Back from Seeing my Surgeon!

djinnie we are here for you xxx

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Djinnie!  Kudos to you for not letting this steal your Christmas joy.  You are a strong woman and I admire you so much.  Will keep you in my prayers.

xoxo

Sindy

Jeesh. If it'snot one thing, it's another. Our lot in life. I really  admire your guts and determination not to let this cloud ruin your holidays. Until you know exactly what's going on try not to think about it much. (Piece of cake, right?) You'll put it out of your head tomorrow and then try again the next day and the next day, as much as you can. I know, that's a gargantuan feat. But we're here pulling for you! Merry Christmas & Happy, Healthy New Year!

Jojo61 said:

Atta girl, Djinnie!

Enjoy your Christmas. I know that waiting is hard. Thinking about you!

Hugs

Jojo

those growths seem pretty small to biopsy. I'd tell them to just take the growths out. Tout suite. I've got some spare tupper ware containers so that you can keep all of your parts neatly stored away. If you are like me, you are not half the person you were years ago. ..Take a piece from here, another piece from there, a chunk from over here, a slab from down yonder...it gets to the point when people ask you where you are going the first response is " To pathology."  Janis Joplin recorded our theme song years ago with, "Take another piece of my heart now baby.." I understand that Djinnie in french means swiss cheese. Am I wrong? It's just more crap to go through. Right? Unless you also are planning a trip to Hawaii, january just plain sucks. Now you've got something to keep you occupied. Who says cancer isn't fun?

foxhd said:

biopsy

those growths seem pretty small to biopsy. I'd tell them to just take the growths out. Tout suite. I've got some spare tupper ware containers so that you can keep all of your parts neatly stored away. If you are like me, you are not half the person you were years ago. ..Take a piece from here, another piece from there, a chunk from over here, a slab from down yonder...it gets to the point when people ask you where you are going the first response is " To pathology."  Janis Joplin recorded our theme song years ago with, "Take another piece of my heart now baby.." I understand that Djinnie in french means swiss cheese. Am I wrong? It's just more crap to go through. Right? Unless you also are planning a trip to Hawaii, january just plain sucks. Now you've got something to keep you occupied. Who says cancer isn't fun?

Take em out then the pathologists can biopsy them to their hearts content

sorry for all you are going through. I hope you were able to enjoy your Christmas somehow. Know that I will be thinking of you. Agree with the rest, get those critters out of there.

Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Hugs, Jan

Djinnie said:

Thanks for the support and advice!

I enjoyed my Christmas Day thanks! Hope you all did too! Boxing Day was not such a treat though! We had a long chat with the Radiologist who is scheduled to do the biopsy. He had been asked to study my previous scans by my Surgeon. It seems there are two growths, at a certain angle it looked like three. The larger growth is 2.4 cm, they are wedged between the kidney scar and the liver. Also I am now told that I  have problems with the lymph nodes in my chest, no one past that bit of info on before!

We discussed my concerns over having a biopsy, obviously my body has created a protective barrier around these growths for good reason. Perforating the capsule can cause spillage, why would I want to risk that!! They tell me they have to do this to find out what they are dealing with. Well! How many things could it be?  I am sure with a bit of logic we can narrow this down!.... The Doctor says that spillage is unlikely so there is no risk, well not to him maybe! so they will not budge on this procedure!

After burying my head in a bottle of red and a tin of Quality Street yesterday, it was decided that I was left with little choice. However! Since having a good old chat with myself in the bathroom mirror this morning, i've had a change of heart, of course I have a bloody choice! I am not sure exactly what the full extent of it is yet but I will have to find out!

As a side note, I had been trying to focus on anything but this over Christmas. We went last minute grocery shopping on Christmas Eve. I was dithering at the cheese counter so my husband grabbed the list and went off to get the veg. He soon returned saying " I have everything bar one, they are all out of these " pointing to the list I had written 1lb of small tumours, lol! Fortunately he had bought tomatoes instead! Can't fool the subconcious!

 

Djinnie xx

Djinnie, this just makes me sick to think how scary this must be for you. 

I think the advice you gave yourself in the mirror was excellent advice and I'm glad you are listening to your instincts.  You're right, how many things can this be?  If there were even the remote chance a biopsy could result in spillage, I personnally would opt out.  Postitively identifying it probably doesn't change the course of treatment so why risk it?  My oncologist recently told me of a case of spillage when a tumor ruptured during a neph.  He said the OR report indicated the patient had been flushed 15 times with saline prior to being closed up.  Sadly, she had wide spread in a short period of time and lost her battle.  Onc said they would never know if the burst tumor spread the cancer everywhere or if her cancer had just been that agressive.  Too risky in my opinion.

I hope your doctor's come up with a different game plan.  Having said that, we both know our doctors do these procedures over and over and most are very good at what they do.  They know the risk of spillage and the dangers of spillage.  Nothing comes without certain risk.  If you do have to have biopsy, chances are, you'll do beautifully.   Besides, the doctor did tell me spillage almost never happens. 

I'm sorry but, I had to laugh out loud at your 1lb of small tumors on your shopping list!  That's when you know you've got too much on your mind!  Try to relax...maybe a glass of red will help.  Unless ofcourse, you're having a procedure soon. 

Will be praying for you my friend! 

Djinnie said:

Biopsy!

Hey Twinnie, thanks for the message! I have to say the whole thing has turned out to be a right pain in the proverbial!! I have completed the rounds talking to each of my Doctors and Surgeon but they tell me there is no other route. They won't operate without a biopsy as they need to be sure, they have agreed to do an MRI but it will be after the procedure. I am having the biopsy under a scanner, this will be my fifth scan in under a year.  We will be able to save on light bulbs at this rate! 

The biopsy is scheduled for next Monday, i thought I would be asleep but no such luck. They have described the procedure to me in great detail, so of course as you would expect, I feel so much better about it all now, NOT!!:(.....I have told my husband I am going away next week and to give me a call when it's over!

 

Djinnie xx

Tell me where and I'll meet you.  We'll run away for a few days and soak up some rays and vodka.  Wouldn't that be a hoot!!

Seriously though, I know the stress of all this has got to be taking it's toll on both you and the mister.  I suppose if the doctor's say you gotta have the biopsy then, you gotta have the biopsy.  What's a patient to do but what they're told by trusted professionals.  Key word being professionals.  I'm sure it'll go smoothly.  As for being awake, ARE THEY CRAZY?  Please tell me it's a needle biopsy.  

Sounds like you're in a 'hurry up and wait' state of mind.  Ready to be done with it, I'm sure.  I think sometimes the waiting is the hardest part.  If only we could pass the time on some beach somewhere...sigh

Will be keeping you in my prayers, girl!  hugs

Sindy