Jehovah is my Rock,
My Fortress and my Savior.
I will Hide in God,
Who is my Rock and my Refuge.
He is my Shield
And my Salvation,
My Refuge and High Tower. (2Sam.22:2-4)
Thank you all for your continuing prayers and well wishes. I definitely attribute the latest news to all of you, and them.
As I mentioned earlier, the doctor was unable to get a tissue sample of the "abnormality" (what they're calling it now) on my pancreas and I was told they would continue testing the surrounding samples they did get, which to that point showed negative results, and that the next move would be to have a Needle Aspiration Biopsy. This probably wouldn't have happened for at least another week, with who knows how long after that we would have any report on the results.
So, my husband and I got in touch with a surgeon who specializes in the field of pancreatic cancer and associated pancreatic research for a second opinion. Although I have the utmost faith in my primary care doctor, and the other doctors who were now involved, we decided that if there were any more tests that had to be done we would go to the best we could find to do them, and basically remove the middle men. I spoke to my primary care doctor and he agreed with our decision, but told me they were still conducting tests on the tissue sample.
Last evening I got a call from my doctor who told me that there had been no new findings on the tissue sample, and as far as his associates were concerned they felt that a needle aspiration might not be the best way to go, as there could be complications due to the location of the abnormality. He suggested the way to go from this point would be Laparoscopic surgery to get tissue sample for testing. He believes the new doctor might recommend this. He also told me that there is a difference of opinion between two of the doctors.
On the one hand the Radiologist who read all of the findings believes the tumor is in one location, and the gastroenturoligist believes it's in another, which would complicate the possibility of surgery, if not making it impossible. (This is beginning to sound like a B movie thriller!)
I was frightened out of my wits when the gastroenturoligist told this to me while I was still in the recovery room, and my spirits sank like Jon Carry's political career. Needless to say, the news that the Radiologist disagrees with this opinion has done much to brighten my outlook.
My husband made another call to the specialist this morning, and we have an appointment with his associate for next Wednesday, which is great because I will be able to vote on Tuesday.
The reason we will be seeing his associate is that the specialist wouldn't have been able to see me for four weeks, but his associate will be able to speak to him and show him everything we have, tests, reports and CT scan pictures, immediately. Apparently all of these doctors work in conjunction, with the top doctor doing any required surgery.
Praise God, I am still showing no symptoms of anything. My appetite is good, no outstanding pain or discomfort, other than those ordinarily associated with the "golden years", have lost no weight, and even my stomach/digestion has come around to acceptable standards of action. I am hopeful, but still aware that there may be pitfalls in this journey.
I want to thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, and tell you that because of them, and you, I feel the warmth and peace of being held closely in the palm of God.
Your FRiend,
kat
Good news. Go with the specialists! Prayers continued!!!!!
LOL, come on katt! Voting doesn't come before EVERYTHING! lol I know Jon Carry is a motivator!
I am so glad everything is still negative. I did some reading about pancreas lesions. I was encouraged. I am hopeful that this will turn out to be a lot of worry over something that will take care of itself or require minimal treatment. I know I tend to be optimistic and I will certainly keep you in my prayers. I'm a strong believer in prayer too, so keep your chin up! Try to enjoy the other new things going on in your life. I know easier said than done, but take advantage of the good things that are happening to you. :)
Praise God for sure! Thanks for the update. Prayers continuing.
If it's any health, doctors were certain my grandmother had pancreatic cancer and had six months to live because of weight loss and tests that they ran. Her weight stabilized a couple of weeks later and she lived five more years with nary a sign of any cancer. Prayers that this is a false alarm for you as well.
Kat, a personal story....recently I had a small skin cancer on the outer inside shell of my ear, and after my GP excised it, he rec. a skin cancer specialist for further treatment.
The specialist looked at my slides and was almost certain it would require extensive digging & removal into the cartilege....
..he prepared me for this and I was planning on a full day at his office, as he scraped, looked under the microscope and scraped again and again.
Much to my joy, he got it all the first time.
He still had to do a small graft to pull the margins together....for many reasons, including aesthetic.
But I was overjoyed....he seemed so sure it was much worse.
I know God tests us .....and I felt like this was a test.
You are sailing through this forum with your positive, God filled testimony and faith.
God bless you!
I pray you will have absolute PEACE!!!
Sounds like a pretty good report, kattracks. Prayers for the very best!
Praying for more good news, Kattracks.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Hugs for you and prayers for you and your family.
We're still praying for you Kat.
Very encouraging news, my friend! More prayers on their way. Please keep us posted.
Sounds pretty good, huh? Continued prayers for you, strong girl!
Jehovah is my Rock,
My Fortress and my Savior.
I will Hide in God,
Who is my Rock and my Refuge.
He is my Shield
And my Salvation,
My Refuge and High Tower. (2Sam.22:2-4)
prayer bump
Keeping you in my prayers as you continue your diagnostic tests. Keep the faith!
Prayers continue for you and for good news.
Such great, GREAT news Kattracks. Believing for more of same.
What's also promising is that there are no hallmarks for malignancy. As my doctors told me when I was diagnosed, if the indicators say "no" or "maybe," then the likelihood of the tumor being malignant is negligible to nonexistent.
Hang in there, kiddo! If a grumpy ol' fart like me can kick this, I know you'll do great.
Prayers for you going up! Please keep us posted.
A prayer bump for you on this Thanksgiving day. Keep us posted, my friend. More prayers on their way.
In Jesus name, Amen!