Gratitude for Nerve Pain

This week brought a few more answers. The quick update is I had the pet scan, and it ruled out any spread to major organs.  We are still awaiting biopsy information. If you want more details, keep reading. 

We continue waiting for answers and clarity on what kind of cancer/cancers we are dealing with.  I was able to schedule the pet scan for Thursday, by going out of the Huntsman Cancer Network, to Revere Health Imaging in Provo, an hour away.  Huntsman's soonest availability was the 24th, and then the 11th, which was still too long to wait and wonder.  The PET scan gave us peace of mind, knowing that the cancer was not spread to any major organs, and is all located in my upper left area, somewhat close to my breast cancer 13 years ago.  There are a couple more spots showing, but in the same general area.  

The biopsy report has taken a lot longer than expected.  Finally, on Thursday, one week after (and after my daily inquiries since Tuesday), my oncologist called to explain the delay.  The mass they biopsied has a different shape than breast cancer recurrence usually has.  It appears more like a type of soft tissue sarcoma, but there are several different kinds of those.  They may need to take more tissue samples to determine more specific answers.  They have now added in an orthopedic cancer team, who will discuss my case during their conference meeting on Monday, and then they will see me afterwards.  The breast cancer team will discuss my case on Thursday.  They may need to take more biopsy samples.  

I've had increasing nerve pain in my left arm, especially in my pinky, and a bit with my ring finger.  It is hard to do buttons, snaps, tie bows, squeeze out toothpaste, and other tasks I took for granted.  This has been going on since October, with more pronounced discomfort as weeks have gone by.  Though the nerve pain and loss of strength and dexterity has been bothersome, it has been a huge blessing because it triggered further investigation, which led to the discovery of the mass in my soft arm tissue.  It is deep in the tissue and not a place that I nor my doctors would check during breast exams.  It could have grown to a much greater size before being noticed.  Now, we can address it in its smaller size.  Another little  miracle, when the doctor told us it may be a soft tissue sarcoma, Scott called Weston, our son-in-law, who is a surgeon at City of Hope in California.  He was at a Mayo Clinic Conference and had just left a class on Sarcomas.  He eased Scott's fears, saying that in the last couple of years, major advances have been made in treating sarcomas.  Another great blessing is that he works for the #5 best cancer hospital in the country.  He set up a consultation with their sarcoma specialist, when I'm in California. 

When people used to win the super bowl, they used to answer the question, "Now that you've won the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?" The answer was always something similar to, "I'm going to Disneyland!"  I'm about to start another big battle, and to kick it all off, "I'm going to Disneyland!"  I'm so thankful that I can make fun memories with some of our grandchildren, and their parents.  It will be great!  

I'll send updates on treatment plans as soon as we know more.  I feel the strength of all of your prayers.  I feel emotionally and spiritually strong.  I feel of your love and God's love.  It is amazing. I give all of the credit to Jesus.  He has experienced everything that we will ever face and knows how to succor us.  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

The Gift That Keeps Giving.

It's been 13 years of fun and adventure, with very few posts to this blog.  But it is now time to update this blog with some new adventures with cancer, the gift that keeps giving.  Way back when I first went through breast cancer, I was told that my type often recurred down the road.  I'm constantly doing breast checks for any changes, and recently had my annual mammogram, which came back clear.  

In July, I started having some swelling and discomfort in my left arm.  I soon realized that it was lymphedema, the condition they cautioned me to look out for after my surgery.  It had been 13 years, but they said it can flare up at any time.  I called my oncologist and shared that I thought I had lymphedema and they connected me with their lymphatic massage physical therapist.  I started meeting with her once a week, and as time went on, my arm started feeling tighter and tighter, with pain as I stretched it.  Over time, my pinky started going numb and losing control.  Finally, my PT said my type of pain was not normal for lymphedema.  She tested my strength and said my left arm was significantly weaker.  She shared that she thought I needed to see a neurologist.  I had to have a referral to see one, and their wait list is about 4 months long.  

My oncologist said "Let's see what's going on before we  send you to neuro."  They did x-rays of my neck, spine, and hand; then did a vascular ultrasound to see if I had a blood clot.  There was no blood clot, but he found a vascular mass in my arm, near the arm pit--a mass about 1 inch wide and tall that has its own blood supply.  That triggered an MRI scheduled a week later to check the mass, and then an additional MRI to check out the neck/shoulder area the day before.  Both scans together show that I have an ill-defined.  infiltrative, heterogeneously enhancing mass encasing the left brachial plexus, highly worrisome of malignancy, approximately 4x3.3x3.7 cm.  I also have a 1.9 cm mass within the lateral deep soft tissue of the medial mid arm.  They are scheduling a biopsy so they know the type of cancer they are fighting.  I meet with the radiation oncologist Thursday morning.  I'll have a biopsy after that.  They've scheduled a PET scan to make sure there are not other areas affected.  I'll update this as I learn more.  

To the handful of people who knew this was going on, thank you for your prayers.  I feel strength and comfort from them.