Special thanks again to my Mom, Carol Deets, who delayed her flight from Sunday until today to help with our two children and the house. I love you Mom!
Today was a very long day. I had several tests done, met a new oncologist for a second opinion and received my final pathology results from the mediastinoscopy.
Both of the tests I had done were done to establish baselines of organ function prior to chemotherapy. That is ominous, is it not? The first test was called a pulmonary function test and involved me sitting in a small, enclosed glass booth huffing and puffing on air and gas until I nearly passed out. Results normal. The second test was an Echo cardiogram, which is essentially a sonogram that checks heart function. Results normal.
On a seemingly unrelated note, we have used one of Charlotte's best interior designers, Wanda Horton, a few times. Upon hearing what I was going through, Wanda mentioned that one of her clients was Charlotte's best oncologist, and we simply needed to see him. After we confirmed her thought, we met today with one of Charlotte's Best Doctor's 2010, Gary P. Frenette, MD PhD. Dr. Frenette was fantastic, and although I'm going to feel guilty about leaving Dr. Hellner, I am going to leave my care to Dr. Frenette from here on out. Thank you Wanda!
The last news of the day was really a foregone conclusion. Dr. Reames called the house and gave me the final pathology results: Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Nodular Sclerosis subtype.
Showing posts with label Dr. Reames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Reames. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
30th - Losing my resolve
Stuart and I met with Dr. Hellner for about an hour this morning and discussed my history, her initial thoughts (lymphoma) and possible next steps. She explained to us that there are two main types of lymphoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). She mentioned that at my age (36), I was certainly in the age group for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, although Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was certainly a possibility as well.
For all the nerds in the group, Hodgkin's has a bi-modal distribution, meaning that it is most common (modal) at two (bi-) points in life. It is most likely to be diagnosed in people in their twenties or thirties. It is less common in middle age and becomes more common again after age 60. Non-Hodgkin's occur more often as your age increases. The cause of Lymphoma is unknown, the prognosis varies based on type and stage, but inevitably the treatment is some type of chemotherapy.
Here are the websites that I have visited and would like to share.
Lymphoma Research Foundation http://www.lympoma.org/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/
Both Stuart and I left Dr. Hellner's office glad that we went. We both had a sense of realism that having cancer would not be ideal, but that Lymphoma is curable.
Next steps are to go forward with the mediastinoscopy tomorrow morning to try to get more biopsy tissue, as well as to schedule appointments next week for heart and lung tests (baselines prior to chemotherapy).
On a lighter note, my Mom came down this evening and will be staying with us through Sunday to help with the kids and the house.
For all the nerds in the group, Hodgkin's has a bi-modal distribution, meaning that it is most common (modal) at two (bi-) points in life. It is most likely to be diagnosed in people in their twenties or thirties. It is less common in middle age and becomes more common again after age 60. Non-Hodgkin's occur more often as your age increases. The cause of Lymphoma is unknown, the prognosis varies based on type and stage, but inevitably the treatment is some type of chemotherapy.
Here are the websites that I have visited and would like to share.
Lymphoma Research Foundation http://www.lympoma.org/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/
Both Stuart and I left Dr. Hellner's office glad that we went. We both had a sense of realism that having cancer would not be ideal, but that Lymphoma is curable.
Next steps are to go forward with the mediastinoscopy tomorrow morning to try to get more biopsy tissue, as well as to schedule appointments next week for heart and lung tests (baselines prior to chemotherapy).
On a lighter note, my Mom came down this evening and will be staying with us through Sunday to help with the kids and the house.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
29th - Good news is bad news
Dr. Reames called this afternoon to tell me that the pathology department called and the tissue from Monday's bronchoscopy was "non-diagnostic". Technically, it means that there were no malignant cells found, which I took as good news. Those in the medical profession took it as a disappointment however, as they do not seem to want to call it quits without an adequate explanation for the golf ball sized lymph nodes in my chest. Go figure.
At this point, I think everyone but me believes that I have Lymphoma. My resolve has started to give way, so I decided it was time to see that Oncologist for a consultation.
Dr. Kersten recommended Mariealane B. Hellner, MD, who practices near my house and is supposed to be very good. Stuart and I will go to her office in the morning.
At this point, I think everyone but me believes that I have Lymphoma. My resolve has started to give way, so I decided it was time to see that Oncologist for a consultation.
Dr. Kersten recommended Mariealane B. Hellner, MD, who practices near my house and is supposed to be very good. Stuart and I will go to her office in the morning.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
28th - A second biospsy
Dr. Davis knew the bronchoscopy might not get enough tissue to provide a definitive diagnosis, so she referred me to Mark K. Reames Sr., MD, FACS, who could perform a mediastinoscopy to get a better tissue sample if necessary. Mediastinoscopy is a surgery that allows doctors to view the middle of the chest cavity and to do minor surgery through very small incisions. It allows surgeons or pulmonary doctors to remove lymph nodes from between the lungs and to test them for cancer or infection.
Dr. Reames is the classic southern gentleman and I felt comfortable with him from the start. Although I was anxious to get going and get to a diagnosis, he counseled me that having a procedure before the full pathology was back on from the bronchoscopy might be rash.
We spoke for a short while and then parted ways. I was hoping that someone would call me and tell me this whole thing was a joke, but the reality was that I would see the fine Dr. Reames on Friday.
Dr. Reames is the classic southern gentleman and I felt comfortable with him from the start. Although I was anxious to get going and get to a diagnosis, he counseled me that having a procedure before the full pathology was back on from the bronchoscopy might be rash.
We spoke for a short while and then parted ways. I was hoping that someone would call me and tell me this whole thing was a joke, but the reality was that I would see the fine Dr. Reames on Friday.
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