Another wonderful drive into Durham NC (NOT!) but at least I got to see a beautiful sunrise before heading down the long, boring highway (that is the lake near my house that has a 15 foot alligator in it!).
Met with Dr. Bevers yesterday. She was amazing. The first person who actually presented the facts, didn't sugar coat or make their own false assumptions, unlike my primary care physician in Virginia who immediately concluded I had "cancer and it looks like it has moved into your lymph nodes". So many mixed feelings are in my head right now about her work ethics, I can't even begin to share.
According to Dr. Bever, the tumor in my lung did not “light up” during the PET scan so she is less concerned about it and more concerned about the lymph nodes. She said it doesn’t mean the tumor isn't cancer but it could be a different type of cancer, less aggressive, than my lymph nodes. It could also be just a pathogen that formed after an illness (COVID???) . She went on to say her focus right now is on the 2 lymph nodes that did light up during the scan because if cancerous, they could spread quickly to other organs. Because of this, she does not want to take the chance of removing my lower right lobe, all to find out later it was not cancer and I am left with part of my lung gone. Instead, she wants to concentrate on the higher risk area which is my lymph nodes. That makes perfect sense to me.
She further explained to me that the previous biopsy only took tissue samples from lymph node No. 7 and not from lymph node No 11 (yes, I guess they number lymph nodes, who knew). They ended the biopsy thinking they had sufficient amounts of tissue to test. She does not want this repeated again so she is doing a more aggressive approach with this biopsy. She will first perform a transbronchial needle aspiration which is a hollow needle that is passed through the bronchoscope and guided into the area to obtain the tissues samples of both lymph nodes. If the pathologist does not feel there still is enough tissue sample to 100% determine if cancer, she will perform mediastinoscopy during the same procedure. She will make a small surgical cut just above my breastbone. A device called a mediastinoscope will be inserted through this cut and passed into the mid-part of my chest. With this type of procedure, they can take large samples of the lymph nodes which she said will definitely determine if it is cancer and if it is, what type of cancer so they can better understand the best way to treat it. Biopsy No. 2 is planned for next Tuesday, June 18.
Physically, I still feel fine other than my daily stomach issues but mentally and emotionally, this is taking a toll on me. I am doing my best to try and stay positive, keeping busy with the new house, even fostering a new cat (yikes!). Hoping to see if Lexi and her get along as I think Lexi is in need of a friend. Well, I think we all are in need of friends and I am so thankful and blessed to be surrounded by so many thoughtful, loving people. These people are the ones who are getting me through this agonizing journey. So, thank you for being with me on the crazy, scary ride!
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