We got up really early in order to beat the traffic out there. Driving to San Fran is weird, you have a small window to leave the house.. 15-30 minutes outside of that window and we would have been 1 hour late! However, we ended up getting there 1 hour early!!
In UCSF, the radiation department is down in the 'basement' of the hospital. I must say that out of all the departments I have been to now, Radiation is just sad. Its quite, and filled with older people that can barely walk with no hair. Again, I didn't want to be there. I wanted to turn around and leave! Seriously, If I ran that department, I would have happy music and a TV with a funny show or something to get your mind off of whats coming behind those double doors!
In all my consultation appointment was only 1 hour. Most of the time was taken up by the nurse taking my vitals and a Resident who was going through my series of events. Once Dr. Gottchalk came in with his assistant, we had a full room!! 5 people in all there for me. Dr. Gottchalk specializes in intraoperative Radiation (meaning he is really good at administering Radiation during surgery), He too is also a Professor at UCSF.
He explained to me that Dr. O'Donnell will 'do his thing' to remove the tumor. He will then call for Dr. Gottchalk who will place the radiation directly into where the tumor was. HE explained to me that he will do his best to not radiate my nerve. Currently the tumor lays against my nerve and if Dr. O'Donnell believes there could still be cancer cells left around the nerve once the tumor is removed, then Dr. Gottchalk will Radiate that area. This could leave me with no feeling in my right leg.
Dr. Gottchalk told me that after they pull the tumor out it will be sent to pathology. Pathology will 'cut it up' and really be able to determine the grade of the tumor officially. At that time, we will know if I will need radiation after surgery as well. If I need Radiation after surgery, it will consist of treatment Mon-Fri, for 5 weeks!
I signed the consent form for both, during and after surgery Radiation treatment (just in case), so I wont have to return for an appointment just to sign another form.
Probably the BEST news of the day is that I will NOT need to 'freeze my eggs'. Dr. Gottchalk uses a 'cone' shaped shield during intraoperative Radiation so that the radiation is directed only towards the area affected. Boohyah!
There was no news about my MRI scans and the two additional lumps in my body. I should hopefully hear about those MRI's by next week.
If you are continuing to pray for me, please pray that the surgery goes well. That the Pathology shows I will not need follow-up Radiation.
Jennifer, I will continue to pray for you and your family. I am always available to talk if you need. Take care!
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