2 Years Tumor Free

I have not updated my blog in quite some time. I am happy to say that I have been tumor free for 2 years. After the 2 year mark the chance of recurrence drops. Of course I am not immune to recurrence but knowing the chance has dropped makes me feel a sense of calm. I now have to see my bone oncologist every 6 months for the next 3 years. I had a chest xray done which they said they see something on front view but not the side view which they believe is just cartiledge, so I am okay with that!
I just have to say the week before each Dr appt I worry and stress. I feel like years come off my life everytime I drive into the city to see my Dr. I feel so anxious and worried as I hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Then I get the xray and wait for my Dr to come in and when he tells me everything looks good I just breath a sigh of relief.
My bone has not fused and probably never will but he said the metal has not shifted or loosened which is a good sign. In his exact words "So your foot is no better , no worse". Then his PA asked me if I was going to start a family now. She is new to Mt Sinai and didn't know we already have Julia but then that led me to ask my next question, "Is it okay to go ahead and try to get pregnant". My Dr said I just have to bite the bullet. While being tumor free for 2 years decreases my chance for recurrence, pregnancy on the other hand increases the chance but he said not by a great percentage. So it is something Chris and I need to sit down and discuss. While we would love to add to our family the thought of going through this again frightens us. And of course there is the economy and can we afford to bring another child into the world?

Finally Some Good News

It is not such great news because my bone is still not healed BUT my metal has not shifted which is a great sign. I have been making trips into the city to see my Dr every 6 weeks for the past 15 months but on Thursday he said he does not need to see me until Feb of 2009! I am very happy about this. I will always worry about my foot, probably for the rest of my life but hearing that I did not need to come back eased my worries a tad bit.

It Has Been Awhile

14 months and 2 surgeries later I am still in the same spot! Thankfully there has been no tumor recurrence! Bad thing is my 2 bone graft surgeries did not work! I saw my Dr almost 2 weeks ago and he said he feels I should be able to walk on my foot without the metal and screws breaking or coming loose. I have to wear sneakers only, if I would have been told this last year I would have been so sad but now I feel full of joy, as long as I do not need this 3rd surgery!! If a problem does occur I will need what is called a free vascularized fibular graft....UGH!

I have been in my sneakers for almost 2 weeks and so far so good. I have pain only in my ankle because it is stiff from not using it in over a year. The Dr does not want me in physical therapy because he is afraid the manipulation can damage the metal. So I am happy! I will be even more happier next year when I reach the 2 year mark. I was told when I was diagnosed with Giant Cell Tumor that we would have to wait to become pregnant for at least 2 years. I am eager to add to our family and pray that can start next Fall.

I will be back when I have some more news!

1st Follow Up Visit

2 weeks down a few more to go!! April 10th was my first follow up visit with my Dr since having surgery. I had an xray done and everything seems to be in place. Unfortunately I am now in a hard cast. My Dr wants to make sure that my foot is totally immobilized, which is good for the healing process. The cast is uncomfortable but nothing I can't tolerate. I had my stiches removed, and I kid you not, when I say it was the worst pain I have ever endured. My hip feels fabulous, I am just sore but besides that I have no pain....thank you God! So I got the OK to go out an do things, but if I feel throbbing (which I will because of the swelling) I need to elevate my foot. So other then this being annoying, it really isn't so bad. I guess I have become use to being somewhat immobile. Luckily I my daughter to take my mind off of this, she does something new and amazing everyday, it really is so awesome! Tonight will be my first outting and I am so excited, nothing crazy just out to dinner but with my 2 favorite people, Chris and Jules!!

Some Good News For Once

Just an update...I got a call from the physicians assistant at my surgeons office. She let me know that they received my pathology results. The beauty mark they removed, was as I thought, nothing. The lump that they biopsied on the bottom of my foot, is nothing to be concerned about. It showed fibrous tissue, which is basically an inflammation. So good news to start my recovery period.....only better things are to come. I am so looking forward to walking the boardwalk, down the shore with my family this summer.

I Have Survived My 2nd Surgery

I am now 5 days post/op. Surgery went well I guess. He removed bone from my right hip this time and also added OP-1 (Osteogenic Protein-1) aka (BMP-7). It is used to stimulate bone growth. I am still learning about what this is exactly. I was told 30 minutes before surgery that I would be getting this. I was a bit upset at that, because I like to research everything before hand. I had an epidural and PCA pump for a day and a half to help with the pain, but it just make me sick to my stomach. He biopsied a lump that was on the bottom of my foot and also removed a "suspicious" beauty mark, I haven't gotten the results on that but I am so sure it is nothing. I am doing much better with the nausea but for some reason the pain is much worse this time around. All I can do now is pray to God that this bone graft takes. My Dr said it will take 3-6 months to know exactly how well it is healing. I am just really looking forward to a happy summer spent on the beach with my beautiful family. I hate to be so sappy but I really love my family I don't think I would ever be able to survive all these surgeries without them. They help make my pain better, especially kisses from Julia!! I also need to mention how wonderful Hackensack Medical Center is. The hospital itself is just so clean and the Dr's and nurses from pre-op to recovery to my room were just so caring and comforting, it made a horrible experience a little bit better. So with all that being said our fingers are crossed, praying for this tumor to be gone and my bone to heal nicey nice!!!

SURGERY #2 HAS ARRIVED

So this Friday is the BIG day. I know this will be my last surgery and I will be walking like a pro by summer time BUT I am still scared as hell. Even though I know what to expect I am still scared. The thought of entering that cold , bright OR with 15 people in scrubs, freaks me out. I am not going to lie I was in pain after my first surgery but the pain part doesn;t scare me, it is the major anxiety attacks and hallucinations I had after. The Dr said it was from after effects of anesthesia or from a feeling of being trapped sinced I could barely move. Whatever it is the worst feelings in the world. I am not looking forward to being woken up all night to get my temp taken. AHHHHHHH WHY ME????? This tumor is so friggin annoying and the fact that it is so unpredictable pisses me off! I haven't gotten a decent nights rest in a week I am totally stressing out but I need to just chill and work on my speedy recovery. Soon as I feel up to it I will be back with an update.