Finally, an update on my cancer.

[Longhorn]

There hasn't been much to report the last few weeks unless I just wanted to rant! I was diagnosed with a uterine sarcoma on March 3 based on a biopsy read by a local pathologist, as well as CT-scans and MRIs, and began radiation treatment immediately. I was told I'd be able to get into MD Anderson by that Friday, the 7th or the following Monday, the 10th, so we did not start chemo. Well, no call came and when I called my oncologist the following week, I was told she was out of town for the week. Also, the pathologist at MD Anderson asked for my slides and got them on the 13th so there was no report yet from MDA.

I called this past Monday, the 17th (two weeks after diagnosis,) and found out that the "world famous" MDA pathologist is out of town for this week and on Tuesday I was told that no other pathologist would do the report that he started. I decided to call MDA myself and was told that no one could talk to me because I'm not a patient. However, the lady at the sarcoma center said that I could not get an appointment for a second opinion unless I was 21 days without treatment. I was scheduled to do a second round of radiation on Wednesday and Thursday. I called my oncologist, who was surprised at this news but who also could not offer my any advice except to go ahead with the treatment she suggested (including chemo today) even though she said it would not cure me and has a 50-percent chance of prolonging my life. Also, it could keep me from entering a trial or getting more specialized treatment at MDA. I called the radiological oncologist and he said let's delay radiation since it had already been two weeks so that the clock would keep ticking and not keep me from getting to MDA. In addition, my gyn oncologist couldn't even get the MDA doctor to call her back. So bottom line, I made the decision to quit treatment until I get to MD Anderson. :scared:

I called for an update on Wednesday and found that my gyn oncologist, her nurse, and her PA were all out of the office for the day. The substitute nurse "shared my frustration." :sarcasm: So I started making some other calls. I called my referring gyn who called a friend who is an oncologist in Houston and he suggested I call the MDA patient advocate (and even mentioned taking my case to the press!) She also said she would call my gyn oncologist. I left a message with the patient advocate. My lap-band surgeon also suggested I look into Sloan Kettering in NYC so I called there and they took my information and immediately emailed the info I would need to get an appointment there. However, getting in there would still hinge on the pathology report.

I don't know if my calls had anything to do with it but I finally got a call yesterday that another MDA pathologist looked at my slide and made a preliminary diagnosis that I have a uterine carcinoma, not a sarcoma. Because of this, I should go to the MDA gynecology department rather than the sarcoma department. Today MDA called and I have a tentative appointment of April 1 (no fooling!) and I should plan to stay 5 to 7 days. I won't yet resume radiation just in case it still turns out to be a sarcoma. All of this hinges on the final pathologist report from the guy who has been gone all week.

Since most carcinomas are much more common than sarcomas, I find this news encouraging. Of course, a lot of this has to do with the staging of the tumor and since it has metastisized to my lungs, I already know it is one of the more serious cancers. But I also know that more research is done on the more common cancers so there may be better treatments available. At least now I should be examined by experts and I can get on with getting rid of this thing!

My daughters, son-in-law, sister and I went to a cancer support meeting Tuesday that was most helpful and positive. Also, I bought a pair of cowboy boots and have worn them the past two days -- they are quite comfortable! I got these:



They have gel insoles so now I'm kickin' and stompin and gellin'. :D I also got a spur keychain for an extra jab now and then. I'm feeling great because I'm more than two weeks out from any treatment and the tumor has quit bleeding. I've found a great teacher who can take my classes because my daughters are going to babysit for her son. So everything is looking pretty positive right now. :)

I'm sorry this is so long but if nothing else, I needed to journal it. Thanks for all your good wishes! I'll let you know when there's more news! :hi: