A great deal was accomplished today! It began by rising at 4 a.m. to be at Hendersonville (TN) Medical Center at 6 a.m. About 8 a.m. radioactive material was injected around the site where the tumor had been removed. The idea being that this material flows to the nearest places (specifically lymph nodes) where cancer might spread. In my case it would be toward the left neck or the left armpit—it was the armpit. Then, “pictures” were taken which in a sense draw a map for the surgeon to follow.
Surgery began at approximately 10 a.m. (I have no recollection of even entering the operating room). Dr. Smith’s incision ended up being about six inches from the upper middle left chest toward the left armpit. One concern has arisen from this. Dr. Smith found more than he expected at the original site. At this point he is not sure if this is a result of the cancer growing there, or if it was a hematoma—a collection of blood/dried blood. For this reason he had to go deeper than he had intended at that spot, actually taking some of the chest muscle below it (and I don’t have that much to spare). We will have to wait on the pathology report to find out exactly what was going there.
Next, Dr. Smith removed the sentinel lymph node (the hypothetical first lymph node or group of nodes reached by metastasizing cancer cells from a primary tumor according to Wikipedia). This was the best news of the day! There was NO cancer in that lymph node!
Lastly, Dr. Smith had hoped to do a biopsy of a nodule that had been detected by the PET scan on the left side of my thyroid. Dr. Smith could not find it with his ultrasound, but the radiologist, Dr. Wunder, with more advanced equipment, located it and performed the biopsy. Neither physician seemed too concerned about the nodule, but with metastasizing melanoma it bears further investigation.
We were able to leave the hospital and arrived home about 4 p.m. I am actually feeling next-to-nothing in terms of pain—I hope it lasts! The needle-poking biopsy in my throat has been more irritating than the incision at this point.
I will see Dr. Smith for follow up and pathology results next week, then oncologist, Dr. Mathew Joseph, next Friday, March 26.
Meanwhile, our wonderful church folks are bringing in dinner every night this week. Life is good and God is better! Thanks again for all your prayers and kind words of love, support, and encouragement!
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2 comments:
Wow! A lot can happen in a few weeks, huh? I'm so glad to hear it all went well today, Chuck! You continue in my prayers and those of others here in the NW. Say "hi" to Beth - we're praying for her, too! I want to know more about "Dr. Wunder" - are you kidding?!?! If THAT doesn't prove God has a sense of humor, I'm not sure what would! Blessings on you!
May God continue to shower you with His blessings and goodness. Isn't it wonderful to be able to see all the good things God works into our lives through what feels like devastating circumstances? I know He'll guide you through this, walking right by your side. I appreciate your journal so much. Thank you for taking the time to write and share with us.
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