Biopsy

Hi Guys,

well I had my little outburst the other night over the confusion with the tumor that they removed. I have since found out that the amount that the surgeon removed was smaller than what was recommended and that makes me a bit cross because I may need to go in and have the rest out. For this cancer it sounds like 4 mm clear margin around the tumor is recommended and the surgeon only allowed for 1.5 mm clear margin around mine. Yep, they were clear margins but it is recommended to help it not spread for it to be 4 mm. We are busy getting advice as to whether I do need to have more taken. The Queensland specialists should know. I hear that they are the best with cancers of the skin because the incidence of cancers similar to this are high in Queensland...high in Australia. I still have not physically spoken with them yet. On Monday I had an appointment with my head and neck oncologist who will arrange for the tumor slides to be sent to Queensland, Brisbane, for someone high up to take a look as a second opinion. We should find out more then and be able to clarify some things. Also my head and neck specialist will be holding a meeting with the other oncologists in the cancer center to discuss my case and be able to give me the best advice on what his thing is and how it should all be dealt with and follow up. So the ball is now rolling. I feel a bit better knowing there is a plan taking place.

Today I had my gynae appointment. I didn't have to convince my doctor about the biopsy. She thought under the circumstances of my head cancer and FA, that even though the sore spot doesn't appear to look like a nasty cancer, we didn't want another surprise....so she biopsied it today. I was heaps surprised. Usually you have to demand! Hehe. The local anaesthetic hurt SO much! OH my.....it hurt like someone was sticking a hot needle all the way through to my back. I was so thankful that my mother in law was with me. We giggled together. You see, a daughter is usually very close to their own mother. I am very close to my mum. However, having FA has also caused me to be very close to my mother in law too. She is like another mum! My mum hangs out with me on most Tuesdays and Alan's mum hangs out with me on most Fridays. We have managed to bond very closely due to these regular days and I am so used to having Denise (mother in law) with me at procedures and appointments. We are close. However, not many people are close to their mother-in-law like this....their mother yes, but not in law. So we have a unique relationship and it doesn't feel weird at all. It is just funny. She was holding my hand while I had the local and biopsy. I was covered. No one would think it was weird if my mum was there but we do have a unique mother and daughter in law relationship. It is good though. I like both sides of the family to be close.

So I have 2 stitches from the biopsy and go back in a week for the stitches to come out and for the pathology results. Good news is that even though my platelets are lower, when she did the biopsy she noted that I didn't bleed excessively and it didn't ooze. I had not had any support platelets. The haematologist said that if I oozed they would give me one if needed but otherwise my platelets are fine. That was good.

My dad is home. Please continue to pray for him. They are not sure if dad has TB and or pneumonia. He got home today and went to the doctor. They have supplied him with masks to wear in case it is TB and are testing him. We should find out by Monday. He has been really unwell. So he is isolated at home with the masks that he has to wear when around people. Poor dad. We can't even see him. They will do a test in 6 days for Malaria again as well.

Well, Alan and I are going to watch a movie.
Bless you all,
Charisse