need your good thoughts please

14 years ago

Need you good thoughts--- a few prayers wouldn't hurt either. This surgery the 25th is a bit scary-- takes 3-4 hrs at least.

Bit of background-- tho it's probably TMI--- back in April I was scheduled for my annual Physical-- & at my age that's checking all sorts of stuff-- annual EKG , chest xray,

pelvic, mammogram, a zillion blood tests plus it was time for my 5 yr colonoscopy--- everything came back negative-- within normal limits except for the Rheumatoid Arthritis

complication in my lungs( which was nothing new). And because I'm a retired nurse & wanted everything checked --I asked my primary Dr to set up an apptm. with my urologist

( I had had 2 nasty Utis in the last 6 mns & being on Humira for the RA needed to make sure I didn't have a colonized bladder so I could continue with the Humira). So the appointment was set up.

And then we found out my SD's melanoma was back & they gave her only a couple mns. I did get to the urologist-- had a cystoscopy done, special blood & urine tests for everything including cancer (all negative)-

but given my age & hx of kidney cysts MD thought it would be a good idea to have a CT scan of pelvis & abdomen to be sure there wasn't a problem with the kidneys-- so I had the scan done-- and the kidneys were fine

but it showed "something" in the tail of my pancreas-- special blood tests for cancer screening were all negative-- so over the next six weeks I had an MRI, a PET SCAN, & finally a needle biopsy 'cause no one could figure out just what was going on other than the fact that it didn't seem to be a pancreatic cancer.

The cells were sent to 2 different pathology labs-- both reports said "probable healing fibroid of the pancreas or rare endocrine neoplasm'' -- so I was scheduled to see my gastroenterologist the week after SD funeral.

Saw the gastroenterologist-- & at the same time the report came back on the biopsy cells from the 3rd path lab ( Walter Reed Hosp)-- they thought is was a very rare Endocrine Cancer-& the gastroenterologist though there was a good chance that's

what it was & he sent me to a specialist dealing with just liver, pancreas & spleen- so I saw him & it was reviewed by a couple different oncologists

and a Tumor Tissue committee at Guthrie in Sayer, PA,-- they ordered an Octreotide Scan that

confirmed it was an endocrine neoplasm & also pinpointed a tiny (4 mm) ( probable) metastasis in the end corner of the rt liver lobe.

.
This is not a typical cancer--it's not cancer of the pancreas but of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, it's extremely slow growing & often doesn't cause any symptoms-- they're often found by chance as mine was . They don't do chemo or radiation--just watch it until it looks like

it's going to cause a problem such as growing into a blood vessel or metastasizes. Surgery usually cures it even if there's been a bit of metastasis.One gal I met has had hers for 13 yrs & finally had surgery a couple mns ago.

And as mine is now 2 cm & in the very tail of the pancreas , that part has to be lopped off along with the spleen cause it shares blood vessels before it erodes a major vessel -- and the part of the liver cut off too..

So all this is why I haven't been posting much over the last few months but hopefully within a few weeks will be back to being an active member again.

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Comments (23)

shellm
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending prayers and hugs to you Diane.you have had an awful lot to deal w/lately.Hoping the surgery goes well and you are back to posting very soon.

Hugs,Shelley
lindac
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You have my prayers, some virtual chicken soup and lots of hugs and good wishes.
Linda C
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jessyf
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OMG Diane. I was wondering where you were. You are special to me because you were my first swap partner. So glad you had the medical stuff pull through proactively, now lets hope for the best!
denise8101214
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Good wishes!

I am extremely impressed with your ability to explain this so clearly. You obviously followed through in situations where those with less knowledge and understanding may not have.

No one wants to go through this but I hope that knowing, and you really know, that this is the right thing helps. It really sounds like this is a clear cure.

We will be thinking of you and praying on Tuesday.
User
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Damn...... that's all, just plain damn!

Diane, my thoughts and prayers will be with you leading up to, and after, your surgery. For sure it's scary, just plain scary but it sounds as if you have good , competent, health care.

I'm also so sorry to hear of your SD, that is so very sad.

Take care, know we are thinking of you, and keep us posted.

Sharon
caliloo
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending positive energy to you for a quick recovery.

Alexa
mustangs81
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, Thank goodness you are proactive about your health. And I was patting myself on the back because I scheduled a mammogram. That's tragic about your SD and I'm sure you wish you weren't preoccupied with your own issues.

Much love and virtual support for you and your family,
Cathy
doucanoe
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending lots of good thoughts and healing vibes, to you, Diane. Will be thinking of you all day on Tuesday and hoping to hear you get the "all clear"!

So sorry to hear bout your SD (would that be step-daughter?). Lots of prayers going out to her as well.

Linda
User
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, Damn is right. I'm so sorry that you are having to go though all of this. Sending good thoughts your way and will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

Ann
wizardnm
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, I'm sending massive amounts of positive vibes your way.....will be waiting to hear the all clear.

Nancy
daylilydayzed
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending positive thoughts for you and will pray that the surgery is a success!
brenda55
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, you'll be in my prayers and thoughts especially on Tuesday. Praying for a fast recovery as well.

Brenda
lsr2002
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, I'm so sorry to read your post. Sometimes an unbelievable amount of carp happens all at once. Of course you will be in my thoughts and prayers and I'll be watching for a post after your surgery. I've missed you too and I hope it won't be long before you are feeling better and posting again.

Lee
claire_de_luna
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, Of Course this is scary for you. I'm sending good thoughts your way, and praying for the best outcome possible. We'll be waiting to hear how you're feeling once this is all behind you. You have lots of support here!
annie1992
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'll third that "damn". I'm so sorry to hear about your SD, and I'll be sending all the prayers, positive thoughts and healing vibes I can muster up for both of you.

I'll be watching and waiting and praying, until you come back with an "all clear".

Annie
Gina_W
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh Diane! I'm sorry to hear about your SD.

I will be thinking about you on Tuesday and I hope the best possible outcome.

Hugs to you.
canarybird01
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm thinking of you Diane and send my support for you and your SD. May you have a good result tomorrow and a quick recovery.

Hugs,

SharonCb
riverrat1
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Diane, I've been thinking about you and why we haven't heard from you. I hope it's not to long before we hear from you and that you have a fast speedy recovery. Sending all the positve thoughts your way that I possibly can. I'm so sorry to hear about your SD.
Bizzo
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
((((Diane)))))
dedtired
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Daane, first, I am so sorry for the loss of your step-daughter. How vey sad. I presume she was young. Did she have a family?

Next -- I applaud you for being so conscientious about your health. So many of us let it slide. One thing I've learned working in a hospital is that early detection of almost any health situation is key.

The surgery sounds scary but it sounds like this could resolve your condition. I hope so and will be thinking of you.

(Every time I hear ISlets of Langerhans, I think of Biology class. That "part of the body" was always easy to remember since the name is unique.)

Hugs to you Diane -- except after the 25th they will be very soft hugs for awhile.
sally2_gw
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just saw this as I was out of town over the weekend. I'm so very sorry for your loss. (I'm glad someone explained what SD meant - I can be dense sometimes.)

It sounds like they've caught it very early, and that you have a marvelous team of doctors working for you. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Sally
compumom
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh no! I just returned from a short vacation and am dismayed to read your news. Thank you for going to the trouble to describe this rare condition so thoroughly and educating us in the process. My heart and good thoughts are with you tomorrow, and please hurry back to us as you recover.

>>
Ellen
sheshebop
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here is a big hug and virtual prayer
(((HUG))) (((prayer)))

need your good thoughts please

Comments (23)

shellm

lindac

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