Surgery Friday (probably)
Met with Dr. Schenk this morning. Definitely a tumor involving the artery. No way to do a biopsy without surgery. So Friday I’m heading back to Cleveland for surgery. However, in contrast to the neurosurgeon in Indy, the surgery is only to do a biopsy. They’ll go in and from the front of my neck and get access to the tumor for a biopsy. Most likely won’t know anything after surgery. Pathology results will take about a week. This is a much less drastic approach than the proposal from the Dr. in Indy. However, it’ll most likely result in a second operation. Either right away or post chemo and/or radiation treatment. Still is major surgery with the associated risk.
Surgery is tentative right now but almost certain. The tumor board meets on Thursdays and a multi-disciplinary team will review my case to confirm Dr. Schenk is taking the right approach. This treatment method is one of the reasons I didn’t continue treatment in Indianapolis. I know with cancers that patients seen in a facility with multi-disciplinary approach have a better prognosis than those that don’t (at least for difficult cases such as Sarcomas or whatever the crazy thing in my neck turns out to be).
Should the board give the OK I’ll have surgery on Friday, 3/30. Spend the night in the hospital and be ready to go home on Saturday. Recovery time takes about a week but shouldn’t be too bad. I can still do something with the family for spring break (any last minute ideas anyone?) but just have to take it easy.