After surgery last Wednesday, Dr. O'Donnell told my family that I would hear back in 10 days about the final pathology report. Everything is still an 'educated guess' until it is finally confirmed by Pathology. Pathology literally cuts up my tumor and looks at all part of it under a magnifying glass.
Dr. O'Donnell called me personally yesterday to see how I was doing. I thought that was all he called about but, then he told me that he heard back from Pathology and wanted to give me some good news!
The good news:
- Officially my Tumor is a Stage 1, Low Grade Tumor. Dr. O'Donnell told me that this is great news because typically Myxoid Lyposarcoma's in a biopsy will show Stage 1 (like mine did) but, will most of the time come out to be Stage 3! (holy crap - I'm sure glad he didn't tell me that before)
- It is very rare to have a Stage 1 Myxoid Liposarcoma
- Officially, I will NOT need chemo!
- Officially the tumor's cells had not split. Meaning the tumor had not metastasized.
Lots of GREAT news!
One thing that he did tell me was that the 'sack' that the tumor was contained in turned out to be really, really thin. In fact, Pathology believes that there are margins involved now. From what I've been told, Margins are similar to percentages of how much of the tumor they believed they removed versus how much could still be left behind. Any cancerous cells left behind will grow into another tumor.
Dr. O'Donnell believes that I will need follow-up Radiation treatment to make sure all of the tumor cells have been killed and to almost insure that it won't return.
Dr. O'Donnell will bring my case to the Sarcoma Tumor board, again. The board is scheduled to meet again this Friday. He told me that My Radiation Doctor, Dr. Gottchalk will be there to report on the Radiation that he gave me during surgery. The Board will help determine if follow-up radiation treatment will be necessary!
I have a follow-up appointment scheduled in San Francisco for next Tuesday. At this appointment I will find out more about follow-up radiation.
If you are continuing to pray for me, please pray for the Sarcoma Tumor Board's meeting this Friday. Pray that they identify whatever treatment is necesary in order to insure that the tumor won't return.
Thanks for reading!
I will definitely keep you and your doctors in my prayers!!
ReplyDeleteJenny:
ReplyDeleteI still cannot except the fact that this has happened to such a beautiful, bright, wonderful person. It really hits home considering I have known you my whole entire life. You are my best friend always have and always will be and I love you so much. I will pray for you and your family and I love you very much!!!
Love Tiffany Hildinger
Boss I reallly don't think it wants to come back after getting it's butt kicked so hard Jennifer Knighten style. Take care- CG..
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds like such good news! Hoping that you don't need radation therapy....I am continuing to pray for you and for a great outcome at your Tues. Dr. appt.
ReplyDelete