first appointment

sandysp
sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
Hi,

I finally had my first appointment and found out a lot about how little I understand doctor-speak. I had the ultrasound you must all have had. The doctor said the tumor was much smaller than the gastro doctor said it was - 3.5cm instead of "the size of a cigarette". That was such good news, I couldn't believe it at first and called my first doctor back. But he confirmed that the doctors at Sloan have much better equipment, etc. The Colo-rectal surgeon staged it (without a pet scan) at T2N1 as there is lymph node involvement with the standard treatment of chemo and radiation. They scheduled my workup with the Oncologist and radiologist at the Sloan hospital in Sleepy Hollow, just up river from us. But he also said I needed to see a GYN at Sloan. Turns out the 10.8 cm mass that showed up on the CT scan is adenexal along with multiple others in the pelvic bowel. The anal cancer didn't even show up in the CT scan, which I learned is good news. But I am scheduled for surgery to remove the ovarian/fallopian tubes and any foreign tissue surrounding on June 15th. The appointments for evaluation for the chemo/radiation for anal cancer are being postponed until we get the pathology reports from the June 15th surgery. I could go home same day or many days later, depending on what happens when I am asleep. I am so tired. I have done my pre-op appointment already. But two appointments at Sloan with Ultra Sounds on two private cavities have me whipped. I may wind up at this rate on two cancer sites here.

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    Sandy
    Hi Sandy I'm glad you have some reliable answers for the anal cancer. I know that must be a relief to know what size it is. As for the surgery on June 15th I am hoping for benign cyst, but what ever it is it is going to come out which is a good thing. I know the waiting is the hardest part, but now at least you have answers and a game plan. I hope you will get a good nights rest. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Hi Sandy!
    I really hope that you find out you're just dealing with the anal cancer and no additional cancer in the pelvic region. That's great news about the size of your tumor. I hope your surgery goes well and you have a swift recovery so you can get on with the business of zapping that tumor away! Please keep us posted. I wish you all the very best and will keep you in my prayers.
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    First appt
    Good, good news regarding the size. Waiting truly is the hardest part of the entire process. Reflecting on the following helped me tremendously:

    "Wait in Love with Me. As you wait, courage and hope will flow into your being." --Two Listeners

    "Your need is My chance to help. Faith is all I need to manifest My Power."
    --Two Listeners


    "Wonders are unfolding beyond your dreams and hopes. To everything say "All is well"." ~Two Listeners

    Whatever the 2nd mass is, know that you will be ok ~ and you will get through all of it and one day be able to look back on your journey with a feeling of peace. Love to you. Keep us posted.
    Angela
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    Angela_K said:

    First appt
    Good, good news regarding the size. Waiting truly is the hardest part of the entire process. Reflecting on the following helped me tremendously:

    "Wait in Love with Me. As you wait, courage and hope will flow into your being." --Two Listeners

    "Your need is My chance to help. Faith is all I need to manifest My Power."
    --Two Listeners


    "Wonders are unfolding beyond your dreams and hopes. To everything say "All is well"." ~Two Listeners

    Whatever the 2nd mass is, know that you will be ok ~ and you will get through all of it and one day be able to look back on your journey with a feeling of peace. Love to you. Keep us posted.
    Angela

    Two Listeners
    What is "Two Listeners". What great wisdom. Thank you. You were named correctly, Angela. You are an angel.
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    z said:

    Sandy
    Hi Sandy I'm glad you have some reliable answers for the anal cancer. I know that must be a relief to know what size it is. As for the surgery on June 15th I am hoping for benign cyst, but what ever it is it is going to come out which is a good thing. I know the waiting is the hardest part, but now at least you have answers and a game plan. I hope you will get a good nights rest. Lori

    I slept like a log. Had a
    I slept like a log. Had a rehearsal for Schubert Mass in G Major. I have lots of rehearsals this week. The music will keep my mind off things I can't control. Thanks for your good wishes.
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    mp327 said:

    Hi Sandy!
    I really hope that you find out you're just dealing with the anal cancer and no additional cancer in the pelvic region. That's great news about the size of your tumor. I hope your surgery goes well and you have a swift recovery so you can get on with the business of zapping that tumor away! Please keep us posted. I wish you all the very best and will keep you in my prayers.

    Thanks. I am feeling
    Thanks. I am feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that you are here with the others.
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    sandysp said:

    Two Listeners
    What is "Two Listeners". What great wisdom. Thank you. You were named correctly, Angela. You are an angel.

    Was happy to hear that they
    Was happy to hear that they staged you and that the tumor was smaller than they thought. I am praying that the other tumors are benign and am anxiously awaiting to hear the results after your surgery on the 15th. Regardless having them removed they will be out of your body. I tend to accelerate my 'busyness' as the time gets closer for a scan for me. You can tell how much gets done by when the scans are. Right now my house is spotless and my cabinets look like someone with OCD on crack rearranged them. My scan is next Tues. By the time I get to see the oncologist the following week, I will have organized a few clothes closets and driven my husband to drink. Then when scan comes back clear, I will settle down and relax a little bit until the next one. We deal with our fears and anxieties in our own way. Yours is with music (what a better way to be calm) - mine is to putter and move around and create. For some it is running, gardening, reading a good novel. Whatever it comes down to, that is what we do to get through it, that and having this forum to come in and vent and chat and receive many hugs from many wonderful people. Keep us posted please. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Marilyne
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    sissy310 said:

