Very good news so far! Prayers going up :)
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