Biopsy Delayed

2/25/13 – I arrived at Hackensack University Medical Center at 8:00AM. I was directed to my room, told to put on my hospital. A nurse soon came in put a needle in my arm for an IV and told me that I would be brought down for the procedure at 10:30. My wife Sue and I then watched some TV with all the shows recapping what when on at the Oscars. It kept us entertained as we waited. After about 90 minute a doctor from radiology arrived and advised us that the procedure would have to be cancelled. Apparently the mass was in the middle of a series of blood vessels and arteries and that it would be too high a risk to go in with a needle. God forbid the needle hit an artery, it could have turned catastrophic and I could have bled out. After hearing this, I was very agreeable. Should the hospital have known this before I checked in? Absolutely! But, to look at the positive side of this, thank God that someone double checked this before they started.  I mentioned to my wife that I was “lucky” that someone caught this. Sue said, “isn’t it funny how we have learned to redefine the meaning of lucky”. After all, I am lucky that I get scanned as much as I do. Here I have a 5 centimeter mass in my chest with no symptoms. If I wasn't scanned, who knows how large it would have gotten and how many other masses would appear before they made their presence known. I truly believe that these “silent” tumors are the reason dealing with cancer is such a challenge. By the time they are discovered, it is often too late. And yes, I am “lucky” that I get scanned regularly. It makes you want to ask: what about all of the people who are not “lucky” enough to have had cancer in their past? What is done to help detect the early onset of cancer for them?

Anyway, I was able to meet with a thoracic surgeon while in Hackensack. Her name is Jenifer L, Marks M.D. What a wonderfully pleasant and reassuring person. And her staff was remarkable as they went above and beyond to squeeze me into her schedule today. I am now scheduled to have a surgical procedure with her on next Monday, March 4^th. It sounds like I will be in the hospital for a couple of days. With this procedure they will make a couple of small incisions in my right side. A small video camera will be inserted so she can see where she is going and not have to deal with the risked that we faced today.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

More to come…


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Biopsy Scheduled

2/20/13 – Here is a quick update on my schedule.  I have been officially scheduled for my biopsy on Monday, February 25^th and I all get my results on Monday, March 4^th.

It is very easy for me to jump to the conclusion that my Mantle Cell Lymphoma is back. With the mass being in the exact same spot as one of original tumors, it is not completely crazy to think this way. On the other hand, I have to say that I feel great. I recently started watching what eat and ended up losing over 50lbs. Also, I have been very energetic over the past few months. How could I be sick again? It makes no sense to feel so good and still be sick, right?

BUT… in truth I will only know for sure when I am given the results from the biopsy.

At the end of the day, I need to keep calm and leave all of this in the hands of God.

I know God will take care of me.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:28-30

More to come…

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My Adventures Continue…

2/11/13 – I went for my CT Scan today. I will get the results on the 15^th. Over the years I have gotten very good and keeping myself busy as I wait for my scan results. There is no doubt that the wait could simply drive you crazy. I look at it like this; if I can only keep my mind occupied the time will pass before I know it.

For some reason these results have me more on edge than in the past. This is probably because I have recently learned that a couple of the people that were in the Mantle Cell study that I am in have fallen out of remission. Well, I can only hope and pray that all is fine with me.

2/15/13 – My wife and I arrived at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical a little early. I was feeling very relaxed and confident. I got to the lab for my blood work I was in and out in no time. We than proceeded up to Dr. Guy’s office and we were escorted to a checkup room right away. Could it be that I was going to get through my appointment in less than an hour? NO CHANCE!!!  Dr. Goy must have been pulled in to an emergency and we ended up waiting well over an hour. I never complain about waiting for Dr. Goy because I would much rather waiting than being the person he was called away to attend to.

When Dr. Goy finally made it to us his first questions to me were: “Do you feel pain?”, “Do you have a cough?”, “Are you having difficulty breathing?”

These are not the type of questions that he usually starts off with. It did make me think. I was also sensing that my wife Sue was not comfortable where this was leading. Dr. Goy then explained that in reviewing my scans that they did see a mass in my chest that concerns him. In addition, it was in the exact spot of one of my original tumors. The mass measured 5 centimeters. Dr. Goy said that he wanted me to get it biopsied ASAP and he wanted to see me back within the next 2 weeks. He also, stressed, for us not to worry. We need to take things one step at a time. AND, if this end up to be Mantle Cell Lymphoma, they have excellent treatments available to me. More than likely I would be pulled into another study group... BUT let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. I need to first get the biopsy and meet with him to discuss the results. I will be getting contacted by the hospital with when the biopsy is scheduled over the next day or so and my follow-up with Dr. Goy will be on Tuesday, February 26^th.

I guess my abilities to keep myself busy and not drive myself crazy waiting will certainly be tested over the next couple of weeks.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 3)

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/