Pathology Results

Hello All,

I am going to get straight to it. The pathology on the vulva lesion that was removed on Thursday came back as cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a typical FA cancer. They got all of it, however, pathology shows that the pre-cancerous cells led right to where they excised so more will probably have to be taken out to stop that from turning.

While only a spot of the lesion was cancerous and the rest pre-cancerous, the depth was something like 1.2mm and that is deep enough to concern them that it could have already spread into the abdominal lymph nodes and glands. I am praying this has not happened. Tomorrow we will organise a CT scan of the abdomen and lymph nodes to see if there is any spread. I have been told it is possible that I will need my lymph nodes biopsied and may be removed if there is a problem. I am booked in to see a gynaecological oncologist because this now stretches beyond the expertise of my current gynae. I am booked in to see him a week tomorrow....the 24th of June.

Yes, I feel shocked and very shaken. I was told that this lump looked like an inflammatory granuloma and not anything nasty, although we were cutting the whole thing out anyway. When I had a biopsy done on it last year it came back clear of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. It is horrible how quickly FA can speed things along and I kick myself for not just removing the whole thing earlier. I hope nothing has spread.

When the doctor rang, my heart started to boom so loudly and my hands started to shake and for 45 mins I could not stop shaking....legs and arms and body in general. It doesn't matter how bad you know FA can be. It doesn't matter how many times I am told bad news, I never seem to get used to it and not react. This has greatly upset me and I don't know what else to do but pray and try to survive.

My surgery to remove the lesion went well. A bit of swelling even now. No bruising and no bleeding. The actual day was full of drama but the actual surgery good.

I had my infusion on Friday. I managed to convince the other hospital to keep my IV line in for infusion at another hospital. Infusion went smoothly. I gave another haematologist the new FA handbook and he asked for my autograph, full name and date! Hehe

Tomorrow is my bone marrow biopsy at 1130. I am overwhelmed by cancer issues. I have been fighting for years against pre-leukaemic changes with prayer. I feel overwhelmed in light of the new news. So please pray that my marrow will not have anything bad....I would like for it to be totally normal.

Ok, that is all I have to say.
Love you,
Charisse