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."
