So it was time to see MDA. (MDAnderson). I went through getting records;(CT, xrays, pathology reports, chemo reports, etc....) My appointment was in November of 2008. We were going there to find a good surgeon to get rid of this lymph node. I had to go through the process though. I had an appointment with a Gastroenterologist. Chris and I sat waiting patiently to see him. A small office with an exam table and a few chairs. In walks the doctor. He indicated that he had reviewed my records. He did not have them all but reviewed what he could. I remember this like it was yesterday. He looks at me and in not so many words starting telling the stats for life or should I say death. He rolls his chair up to Chris and says I am so sorry to have to tell you this. What the hell is going on I thought!!!! This is not a second opinion. I once more was numb! I sure got sane fast though. I turned around and told that doctor. "I understand you like to use stats with your patients, but please do not use them with me." "I will beat this cancer, I have the faith and know God has plans for me". He stopped using stats that day!:) I believe that when doctors use stats, patients tend to live and die by them. He quickly suggested that he obtain more labs. The CEA came down slightly. We were encouraged. He consulted a surgeon, I will call him Dr. V. He is excellent in the field of pulmonary thoracic surgery. He also was considered to be an aggressive surgeon.
Chris and I left the office that day scared to death. That doctor was crazy! OMG he laid that out on the table like it was nothing. I was not looking forward to my next appointment with Dr. V. if he was going to be anything like that one!
Not long after that, while still recovering from that mess, I had my Dr. V. appointment. Talk about night and day! As soon as he walked into the room I knew. Friendly face Wanting to make sure he got everything he would first past a scope through an incision at the base of my neck. He would look at the lymph nodes there. If anything was wrong they would not continue with the surgery. If all was ok they would do another lung surgery. This involve spreading the ribs again and removing one of them completely to gain access. More chest tubes. He would then remove the nodes and the rest of my left lower lobe of my lung. This would leave me with 80 % lung capacity. Ok, so I won't run a marathon! We gave the OK and I prepared for my surgery that December.
The day of surgery came bright and early. I love early surgery, they always go on time. Unless of course your surgeon gets a flat tire and bangs his head while changing it! He was fine. Several hours later it was done. Pain control was great! He had gone in and found that that little lymph node was involved by the tumor site. Everything else was good. He took all my lymph nodes in my chest though for good measure. This man saved my life. He calls me is "Buddy". Man you can call me whatever you want.
My parents who have been there by my side always during these times sat vigil through this to help out Christopher. The three of them are my angels. My mom, oh my mom (yes I am crying) she is the strongest woman I know. 79 and as smart as a whip. Nurse and mother of 6. You never stop worrying about your children. Hers are in their 40s and 50s and she still worries about each and everyone. She has a direct line to St. Jude, probably because she always has that rosary in her hand. I can count on her for absolutely anything I may need. My Dad is my gentle soul who always makes people laugh. He is 82 and loves to come to Houston and drive around in my car which he sometimes gets lost:) He thinks he has arrived when he gets in that thing. He drives the kids back and fourth while I nap. I could not have asked for a better set of parents. I am very blessed.
Well, you remember the crazy stats doctor from the beginning of the story? He is now my primary oncologist but he doesn't tell me any stats unless I ASK! I healed well from that surgery. So now I would have to continue to follow up with the doctor but they wanted me to have more chemo even though I was now considered cancer-free. We decided to still have the chemo at my old oncologist office though.
Next I will talk about January , but first I need to carpool again. A mothers job is never done.
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