Going Under the Knife May Be Sooner Than Expected

Last night at 9pm, I had another CT Scan. It's an interesting time of day to have a procedure like that done. The hospital was eerily quiet.

On Monday, my oncologist ordered the CT Scan, as I just completed a round of radiation and chemotherapy. I am thrilled to report that there were no complications that landed me in the hospital this time, thanks to my oncologist who removed Oxyplatin from my prescription. The CT Scan will be sent to my surgeon at UNC. He is going to determine if I should go to surgery now, or continue with more chemotherapy before surgery. Either way, at least six months of chemotherapy is in my future. I'm hoping for surgery now. Let's get this tumor off my liver, the sooner the better. Not to mention, taking this dreaded bag down. I can't wait to poop normally again!

In preparation for my last round of radiation, I sat with my radiation doctor, as is customary. He prescribed 18 straight days of treatment, Monday though Friday. As he sat with me to discuss my case, he told me a piece of data that crystallized exactly what my surgeon at UNC had meant when he stated, "my margins were very close." Apparently, where the surgeon cut to remove my rectal tumor was only 1 mm from my vaginal wall. (I can't believe I'm sharing this with you all). When I discussed this with my oncologist, I shared my fears with her that I may find myself having a 3rd surgery down the road to remove that wall (yikes). She said, "Not really, that's why your radiation is so important right now". So I ask yet another thing to pray for, the preservation of my vaginal wall. I can honestly say, I never thought that I would be asking my friends to pray for ...that. Can you imagine? Eeashhh, it's a bit unthinkable.

I'll add another post to this blog soon when I receive my doctor's decision. The truth... I can wait for my surgery if the doc thinks that more chemo would be best now. The optimal word here being "best." I would like surgery now to be what is best. But not in lieu of my health.