surgery first and then if I needed radiation after that than do it. If we radiate before surgery and don't get good results, then the surgery will be more difficult to do. Makes sense. So, I'm leaning toward surgery. I don't think that Dr. Kilgore would take un-necessary risks and if he started surgery and saw that it was too risky, he would stop. He told me that he would have 2 other surgeons with him. I'm sure a vascular surgeon would be one of them. The neat thing is that Dr. Green (Rad/Onc) is also on the tumor board so he was there for the discussion on Wednesday. Anyway, I would much rather be facing surgery than facing Chemo again. So, I'm ok with it all.
Dr. Green did say that he didn't understand why my tumor hadn't grown as fast or spread like they usually do with my type of cancer. I told him that I hoped and prayed that it was attributed to the other modalities I'm doing (laser, magnetics, acupuncture, boosting my immunity) And my prayer warriors. I told him that when I'm not in pain, or looking at my bald head in the mirror or feeling the effects of chemo, I don't feel like I have cancer. There are days that I ask myself if this is just a dream or do I really have cancer?
So, the plan now is to meet with Dr. Kilgore and discuss surgery. I suspect it will occur in the spring because I need to strategically plan it so I can use my short term or long term disability if needed. As of April 5th I will have been with my company for a year. (I think I did the math right, can't believe its already been that long!)
So, there ya go...that's it for now. Staying positive and enjoying life and it's daily blessings~
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3 comments:
So Thankful for this Cathie.....that you have some options, that is such great news..Thank the Lord.. Love you,Michelle
I love you so much my dear sister. I thank God for the inspiration you are to me, and multitudes of people.
Peace, Cyndi
I love you, Mama!
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