Update pg 3: my sisters lung tumor

[Credit Man]

Prayers on the way.

 

[AirForceRocks]

You got it poohandwendy - here's hoping for the best possible results!!

 

[cgcw]

sending prayers.

 

[cinlee3]

Definitely praying for your sister and your family.

 

[Steve H.]

You got it -- prayers going out for your sister!

 

[tater bug]

Prayers for you, your sister and the entire family. {{{hugs}}} to you.

 

[poohandwendy]

Hi Guys,

First, thank you all for your well wishes and prayers! Lori saw her PCP and he said yes there is definitely a mass (which we knew)...it is small (1 cm)...thank God! He is referring her to a lung specialist to discuss a biopsy/possible surgery. She will see him thursday I think.

The PCP told her the reason he had her come in to discuss this is because he feels it needs to be taken seriously and he does not like to discuss options of this nature over the phone. He feels the patient deserves a more personal approach and time to discuss concerns/fears in person. He told her that if it is malignant, early detection/intervention in lung cancer is imperative, which we knew. He feels that the facts that her age and that it appears to be early, are all in her favor, IF she is dealing with a malignancy.

He does have concerns over the fact that her kidney infection is not going away (still fever and slightly swollen kidney and it's been 13 days since she started antibiotic treatment). And her white cell count is still high. He gave her a stronger antibiotic and I don't think she will be able to have any lung procedure until it is cleared up. He will be keeping a close eye on that. So, we are hoping that goes away really soon.

I am really elated...only because we were worried that a) he would say there was more on the CT scan...b) I was worried he would take the 'let's watch it and see you in a few months' approach...

I am thankful he wants to deal with it now (we only would have worried, not knowing) and that it is small.

So, I'm praying it's NOT malignant and that if it is, they is able to remove it, that it is localized and she can get on with life...

Thanks again for your prayers and kind words, it really helps. I am going to take a nap today, I am mentally and physically exhausted!!! I will update as I know more....

So, we still have to wait and see, but at least we know action is on it's way... Lori is a very strong person...I am confident we will get throught this whatever it is....So the ball is rolling....somehow that gives me comfort

Thanks again,

wendy

 

[minniecarousel]

P&W - prayers for your sister. Also, hoping that it is not as serious as you are fearing. (I have two sisters, am close to both but one is only 18 months older than I am - so we were so close growing up. I know how you feel - hang in there!)

 

[browneyes]

Thanks for the update. I wish her luck on Thursday. I'm glad the PCP is optimistic.

 

[minniecarousel]

WHEW! Not as bad as it could have been! Continued prayers for her treatment & recovery. Sounds like a great doctor.

 

[helenabear]

My prayers are with your sister at this time. I pray that the mass that was found is not malignant. Best wishes for your sister as she goes through the biopsy. Sounds like she has a good doctor too

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good to hear the update, Wendy. Hopefully things will go well for Lori and she will be herself and better ereal soon. She will remain in my prayer.


Dan

 

[Saffron]

Ack. I hate the word mass. It always sounds so horrible. When I was told I had a mass that had to be looked at immediately, until I got the results back, the three weeks of tests and numerous doctorswere made me a nervous wreck. I understand what you are all going through. I will pray for her. I hope the results of her tests give you the best news that you could possibly imagine. Please keep us updated. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Continuing to pray, please keep us posted.
Lisa

 

[poohandwendy]

Hi all,
Just wanted to give an update on Lori's situation:

She met with the thoracic surgeon wednesday. The bad news first:

He feels confident that the tumor is malignant. He told her that there are specific characteristics that are consistent with benign tumors and hers doesn't have any of them. And the tumor does have all of the characteristics usually found in malignant tumors. SO...the plans are:

Next week(thur or fri), he will make 3 incisions in her back and try to get the tumor and surrounding tissue. The problem is that it is very close to her rib and if, once he gets in there, he feels he cannot get enough tissue to be safe.... they will go in through her chest(either under the breast or, worst case scenario, they will have to open up her chest). If they do, she will probably lose 1/3 of her lung. Why not just a needle biopsy? Well, apparently with lung cancer there is the risk of spreading it by opening it up internally. I am assuming that the nature of the lungs (with the oxygenated blood circulating to all of the organs from there) is part of what he is talking about. Because the tumor is so suspicious, he doesn't want to risk it.

If he is able to get the tumor out through the back, she will be hospitalized for 2-3 days and aprx 2 week recovery. If they go through the chest, 5-7 day hospital stay and 6 week recovery. Obviously, we are hoping for the back to work.

now the GOOD news:

He feels very confident that this surgery can rid her of the cancer completely. The fact that it appears to be VERY early, she has NOT other health conditions to impede her recovery and that it apears to be contained to the area, she has a great chance at complete cure. He told her that whether or not she will need chemo will be dependent on what they find once they get the cells under a microscope, as far as what type of cancer it is.

She will not really notice the loss of part of her lung exceot in extreme conditions (high altitude(flying) and sudden exertion).

SO.....we are, of course, shocked but optimistic. I guess we never really anticipated to be facing this possibility until after surgery. We all thought this appointment would be like, get surgery and then see. This doctor really puts the cards on the table. He basically said, "I've been doing this a long time, I've seen this before, I think it is cancer, let's get rid of it"

It is not what we wanted to hear, but we have faith that she found out about this, inadvertently, FOR A REASON! I am so thankful for her kidney infection!!!!

Now, I may NOT be cancer, but we are preparing for the worst, just in case. It would be nice to be pleasantly surprised but I guess knowing that it may be cancer will make it not be so shocking if they do come back and say it was. I don't know if that makes any sense, but we feel more prepared knowing what the doctor suspects. Usually they keep everything to themselves and drop the bomb later.

So, if anyone has any extra prayer time, please keep her in yours. We really need it.

I am trying to get tickets to fly down and be with her (and amuse the kids) for the surgery. (unfortunately, i am not finding anything under like $400 (ouch) so I am looking into priceline) If anyone has any suggestions, I am definitely interested. My mother is going to go down for part of the recovery time.

thanks for listening,

wendy

 

[poohandwendy]

After rereading my last post, I realized that it seems lacking in emotion. It's hard to describe, but I go from completely confident to numb to feeling like the walls are closing in around me. I keep trying to stay more in the 'completely confident' mode. I am sort of glad I have a little time to digest this before I see her. I am gathering the strength I need to help her and the kids through this. My husband is being so great, listening to my fears with patience and then building me back up when I need it. The worst part is talking to my mom. Can't do it without tears, just looking at her is tough...

 

[jamsmom]

You must have every emotion around! Lori will continue top be in our thoughts, as will you.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I can imagine how tough it must be on your mom, Wendy. Sounds like your isiter has a good doctor, I would be very confident also. Continuing to remember Lori in my prayers, thanks for the update. {hugs}


Dan

 

[Serena]

I like that doctor. More prayers on the way.

 

[cgcw]

Will continue to send prayers. It does sound very optomistic!