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 4th. 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
2 comments:
I was checking my blog links and didn't know about your new "development." Cancer is a silent beast . . . it often doesn't let you know it's there. I am praying that you are indeed "lucky" and it will be of no consequence. Yes, scanxiety is a bit unnerving . . .
Rich, do you mind, if you have the time, to tell me (possibly again) your MCL story? When you were dx'd, treatment protocol, were you in remission, etc.?
Have you ever linked to the ACOR MCL forum? It is an informative group of MCL patient/survivors/caregivers. Through the group I learn the newest and best treatments out for relapsed MCL. But I know Dr. Goy is one of the best - fortunate for you!
Take care and I await your news . . .
Cyndi
http://advocateofhope.wordpress.com
Hi Cyndi, Thank you for reaching out to me. On a high level my story is:
Treatment - Phase I study bortezomib (VELCADE) plus rituximab-hyperCVAD alternating with bortezomib plus rituximab-high dose methotrexate/cytarabine in patients with untreated aggressive mantle cell lymphoma.
A brief history:
* Diagnosed – 7/17/08
* First Treatment – 8/5/08
* Remission Accomplished – 12/12/08
* Final Treatment – 2/10/09
* Put on Maintenance with scans every 3 months – 3/09 through 8/12
* Graduated to scans every 6 months
* First 6 month scan which found a new mass in my chest – 2/15/13
In between all the above I did have some challenges with infections but great Family, Friends, Doctors helped me get through.
Right now I feel great and with the help of God I will beat this thing again.
I have not linked to ACOR MCL, but I will definitely check it out.
Thank you again.
Rich
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