My friend Kim is a Godsend! She took Gabriel yesterday for the afternoon which stretched into an overnight stay through the afternoon. He so needed the break as did my parents. And Kim's family kept him so busy he was almost sleep-walking when he came home. Thank you Kim and family!
Today was 1) the post-operative appointment with Dr. Berrey (surgeon) and 2) the consultation with Dr. Indelicato (Radiologist). The consult appt was first, but I'll start with the post-op appt.
The knee, she is healing well. I can now take a shower! Meaning I can now get my leg wet. Oh, what joy! The knee must still stay in the immobilizer. It appeared there might be a slight infection at one point on the suture line, so I am on antibiotics for the week. Final diagnosis? Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath. The tumor was removed, and the margins are good (relatively speaking given where it was located). Dr. Berrey's recommendation? Radiation. Why? To ensure that any residual cancer cells are eradicated. Here's the deal. When a soft tissue tumor is removed it is good practice to remove at least 1-3 cm of the surrounding soft tissue. This is to be sure all the tumor cells are removed. The problem is that there isn't much soft tissue in the knee. Even 1 cm is hard to find in the knee. So, while the margins, what could be managed in the knee, are good, it is possible some of the tumor cells were left behind. So, better safe than sorry.
When we met with Dr. Indelicato regarding radiation, he said there are two approaches; a) Observation with MRI/CT scans every 3 months, and b) Radiation. The pro about observation is that it is possible all the cancer was removed and no additional action is necessary - no radiation, etc. The con is that if the cancer returns it means radiation and possibly additional surgery. The pro about radiation is that we minimize the likelihood of the cancer returning. The con is that there are risks - skin issues during and after radiation, more fragile femur and tibia (leading to breaks), arthritis, additional scar tissue limiting mobility. Mom asked a very good question; what is the likelihood of the cancer returning with and without radiation. Dr. Indelicato's response pretty much made my decision. Without radiation, there is a 50% chance the cancer will return in the same or a different place. With radiation, that goes down to 5-10%.
I had already been leaning towards radiation, but that pretty much sealed it. Then when Dr. Berrey also recommended radiation, there was no doubt in my mind. I'll take the risks, none of which are guaranteed, to minimize the risk of the cancer coming back, which is also not guaranteed. What do I have to lose? Time and money. What do I have to gain? A longer, cancer-free life.
So, I'll be getting an appt in about two weeks for my set-up appt. This is when I get a CT scan which will determine the radiation boundaries, establish the exact positioning of my body for radiation, and determine the radiation course that is best for me. My radiation will begin mid-September and continue for five weeks, five days a week, roughly one hour a day. I likely will not be getting the more desirable Proton Therapy treatment. The treatment runs into the six digits in cost. And in the words of Dr. Indelicato, Proton Therapy is reserved for folks with 'big C'. Meaning, my cancer is 'little C'.
'Little C'. Does anyone have any idea how heavenly those two small words are? I have 'little C'. I have cancer. But it's not life-threatening. It is more of an expensive side trip. It is incredible what an impact the words 'little C' had not only on me but also my parents and DH. You could literally see the little stress bubbles above everyone's head popping out of existence. 'Little C'. How nice to only have 'little C'. I have a long life ahead of me and though I was hopeful that was indeed the case, it is wonderful that by putting me in the 'little C' column, the doctors have confirmed that indeed I do have a long life to look forward to.
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