The "opinions" from the first consultation with the surgeon.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Picture of the tumor
Picture of the tumor
Doctor:
*It's a BIG tumor...possibly the size of a small grapefruit, large orange. (I say tennis ball...you judge.)
*Either growing REAL fast or I simply never noticed. Keep in mind, I lost around 27 pounds since Feb/March. I had a thyroid problem and refused medication. Nor can you see this when I am standing.
*They felt it was senseless to do a biopsy because it was too big to leave it there. Rather go in and remove it and see how much area is affected. (I guess a needle biopsy may not show accurate results if a tumor is big.)
*There were other “nodules” as well. Not sure what that is as it was never tested.
*They believe it is a rhabdomyosarcoma (again, very rare in adults except for pleomorphic type.) Woman can get it and it usually in the inner thigh. Mine is on the outer thigh.) They think it’s this because they can’t move it or get their hands under it, it’s attached to the muscle or so it appears. OR liposarcoma (fatty tumor) but embedded in between the muscle. Of course, they really don’t know until they operate.
*The doc said he has seen many docs save the limb; it’s actually not common to lose a limb now. (Although it’s big and a lot of muscle may have to be removed, pray it’s not wrapped around, and then the leg can be saved.)
*They were surgeons, not Oncologists, but consulted with one. Thus, I was referred to a surgeon who specializes in Oncology; he will be the one to actually do the surgery. (if I choose him) :>)
*This may be something that requires what they call “debulking” because it is so big.
I asked a few questions…
*How much time do I have, so I can weigh all aspects of the procedures and options? They said it should be taken care of soon but there’s a lot of preparations and tests before surgery.
*On an average, how many people do you send to the “Oncologist” Surgeon? Zero, I was hoping this would give me an idea of how many times he was wrong.:<( *Survival rate…can’t really answer until they have more concrete facts and know what stage it’s in. (If it’s cancer) He did say, a good survival rate if it’s localized, if not…not so good after 5 years. *What kind of downtime am I looking at? If it’s surgery and only surgery, 3-4 weeks in a bed and then a lot of physical therapy and even more if it’s a big area. If it’s cancerous, surgery plus therapy. Depends on the after treatment needed and what I choose. *What are the odds, they are wrong? He told me the 10% left of the 90. (smart ass! Lol)…BUT, he said they are just going on what the tests show and what they have seen. (all speculation in my opinion) Nothing is concrete until a biopsy is done at the time of surgery.
*It's a BIG tumor...possibly the size of a small grapefruit, large orange. (I say tennis ball...you judge.)
*Either growing REAL fast or I simply never noticed. Keep in mind, I lost around 27 pounds since Feb/March. I had a thyroid problem and refused medication. Nor can you see this when I am standing.
*They felt it was senseless to do a biopsy because it was too big to leave it there. Rather go in and remove it and see how much area is affected. (I guess a needle biopsy may not show accurate results if a tumor is big.)
*There were other “nodules” as well. Not sure what that is as it was never tested.
*They believe it is a rhabdomyosarcoma (again, very rare in adults except for pleomorphic type.) Woman can get it and it usually in the inner thigh. Mine is on the outer thigh.) They think it’s this because they can’t move it or get their hands under it, it’s attached to the muscle or so it appears. OR liposarcoma (fatty tumor) but embedded in between the muscle. Of course, they really don’t know until they operate.
*The doc said he has seen many docs save the limb; it’s actually not common to lose a limb now. (Although it’s big and a lot of muscle may have to be removed, pray it’s not wrapped around, and then the leg can be saved.)
*They were surgeons, not Oncologists, but consulted with one. Thus, I was referred to a surgeon who specializes in Oncology; he will be the one to actually do the surgery. (if I choose him) :>)
*This may be something that requires what they call “debulking” because it is so big.
I asked a few questions…
*How much time do I have, so I can weigh all aspects of the procedures and options? They said it should be taken care of soon but there’s a lot of preparations and tests before surgery.
*On an average, how many people do you send to the “Oncologist” Surgeon? Zero, I was hoping this would give me an idea of how many times he was wrong.:<( *Survival rate…can’t really answer until they have more concrete facts and know what stage it’s in. (If it’s cancer) He did say, a good survival rate if it’s localized, if not…not so good after 5 years. *What kind of downtime am I looking at? If it’s surgery and only surgery, 3-4 weeks in a bed and then a lot of physical therapy and even more if it’s a big area. If it’s cancerous, surgery plus therapy. Depends on the after treatment needed and what I choose. *What are the odds, they are wrong? He told me the 10% left of the 90. (smart ass! Lol)…BUT, he said they are just going on what the tests show and what they have seen. (all speculation in my opinion) Nothing is concrete until a biopsy is done at the time of surgery.
