This morning, Friday, December 21, Bobby went for a PET scan. It took about 3 hours. We came back home and the kids came home from school. We were in the mode for getting ourselves in gear for Christmas. Bobby and Julie got a tree up and decorated and that is the extent of our decorating.
Dr. Albertoli (Dr. Al) called around 3:00. The news was not good. The second opinion biopsy of his cheek came back as malignant melanoma. He said that he needed the results of the PET scan to know what to do next. He wanted Bobby to get in ASAP to see Dr. Yoon in Frederick.
Needless to say, time stopped. The outcome could be very bad at this point. Dr. Al told us he'd call as soon as he got the PET scan results. About 2 hours later, he called us back...the PET scan did not show anything.
This was the answer to all of our prayers. Thank you!
Although that news was GREAT, Bobby still has to have the rest of the cancer removed from the area on his cheek. Dr. Al said it was 2.4mm deep which is apparently fairly extensive. Dr. Al referred Bobby to an ENT doctor in Frederick. His best guess at the next step is to look at the parotid gland. That is the area that would most likely have to be removed/biopsied. Bobby isn't looking forward to that surgery. It is fairly extensive. We will know more about the specifics after we visit Dr. Yoon on Wednesday. We were told that the plan will be to do a parotidectomy.
"The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands. There are two parotid glands, one on each side of the face, just below and to the front of the ear. A duct through which saliva is secreted runs from each gland to the inside of the cheek. The main purpose of parotidectomy is to remove abnormal growths (neoplasms) that occur in the parotid gland. Parotid gland neoplasms may be benign (approximately 80%) or malignant. Tumors may spread from other areas of the body, entering the parotid gland by way of the lymphatic system."
We will see the ENT oncologist on Wednesday. Dr. Al said to expect surgery to occur at the end of Christmas week OR the following week (first week of 2008). I will be sure to update the blog with every piece of news.
As previously stated, and to be repeated:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
We love every one of you and are very lucky to have such wonderful support from our friends and family. We both know that we couldn't do it without all of you.
We'd both like to thank Dr. Flocare for his guidance and support. He is our guardian angel that shows up every time we get ourselves into a mess like this. Thank you Dr. Flocare!
1 comment:
We are thinking and praying for ALL of you. We are here if you need us and appreciate the page to keep us updated. If you need food, errands run, or anything, you name it, we can help you out.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as well, it meant a lot that you would be thinking of us during your own time of crisis.
Love, Pam & Lance and family
Post a Comment