Screening
On the 21st I went into OHSU for my first screening. I was a little anxious leading into appointment, but confident as well considering it is not the most serious condition. The CT scans on my lungs came back clean and the x-rays of my foot looked great. I was informed that I would only have to come back for screening every six months. When the scarring heals I will post a final photo of my foot.
2nd SurgeryMy second surgery was scheduled for December 13th. The doctor and other OHSU doctors had determined that it would be best to amputate the 3rd array (toe and metatarsal) from my left foot. I did not want to go through another surgery and subsequent recovery, but I was happy to be getting rid of the thing. The surgery was at 1pm. Once you get your gown on you just sit back and relax on the bed with a blanket while all the doctors and staff come to see you. The doctors and staff I met before the surgery were very nice as usual. Once I got my IV in they put some anxiety medication in it which was great. They didn't start the anesthesia until I was on my way into the operating room. For some reason I really enjoy being wheeled around on the stretcher. It is funny how quick the anesthesia hits you. One minute I was in the telling the operating room staff how wide awake I was and the next I was waking up being wheeled out. I made it out of surgery by 3:30pm and was ready for my first overnight stay at the hospital. Unfortunately, because no rooms were available I had to stay in the post op area till about 7 with no food or water. When I was finally wheeled into my room Cori was there waiting for me and I ordered a big meal (it had been almost a day since I had eaten). The stay wasn't as great as I expected, but it is hard to complain about a successful surgery. Also, it was hard to complain about having four days off work, even if one was on the operating table.
|
Scans OK
The imaging of my chest revealed that there was only a couple of small spots showing on my lungs. The spots were not big enough to diagnose, and only future imaging would be required. It was pretty nerve racking walking into the doctors office and waiting for the results, but great to get the good results.
Diagnosis
In October, I went in for my post op to see how the wound was healing and to hear the pathology results. Unfortunately, the doctors assistant said, "It is a cancerous tumor called Chondra Sarcoma". It was not the best news, but at least we finally knew what it was. The good news was that it was a type of cancer that was less likely to spread or metastasize.
1st Surgery
In August, a couple weeks prior to my wedding, I went to see the doctors at OHSU to have the tumor diagnosed. I had already gone in to Providence on Barnes Rd to get the MRI. The MRI machine was loud and took longer than I thought it would. Glad it was only my legs in the tunnel. There was some good news from my doctor. The tumor did not look too serious and I planned to have it removed after my wedding and honeymoon in early September. Awesome! I was blessed that my foot did not give me any problems on our amazing honeymoons to Hawaii and Alaska.
My first surgery was in early September to excise the tumor. We checked in at 5:30am and were out by Noon after the successful surgery. I treated my self to some fries and a shake from Burgerville on the way home. Besides the first few days when the pain and nausea was at its worst the recovery was quick and easy. My favorite part was riding in the wheelchair at Costo.
My first surgery was in early September to excise the tumor. We checked in at 5:30am and were out by Noon after the successful surgery. I treated my self to some fries and a shake from Burgerville on the way home. Besides the first few days when the pain and nausea was at its worst the recovery was quick and easy. My favorite part was riding in the wheelchair at Costo.
Foot Pain
In July of this year I went in to see the doctor about the lump on my toe that had become increasingly painful to walk on. Assuming it was the result of the joint having been broken so many times by my clumsy ass I assumed it may need surgery. I was referred to an orthopedist who had me take some ex-rays. The orthopedist came back to the room, showed me the slide, and said it was a tumor. All I knew about tumors are from the crazy videos I have scene on youtube. I was surprised. You never expect to hear something like that from a routine visit. She asked if I had anything similar anywhere else and I was like, what?!? tumors can spread? She then said she was sure it was benign and I was like, what!?! it could be malignant?
The orthopedist said that some of the bone and tendons had likely been deteriorated by the tumor and amputation may be needed.
All in all though, for whatever reason, I more worried about being on cruches during wedding/honeymoon than I was about the tumor itself. I was still unaware of how dangerous these things can be.
The orthopedist said that some of the bone and tendons had likely been deteriorated by the tumor and amputation may be needed.
All in all though, for whatever reason, I more worried about being on cruches during wedding/honeymoon than I was about the tumor itself. I was still unaware of how dangerous these things can be.