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107366 tn?1305680375

Update

First let me apologize for being MIA for awhile. I pop in and check on everyone from time to time, but I haven't posted much. Thanks to dian for doing a great job as co-Community Leader.

I'm still dealing with this recurrence I've known about since January. I've tried a couple of hormone treatments since what I have is low grade which won't respond to chemo. I'm back at MD Anderson this week for tests, and I learned today the mass has doubled in size since May. So its time to take it out. I'll be flying home in Friday, then back to TX on Tuesday. Pre-op is on Wednesday, and surgery is a week later on the 23rd. Oddly, my 6 year "cancerversary" is Aug 29.

I feel good about this, though. I've wanted this thing out ever since it was found in January. It finally has my doctor's attention and we're getting rid of it. I still feel blessed, too, because I'm still here 6 years after late stage diagnosis.

I'll be checking in as I can, and wish you all well!

Gail
10 Responses
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187666 tn?1331173345
What a mixed bag of news for you. Glad you aren't having surgery but not glad that the thing is still sitting there.  Perhaps your doctor will have some new tricks up his sleeve.
Helpful - 0
107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thanks to you all for the kind thoughts, prayers, and comments.  

Things sure change quickly!  By the time I got back to Houston for surgery, my doctor told me he'd taken my case to the "tumor committee", and as a group, they decided surgery was too dangerous at this time.  I also have Crohn's Disease, and my orginal surgery resulted in 12" of my large intestine being removed.  This new "alien" is sitting on scar tissue from that surgery. Apparently, it's just sitting there hanging out minding its own business. They think the risks of going in and possibly disturbing my colon are greater than letting it hang out indefinitely.  So it's more watch and wait.  I had another biopsy to make sure the cells hadn't mutated since it doubled in size since May.  The results came back as still low grade.  I'm back home right now, but go back to TX on Tuesday for a consult with my Dr. on Wednesday.  We'll decide on a new treatment plan.  I have a feeling it's going to be Lupron and Tamoxifen this time. I've been through every hormone in the book it seems, so if this doesn't work, then we'll have exhausted the hormone route.  After that, we'll move to low dose chemo.  Not sure what he has up his sleeve since low grade doesn't respond to chemo, but he's the doctor, not me.  I guess they were right when they put in my original pathology report from 6 years ago that the combination of
histological patterns seen in my case was very unusual.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Gail
Helpful - 0
119341 tn?1232563757
I thought I'd actually check into the forum I haven't done that in, well, a very long time. I'm glad I did to read this.

My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Paula
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
Sending you positive thoughts Gail.  
Helpful - 0
725998 tn?1258048708
Gail, hope everything turns out the way you want it to.  We will all be thinking of you.
Helpful - 0
378425 tn?1305628294
I am sorry about the need for surgery.....Six years is great......I will be thinking of you...Please do take care of you and when you are feeling up to it please let us know how you are getting along.....You are in my thoughts and prayers....Love, Dawnlyn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry to hear that 2011 is such a bummer for you.  Maybe it will also be the year that they caught a problem early enough to solve it with minimal difficulty.  

Congratulations on six years.  May this surgery produce at least another six!  

Put yourself first, but please let us know how thinngs are going.  God bless ...
Helpful - 0
136849 tn?1327321510
I know how you feel about getting that thing out of you.  Will be praying that everything goes smoothly and you heal nicely.  Will keep you in my prayers.  Kick this thing to the curb girl. Keep us updated when you can!!


Hugs and Prayers,


Jane
Helpful - 0
155056 tn?1333638688
Gail - great to hear from you.  I am glad that they are removing that "thing"....you don't need it!!!!!  If I were you, the 23rd couldn't come soon enough.  I will be thinking about you!!!!

Love,
Pam
Helpful - 0
187666 tn?1331173345
Strange to think you're looking forward to a surgery but I understand. You want to yell, "Just get that thing out of there!"  :-)  I'm glad they're not waiting long. Let's hope they give you some great news when they're done. Wishing and praying for you.
Helpful - 0
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