Today, Mom got the results of her PET scan. We saw Dr. Salamat, a younger woman with a thick Indian accent. She came in and started giving Mom options without even giving us the results. Long story short there, we were able to get her to slow down and start from the beginning of the story rather than the end as she was doing after she got off the phone with someone she was talking to about her hospital privileges...while still in the room with us. (Insert frustration here) Like I said, these blog entries will include critiquing by the RN daughter!
According to the PET Scan, the mass is rather large and it has spread into the mediastinum, which is what we didn't want to hear. It is surrounding (not in) some of her blood vessels leading into her heart. They were unable to determine from the PET scan if it was in the lymph nodes. That would be confirmed from a biopsy. Dr. Salamat said at this point she is now considered Stage 3 cancer because it has spread from what we could understand.
When Dr. Salamat came in, she instantly started rambling about biopsy options. We had to have her slow down and go into detail about them. The options were the bronchoscopy by the pulmonologist and the mediastinoscopy by a cardiothoracic surgeon. After hearing details about them both, Mom has decided to meet with the cardiothoracic surgeon for the mediastinoscopy. She decided this route after weighing the options. It is a more invasive procedure where she will need general anesthesia (to go to sleep) and will require a day or two in the hospital. Also, she figures that if the bronchoscopy only would be done, the lymph nodes will still need to be biopsied, therefore warranting the other option, so we took the "if you're probably going to do it in the future, then go ahead and do it now" approach. The biopsy will also tell if she has "small-cell" (the ugly we don't want) or "non small-cell" (the better of the two options). Those results would come during the procedure as the pathologist would be looking at the biopsies while the surgery was going on.
The final decision to do the surgery rests in the hands of the cardiothoracic surgeon. She meets with him on March 24th. From today's experience, we have decided to go to Dr. Brook's office and see him from now on, rather than the pulmonary doctor in clinic at Cass that day this way there is more consistency in her care.
We were blessed to have our pastor there for us today. After the appointment Mom, Dad, Pastor Kent, and I had a great lunch and conversation at Applebee's. This seems to be our traditional stop after appointments.
Thank you all again for the well wishes and prayers. We are so grateful.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ron, Sandi and Family....a lot of prayers are being sent your way. If there is anything we can do, please don't hesitate to call.
ReplyDeleteDavid & Sandra Guffey
Sandi, Mike and I are thinking about you. Remember, he beat stage 4 cancer. Keep a positive attitude. Love You! Pam
ReplyDeletethanks for the up date. it sure helps to keep us all informed.sorry, about your experience with todays pulmonaligist. stick with Dr.Brook. i've worked with him for >25yrs. (they don't come any better)which cardioth. surg. are you seeing?i've recovered alot of open hearts for both Seligson and Foreman. don't let their dry personalities throw you. they are both excellent.i didn't think you would care for salamat??? hang in there. keep the positive spirit.
ReplyDeleteSandi,Ronnie & family--Bless Jennie for this Blog so I can know what's going on in your lives. I agree with you both and Jennie, see Dr. Brooks from now on and go with the procedure on the mediastinum with the cardith. surgeon. Seems like you are making the right decisions. Glad your family and church family are gathering around you for support. That is so important.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers every day. Love, Joyce
Anne, she's seeing Dr. Foreman. I've also heard about how good he is from a couple of staff physicians I work with. Unfortunately the only reason we saw Salamat was because she was at the clinic that day-not planning on doing that again. It feels like things are moving at a snail's pace, but I have been told by several of my peers that have dealt with the same thing and they say the timing is typical. I do have calls in to try to get in sooner with the surgeon, so we'll see how that goes.
ReplyDeleteSandi & Ronnie,
ReplyDeleteChris has been keeping us updated and sent us this email. You have a beautiful family and lots of friends for support and I know prayers work. This is the 3rd time trying to do this as I have a hard time understanding directions in my old age. Our prayers are with you and Ronnie and Dottie and your family while you are on your journey for recovery. You are so blessed to have so many people that love you, and there to help you through this. Love Garry and Judy
Sandi, Dr. Forman did my mediastinumscopy in December (actually he is doing a second one on me Wednesday - long story) When I found out I had to have the procedure I called a nurse friend in KC and asked her advice on who to go to for the procedure. She asked three physicians and two other nurses for recommendations and they all recommended Dr. Forman. Let me warn you he does not have the greatest personality but if you want an icebreaker ask him about his antique car (I think it's a Packard)- he is nuts about that car! Good Luck on the tests. See you at the boat! Claudette
ReplyDeleteJenny, i just got to checking the blog for updates. i got a chuckle from the previous comment about Dr. Foreman's personality:) you'll see for yourself. either surgeon is very good. as i mentioned in my previous email i recovered many, many of their open hearts. mention to him when you see him that your mom is a sor. sis of mine. the night before i left he came back twice to me to give me a hug and said "come back please" why i'm telling you this, is because he is a gentle soul. i will be in porta la verta at that time. coming back the 24th will keep in touch. anne
ReplyDelete