Thursday, August 18, 2011

Meeting with my third doctor

So today I had my first -- and hopefully only -- appointment with my oncologist. I really liked him. He was extremely blunt, but also thorough and I came away feeling confident that he knows what he's doing and is honest with me.

Unlike my GP and my gynecologist, his focus isn't on my ginormous ovarian cyst. He seemed more interested in the build up of the lining of my uterus, unusual and unnecessary for a woman in menopause. So today he tried to do a biopsy. Uh-oh. He couldn't. There's a lot of residual scar tissue on my cervix* and doing an in-office biopsy was impossible. Since everyone agrees that I'm having a complete hysterectomy, he can't see putting me through a D&C. So while knowing whether or not there's malignancy in my uterus before he cuts is a "nice to have," it's not a "has to have."

He and my gynecologist are going in with a long, high vertical incision and yes, it's going to be quite a scar. He also told me that, depending on what they find when they're in there, he may have to take a portion of my bowel. If that happens, I'll have to be in the hospital longer than three days. Part of why he recommends I take 6 weeks off work is to make certain that there's no post-op swelling in my legs.

I didn't enjoy hearing that, certainly. But I appreciated how frank he was. And he did -- this is so important -- emphasize that everything is more likely benign than malignant. And if that's the case, when I wake up, he will be long gone and my gynecologist will resume my care exclusively. That's why we hope we'll never see one another again!

My surgery will likely be 9/2, maybe 9/9. I'll find out for sure tomorrow.

Thank you for all the good thoughts, everyone! And please, keep 'em coming!

*Yet another reminder of Stephen Doe. No, I don't forgive him for what he did to me. And I can't forget, because it keeps cropping up at unexpected times. Bastard.

5 comments:

  1. i was praying the surgery would not have to go that far...but it is what it is and i think you are prepared. more now then when this whole thing started.
    we all love and support you in our own special way.
    wish i could help you...
    many hugs xoxoxo

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  2. I wondered how long you'd have to take off from work. That's going to be the toughest part for you, I'm sure. But it's really important that you take good care of yourself. And you'll have your blog buddies trying to entertain you.

    ;-)

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  3. Kwiz is exactly right - and one thing I have to add: I sincerely doubt an oncologist would say "likely benign" if it wasn't almost a positive. I don't think they are in the business of giving false hope.

    None of this sounds fun but soon enough it will be behind you, you get a nice mini-break and will come out of it feeling much better all the way around!

    Glad to hear an update. This week has been hell for me (something to do every single night) and I am trying to doggie paddle my way through it.

    Love you!

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  4. I've just started reading your blog.....and see you have a great circle of support, add one more ;).

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  5. It sounds like you're getting good - and mostly reassuring - information. I'm glad to hear it. I know this is stressful, but you're working toward a good resolution.

    Naturally you'll be in my thoughts and prayers through all this.

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