Pathology Report: They Got It

Last Tuesday we had follow-up appointments with Tanya's Surgeons, Dr. Lee and Dr. Hsieh.  Both Surgeons told us that they received the pathology reports from the tissue removed during the procedure.  We were also told us that the results while sounding scary were good.  Nineteen (19) of the twenty-three (23) lymph nodes removed had cancer, which appears to be not that unusual for thyroid cancer.  The report showed that there were clear margins around all the cancerous tissue, so it looks like they got it all.  Tanya will still need radioactive iodine treatment to nuke any of the microscopic cancer remnants that might be left.  We were also told that this was in Stage 1, also really great news.

Parathyroid, Calcium Levels and Blood Tests

We were told that during the surgery it was possible that Dr. Lee might remove one or more parathyroid glands in addition to the thyroid, but that this was common and the parathyroid glands would be reimplanted into the muscle in Tanya's neck.  This did happen.  The parathyroid maintains the calcium levels in the blood, among other things, and we knew that Tanya's calcium level might be a little off for a few days.  When we were discharged on Saturday, the discharge slip contained orders for the blood work for Monday to get the calcium levels checked, and for the results to be sent STAT (within 4 hours) to Tanya's Endocrinologist (Dr. Kimmel) and Dr. Lee.  That should be no issue, right?

When we went to the lab where we have had other work done, they told us that they couldn't take the discharge slip as an order for the STAT blood tests. In addition they couldn't seem to be able to fax the request for the blood work to the Dr. Kimmel's office (tried twice) and couldn't find the Dr. Lee or her office in their system.  The lab did draw Tanya's blood, but wouldn't do any tests on it without the order.  I finally talked to the Dr. Kimmel's office and got them to fax the request to the lab.  This whole process took close to 4 hours.  We found out the next morning that the Dr. Kimmel's office still hadn't received all of the results they needed...

Homecoming

Tanya was released from the hospital after lunch on Saturday. She was kept Friday night due to her calcium levels being low, which is normal in this type of surgery. The test on Saturday showed that the levels were going up, so they said she could come home.

This coming week will include more blood tests and some follow-up appointments with her surgeons and Endocrinologist.

Thank you to everyone who has followed Tanya's journey so far, and have sent their positive thoughts, prayers, and wishes. We have definitely felt them.

Resting Comfortably

Tanya is resting comfortably.  She thanks everyone for all of their good thoughts and wishes.  We don't yet know when she will come home, but should know more tomorrow.

Tanya 1 : cancer 0

That's it cancer, you are out of here. Thyroid is removed along with the lymph nodes on the right side of the neck. Tanya is in recovery now and I hope to see her soon; I can't wait. :)

Long Day

Wake Up at 4:00 AM
Say bye to Zachary at 4:55 AM
Leave for Hospital at 5:00 AM
Check into Hospital at 5:30 AM
wait
wait
wait
wait
Surgery starts at 7:40 AM
wait
wait
wait...

One More Day...

The day we never thought would get here is a day away. I can't be it's been over 2 months since Tanya's diagnosis. Thank you to all of those who have sent email, notes, good thoughts, or who have just kept checking this blog. It all means a lot to us.

Sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while.  Nothing much going on besides waiting, and that's not really interesting to read about.  Tomorrow will be a really long day, but I will update as I can.

Comments

I just realized that I was limiting the ability to add comments, so I have opened the comments to anyone who wants to make them.