It’s deadly serious, but it’s also a little amusing: somewhere at Tripler Hospital Friday morning, July 6, there’s a meeting going on among a dozen or so doctors. They’re sitting around a conference table (I imagine) and there’s a laptop set up on which is displayed the slide containing the cells derived from the biopsy I had done last week. I assume this screen display is also projected onto a different, larger monitor which all the meeting’s participants can easily see.
This is a meeting of what’s called a Tumor Board, a panel of specialists whose purpose is to review new patients’ diagnoses and the plans to treat them. One of the reasons I was called to go see the dental people yesterday is that the oral surgeons needed to have data in hand for today’s meeting.
As I say, it’s serious, but I can’t help but feel a little like the off-screen “problem” the law enforcement team is being briefed about on the tube or in the movies.
Board Leader: “The perp has graying/silver hair, hazel eyes and this little issue with his mouth. We can’t do much about the hair or eye color, but we need to correct the other thing. Any suggestions?”
Surgeon: “Cut! Cut!”
Nuclear Medicine: “Radiate! Radiate!”
Oncologist: “Surgery first, then radiation if the first doesn’t work on its own.”
Patient Advocate: “What’s the least harm we can do while eliminating the problem?”
Round and round it goes until a decision is reached. What’s that? Where’s the patient’s voice in this? An excellent question. I don’t even know if there is a patient’s advocate at the table.
As of Tuesday, July 3, the plan is to cut. A portion of the soft palate above the uvula will be scraped off and tested for any cancer cells. If none is found victory may be declared and no further treatment required beyond regular monitoring. That’s obviously my first choice. On the other hand, if cancer cells are found, then it’s on to a six-week course of radiation, one 10-minute session per day, five days a week. That doesn’t appeal for several reasons, not the least of which is that radiation by definition burns, and a burnt mouth is not one which allows for food to be swallowed. That would mean insertion of a gastric tube and eating by IV. Blech.
Warm fuzzies, my friend. Let’s hold onto the idea of “no cancer cells from the scraping.”
Whatever the decision, I hope the outcome is positive and leads to many more posts on blogs and social media from our friend down in paradise. And may you spend several more years enjoying that paradise before you find another one.
Positive thoughts and vibes have been and are being sent your way Steve. Stay positive, brother.
So, is the plan to remove the uvula and scrape the soft tissue at the same time? Sounds like a good plan and I hope that is all that will be necessary. Steve have you stopped smoking?
Urgh. May all be well.
Sending positive vibes!
Nicely written. Wish I could have been there as your advocate.
Grin. Matt, I’m not sure family members count as objective unbiased advocates. But I’m sure you’d have done a whale of a job!
Steve! Hang in there and try not to fret. My friend Gary always says that “Worry is interest paid in advance on a debt that never comes due.” Agreed that patient advocacy in hospitals is a desperately needed thing. sounds like you are on this path anyhow, but FWIW: stay really involved with your care, don’t assume doctors, even nurses are always right, and weigh in with all your questions. Write them down so you don’t forget to ask – and ask for second opinions before they do anything invasive – which is hopefully never! Thinking good thoughts for you!
Kit
If I were you, I’d go for door #1…the negative biopsy will win the game! I’m holding out for that for you!
Hang in there Steve, I’m rooting for you
One more vote for the negative biopsy. What a thing to have to face. I never asked – you aren’t a singer, or are you? I am, and the whole prospect of this just sends chills up my spine. Not to mention the possible awfulness of a gastric tube.
Kit’s friend Gary is right, though. In most cases the stuff you worry about is not what goes wrong. You weren’t worrying about this, were you? See? Hang in there, try to stay cheerful, and hope for good news. If you find your self fretting, go do something you enjoy. And keep us posted.
Whew, thanks much for the update. Now we await, with our best hope, the NEXT update. Meanwhile, we look forward to the usual germane links from the Meister.
I will take scraping the palate for $200, Alex. I am sending the good vibes!
Here’s another vote for the negative results of the scraping. Hang in there.
I like this scraping plan, and I am sending lots of love and prayers your way for a “No cancer cells found” follow up.
It has to be pretty nerve wracking right now, and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with the uncertainty. I’m thinking the good thoughts for you, Steve.
Thanks for all the good wishes, folks. So far I’m reasonably sanguine about it; whether that’s stupidity or trust in the fates I leave to you to decide. 😉
Glad to hear you’re keeping your spirits up! I’ll keep you on the prayer list.