    Was happy to hear that they
    Was happy to hear that they staged you and that the tumor was smaller than they thought. I am praying that the other tumors are benign and am anxiously awaiting to hear the results after your surgery on the 15th. Regardless having them removed they will be out of your body. I tend to accelerate my 'busyness' as the time gets closer for a scan for me. You can tell how much gets done by when the scans are. Right now my house is spotless and my cabinets look like someone with OCD on crack rearranged them. My scan is next Tues. By the time I get to see the oncologist the following week, I will have organized a few clothes closets and driven my husband to drink. Then when scan comes back clear, I will settle down and relax a little bit until the next one. We deal with our fears and anxieties in our own way. Yours is with music (what a better way to be calm) - mine is to putter and move around and create. For some it is running, gardening, reading a good novel. Whatever it comes down to, that is what we do to get through it, that and having this forum to come in and vent and chat and receive many hugs from many wonderful people. Keep us posted please. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Marilyne

    time fillers
    I get you totally. I even started a puzzle and work on it in bits. I started Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" and bought some comedy dvd's and the third and fourth seasons of "6 Feet Under" which totally absorbs me so I know what you mean. I have energy today. Yesterday after the exams and meeting with the doctor I was wiped out. I need to get the cleaning bug, but it won't happen until after Tuesday's rehearsal. Them this place is going to get a good once over.I guess you just have to go with the ebb and flow. The challenge is to accept and live.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    sissy310 said:

    Was happy to hear that they
    Was happy to hear that they staged you and that the tumor was smaller than they thought. I am praying that the other tumors are benign and am anxiously awaiting to hear the results after your surgery on the 15th. Regardless having them removed they will be out of your body. I tend to accelerate my 'busyness' as the time gets closer for a scan for me. You can tell how much gets done by when the scans are. Right now my house is spotless and my cabinets look like someone with OCD on crack rearranged them. My scan is next Tues. By the time I get to see the oncologist the following week, I will have organized a few clothes closets and driven my husband to drink. Then when scan comes back clear, I will settle down and relax a little bit until the next one. We deal with our fears and anxieties in our own way. Yours is with music (what a better way to be calm) - mine is to putter and move around and create. For some it is running, gardening, reading a good novel. Whatever it comes down to, that is what we do to get through it, that and having this forum to come in and vent and chat and receive many hugs from many wonderful people. Keep us posted please. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Marilyne

    Sissy
    Marilyne, You are hysterical!, I love the ocd on crack line. I'll bet the scan will come out clear. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers. Lori
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    Hi Sandy
    I am happy to hear that they were waaaay wrong on the size of the tumor. I am also hoping that the other masses are just benign. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Take care
    Nancy
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    z said:

    Sissy
    Marilyne, You are hysterical!, I love the ocd on crack line. I'll bet the scan will come out clear. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers. Lori

    Thanks Lori. If you saw my
    Thanks Lori. If you saw my cabinets, you would understand. My husband says that when I die he wants them to autopsy my brain. He's positive it will be categorized and compartmentalized into little boxes all neat and tidy. And this, coming from a man who if I didn't live with him would be on Hoarders. lol. What a pair. Hugs, Marilyne
  • patacz
    patacz Member Posts: 64
    sandysp said:

    time fillers
    I get you totally. I even started a puzzle and work on it in bits. I started Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" and bought some comedy dvd's and the third and fourth seasons of "6 Feet Under" which totally absorbs me so I know what you mean. I have energy today. Yesterday after the exams and meeting with the doctor I was wiped out. I need to get the cleaning bug, but it won't happen until after Tuesday's rehearsal. Them this place is going to get a good once over.I guess you just have to go with the ebb and flow. The challenge is to accept and live.

    Music is a favorite of mine
    Music is a favorite of mine in times of anxiety, it transports me to a differnet dimension, I also read and watch movies, comedy in particular. Hoping that you go home the same day, and that everything goes well. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!
  • Gulamin
    Gulamin Member Posts: 134
    duckyann said:

    Hi Sandy
    I am happy to hear that they were waaaay wrong on the size of the tumor. I am also hoping that the other masses are just benign. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Take care
    Nancy

    Thinking of you!
    thinking of you...
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    sissy310 said:

    Was happy to hear that they
    Was happy to hear that they staged you and that the tumor was smaller than they thought. I am praying that the other tumors are benign and am anxiously awaiting to hear the results after your surgery on the 15th. Regardless having them removed they will be out of your body. I tend to accelerate my 'busyness' as the time gets closer for a scan for me. You can tell how much gets done by when the scans are. Right now my house is spotless and my cabinets look like someone with OCD on crack rearranged them. My scan is next Tues. By the time I get to see the oncologist the following week, I will have organized a few clothes closets and driven my husband to drink. Then when scan comes back clear, I will settle down and relax a little bit until the next one. We deal with our fears and anxieties in our own way. Yours is with music (what a better way to be calm) - mine is to putter and move around and create. For some it is running, gardening, reading a good novel. Whatever it comes down to, that is what we do to get through it, that and having this forum to come in and vent and chat and receive many hugs from many wonderful people. Keep us posted please. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Marilyne

    How did your scan go?
    I just realized it's Thursday. Are you okay?
  • Captain11
    Captain11 Member Posts: 88
    Hi, good luck on your
    Hi, good luck on your surgery. I hope all goes well... keep the faith and keep a good sense of humor.. I watched the complete series of Hogan's Heroes and couldn't stop laughing. All the best... God bless