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 nodular sclerosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nodular sclerosis. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
5th - Bone Marrow Biopsy
Stuart and I went to Dr. Hellner's office this morning for a follow-up appointment after my mediastinoscopy last week and my PET scan yesterday.
Dr. Hellner reviewed the fact that the initial results of the biopsy were suggestive of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Nodular Sclerosis subtype. The news today was that the PET scan showed lyphadenopathy below my diaphragm, specifically in my abdomen. My spleen was also involved, although I'd been told on multiple occasions that the spleen is a "glorified lymph node" and is often affected. The fact that I have disease above and below my diaphragm means that I am now considered to have an advanced stage (Stage III or Stage IV) of Lymphoma. Stage IV means that the disease has spread to organs outside the lymph system, such as liver, lung, or bone marrow. It is for that reason that I had the privilege of a bone marrow biopsy today. Dr. Hellner was leaving for a vacation to Napa that evening, so her day was incredibly busy. She asked us to come back in the afternoon to have the procedure.
Back at the office at around 3:30 to have the bone marrow biopsy done. I know that many of you have heard nightmare stories about how painful this procedure is, but my procedure was not that bad thanks to the wonderful Dr. Hellner and her capable nurse, Carol. The procedure lasted about 15 minutes, 30 if you count the 15 minutes I spent stalling waiting for the Valium I took to kick in. I assumed the fetal position on the exam table, hind quarters hanging in the breeze as Dr. Hellner pushed a thick needle into my lower back/hip. The sensation was mostly one of pressure, with the exception of the time when the fluid marrow was extracted, which was more akin to feeling someone sucking the contents of your legs through a straw in rapid fashion.
We headed home knowing that results of this terrible test would not be back until next week.
Dr. Hellner reviewed the fact that the initial results of the biopsy were suggestive of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Nodular Sclerosis subtype. The news today was that the PET scan showed lyphadenopathy below my diaphragm, specifically in my abdomen. My spleen was also involved, although I'd been told on multiple occasions that the spleen is a "glorified lymph node" and is often affected. The fact that I have disease above and below my diaphragm means that I am now considered to have an advanced stage (Stage III or Stage IV) of Lymphoma. Stage IV means that the disease has spread to organs outside the lymph system, such as liver, lung, or bone marrow. It is for that reason that I had the privilege of a bone marrow biopsy today. Dr. Hellner was leaving for a vacation to Napa that evening, so her day was incredibly busy. She asked us to come back in the afternoon to have the procedure.
Back at the office at around 3:30 to have the bone marrow biopsy done. I know that many of you have heard nightmare stories about how painful this procedure is, but my procedure was not that bad thanks to the wonderful Dr. Hellner and her capable nurse, Carol. The procedure lasted about 15 minutes, 30 if you count the 15 minutes I spent stalling waiting for the Valium I took to kick in. I assumed the fetal position on the exam table, hind quarters hanging in the breeze as Dr. Hellner pushed a thick needle into my lower back/hip. The sensation was mostly one of pressure, with the exception of the time when the fluid marrow was extracted, which was more akin to feeling someone sucking the contents of your legs through a straw in rapid fashion.
We headed home knowing that results of this terrible test would not be back until next week.
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