Hello to all. I'm not sure if my posting is anything other than venting? Maybe somebody has advice? Shared this experience? Or just has an ear or a prayer to offer? I'm scared and confused and have always found writing a therapeutic avenue so where better to post my cancer fears then here?!
Last AUG. my husband was having severe back pain, along with night sweats and fatigue (he has since added a constant cough to his list of symptoms, although he claims the coughing is just a nervous condition:(. His dr. ordered an MRI(last AUG) and diagnosed the back pain as inflammed discs. He gave him an anti-depressant for the fatigue and the sweating was never treated. After trying muscle relaxers and therapy finally the pain got so bad that he wanted to try an epidural type injection in his back to manage his agonizing, continual pain. The anesthesiologist that was to administer the epidural noticed the huge lump that lay parrallel to his backbone. We didn't fully understand his concern as we thought the swelling was an outward sign from the swollen, inflamed discs? Our regular doctor was called in to have a look. They cancelled the epidural and sent us for a battery of immediate tests(MRI, X-RAYS and an ULTRASOUND)after the tests were read we were referred to a neurologist who immediately referred us to a surgical oncologist. Imagine our surprise after a diagnosis of inflamed discs just a few months prior!? The oncologist read his previous tests and scheduled a surgical biopsy the following week. Four hours and 12 sutures later we were informed that it was a sarcoma. We have a follow up appointment in two more days but I have already been trying to get the pathologists report for an exact identification as well as the grade of tumor. (YES! I've been doing my homework in the recent days since the surgery) I've yet to read any good prognosis just based on the two facts that I know to be true. LOCATION(along the leftside of his spine in his lower back) and SIZE, according to the ultrasound (13cmLx7cmWx5cmTHICK) Could a tumor have grown this large, this fast in the 8-9 months since the first MRI? Or could the doctors have missed it back then? The coughing causes me concern that it may be in his lungs too:( Other possible symptoms are a low-grade fever off and on. He urinates much more frequently. The urinalysis detected blood in his urine but no bacteria. Obviously I am very scared, open to advice, suggestions or just someone that may want to share their own situation or fears. I've already noticed, in less than a week after diagnosis, that friends and family seem to think if you don't discuss (dwell is their words) that it isn't as bad as it sounds or maybe it will just go away? I on the otherhand have a need to know and arm myself with knowledge. I don't accept defeat lightly, especially when the threat is my husband. Any responses are welcome. I feel as if I may implode if I don't get it out. Thanks for listening, if nothing else comes from my post at least I was allowed a release. Peace and bless you all. Connie