Surgeon, Dr. Newman

We meet with Dr. Newman to discuss the mass and how to remove it. He, too is certain it is soft tissue sarcoma. He is also certain that we will take it out, do a course of radiation and I will be fine. He even stops himself because he doesn't want to go any further with any discussions until he knows for sure what we are dealing with. He is the first doctor to keep open speculation to a minimum. He could see that we were terrified and he didn't want to add to our stress until he was certain. We were aware of the theories but we would have to wait until they took it out and looked at it. Surgery was scheduled for 4/3/08.

Oncologist

I visit the oncologist for his opinion. He is tripped up by the lymphoma diagnosis and doesn't understand why they haven't begun a treatment plan. He places a call to the doctors involved thus far and moves to his opinion....soft tissue sarcoma. He is pretty sure that it is soft tissue sarcoma. Surgery to remove the tumor is the next course of action followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. Based on the size the tumor is measuring, the news is not great. It is a size that would dictate, easily stage 4 cancer. We look to the surgeon for his opinion. All the while, the kids obviously can sense that something is wrong but until we know exactly what we are facing, Scott and I choose to keep them out of our discussions.

Still Waiting

A week came and went. I placed a call to the hospital to find out when they expected to know the results. They had sent the biopsies out for additional stainning. What ever that means?!?! It isn't until after a week and a half do we hear anything. The results are inconclusive! They know nothing more today than they did when we started with the pain management doctor. To this point no one has told me what they think this mass is other than I need to get going on treatment. The pain management doctor submits a referral for a consultation with an oncologist. So I make the appointment...

CT Guided Needle Biopsy

I get checked into the hospital for the CT guided needle biopsy. Scott and my dad are with me. They take me alone into the room. The CT scan of the mass allows them to know exactly where to place the needle. After they locate the tumor they numb the area and insert the barrel type needle that stays in during the procedure. The showed me the "gun" and let me hear what it sounds like before they start. It was startling, sounding like a staple gun so I was grateful they didn't surprise me with it while it was cutting me. The technician assisting the doctor is the same technician that did my scan the week before. He was a very kind gentleman who held my hand throughout the procedure. I will always be grateful for his kindness and compassion. He was about the same age as my dad and I felt that he was actually there with me. I was shaking with fear and then the pain came. Initially there was no pain but following the first slice it started to burn. They injected more lidocane but that burned, too. After several slices I refused any more injections because they were just as painful as the slices. They offered no relief. They sent they biopsies to pathology and we waited to hear the results.

Repeat CT Scan With and Without Contrast

I visit the hospital for a repeat CT scan with and without contrast. We learn that they are looking to see if the tumors have spread anywhere else in the body. Scott has spoken with the pain management doctor several times for answers. He conveys to him that he needs to get me somewhere quickly for care, i.e. The City of Hope or UCLA. It is urgent and these facilities were the best that could be offered to someone like me. Scott's mom has a friend over at The City of Hope and together we get registered to see a doctor.

Needle Biopsy is Ordered

A CT guided needle biopsy is ordered based upon the CT results. The hospital where this is to be done first wants to repeat the CT scan. For reasons they only know, I need to repeat everything over again. First I would have to pick up copies and reports of my scans. Like any terrified patient who seeks information, I read the reports. I probably shouldn't have but I didn't know what everyone was so excited about. Why did I need to repeat everything and why did they want to stick a needle into my back? Why, I thought don't they just take this thing out and everything would go back to normal. Lymphoma of the intra-abdominal nodes is why! That was the diagnosis, lymphoma!!

Another CT Scan....WITH Contrast

It turns out they DO scan with contrast on this part of the body. I picked up the gallons of chalky drink and return to be scanned. It was quick and easy and still easy to read this poor woman trying to convince me everything was okay. We both knew it wasn't!

CT Scan

This ball did get rolling and I was set to take a CT scan of my lower back, with and without contrast. When I arrived to have the scan they inform me that they don't do scans with contrast on that area of the body. The CT was uneventlful and I went home to wait the results. I was certain their was a mass/tumor inside this swelling on my back and the technician who did my scan didn't hide it as well as she probably thought she did. The minute she came back into the room, it was written all over her face that I had something to worry about.

Pain Management

I visited the pain management doctor and immediatly he voiced his fears, kidney cancer! I was alone and terrified! I thought, for sure this doctor knows what he is talking about or he wouldn't have uttered those words. Scott jumped in his car and came and got me in Pasadena. This was when the ball truly started rolling for me.