I went for my follow up with the surgeon today (surgeon #2 – the one subbing for my regular one while she is on vacation), and thankfully he pulled out the drain from my stomach with the bag. The good news? The pathology on the abcess fluid came back, finally, and there were no malignancies there. The bad news? The doctor said the CT scan’s report showed a new mass in my pelvic region. This is in addition to the one on my adrenal gland that is pending for surgery. Needless to say I am not very happy about that news. Nothing can be done for at least 2 months, as they are worried about this current infection. (I am on antibiotics, still.) I will be following up with my regular surgeon (surgeon #1) in two weeks to evaluate whether the mesh from the hernia surgery got infected or not. If it did, I will need to go for more surgery to have the mesh removed and replaced. We’re all praying, at this point, that the infection will just go away with the antibiotics. Surgeon #2, however, is a bit upset that my adrenal mass/cyst is in limbo, and offered to take care of it if the other doctor (oncologist #2) will not. (This is a third doctor who is dragging his feet, not the two surgeons mentioned already. *LOL* I have a LOT of doctors.) I’m sure that offer will make my oncologist (#1 – yet another doctor) happy, as the delay has been making her a bit nervous. I will be following up with her in about 1 1/2 months.
As mentioned, we are making lots of changes in our family and household. For one, because of all these medical issues, and also the CFS plaguing me on top of it, I’ve had to face the fact that I can not continue working. I will be attempting to go for long term disability. Technically, the CFS alone qualifies me…I get severe dizzy spells that put me in danger while driving and the fatigue makes it hard for me to function at work. With the infection and open wounds from surgery, I can’t go back anytime soon, anyhow. I had to let my work know, of course. In light of this we obviously can’t afford to stay living in our house anymore without my extra income. Plus, there’s the problem with the house being contaminated, and everyone in my neighborhood getting cancer. This last hospital stay was the last straw. We realized I can’t get better staying in that house. So, we are going to unload the house as quick as possible, and we have moved in to the PA house with my parents. The house is more than big enough to fit us all. The kids are finishing out this week in their current schools before being switched to the new school system. Lots of adjustments for everyone. But, this will be better. At least living with my parents, we don’t have to worry about my mom uprooting herself everytime I get sick to take care of me and the kids.
I will keep updates coming as developments happen. I have a feeling the next few months are not going to be pleasant with regards to doctors visits…