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?
9 comments:
Hey Teresa, congrats on the 2 years. I'm just over a year and already trying for another baby. I had fertility problems with my son, so i started trying about 3 months before my 1 year mark - and now it has been over 6 months - no baby, and more fertility issues...
Personally, I feel that if it is going to come back, it is going to come back - and i'm not going to let it rule over me. i pray everyday that i never have to deal with another tumor again, and my doctor told me that we would deal with everything as it came, and not to stress. I agree. Just making past the 1 year mark is big!!!
anyway, don't be scared. easier said than done. if it happens again, it happens, and i will have to deal with it. i want my son to have a brother or sister to play with. good luck with your decision, it was hard for me to finally come to terms with the fact that i was going to start trying even if i wasn't at the 2y mark b/c of my circumstances - b/c if something did happen i would feel guilty being pregnant and having to deal with the tumor - but i believe that everything is in God's plan, and it will work out exactly the way it is supposed to.
Good Luck and congrats on your 2y tumor free checkup. (Oh, and I always get nervous during the checkups too) I also don't think my arm will ever be 100%, it hurts often, but i just deal and i'm happy that i have around 90-95% recovery.
Actually - i came off birth control 3 months before my one year mark. didn't start trying until after my 1 yr checkup...
Nat, sorry you are dealing with fertility issues. You were on birth control pills after the GCT?
Sorry it took so long to respond. I have my blog linked to my junk mail...
Anyway - my doctor didn't say anything about my BCP's. I was on them when i was diagnosed, it was on my list of medications, and he never said anything about stopping. i was on the depo shot for a while, then about 3 months before coming off pills/shot i took ortho tri cyclen for 3 cycles - b/c i've read that the depo takes a while to get out of your system.
my email is ngoddard at cox.net if you want to email me directly. hope you have a great weekend. natalie
hi!i am 32yrs old female.i was been diagnosed having GCT of right talus(foot bone) above the ankle joint 5months back .At present,its 6weeks after my surgery.They resected the talus bone and bone graft from my hip bone,going tomorrow for my first follow up check up .i am very nervous and scared.i am on nonweight bearing cast.doctor told me before a week on phone ,that start putting foot down and take it very slowly with crutches,which i did for couple of times for few minutes,but was afraid,that it wont do any harm ,if there is less bone healing .so decided to start , only after seeing him and with x-rays done.
there was a bit of confusion in my diagnosis.x-ray and mri shows its a tumour ,but when they did biopsy before my surgery,it showed aneursymal bone cyst.so i was happy.doctor decided they will not do the chemical9nirtogen??) wash,after curretting.
so it was not done.now histopatho report has confirm its a GCT.
my heart says it was cyst,as i remember ,once i got hurt while playing , at the same site.
i am very scared,what will i do if it recurre,as i read somewhere if its not washed with chemical there are more chances of tumour regrowth.since last two weeks having lot of coughing with expectoration.never been x-ray before my surgery.has it gone into my lungs?
thats my story so far..
how are things going on teresa,?
have u planned for second child?
how is your health now?
i wish good luck for you and your family.and thank you very much this blog and sharing your experience with the people like us.i am very grateful.thanks again.
my email id is dr_aad2003@yahoo.co.uk.will wait for your reply.take care
Hi Teresa: My name is Meghan and I recently found your blog. I was diagnosed in March 2010 with a giant cell tumor in my left distal radius. I am currently receiving a clinical trial in Washington DC and have had two surgeries and a lot of hand/wrist therapy. thanks for posting your blog, it is nice to hear from someone dealing with something similar...
I agree, there is a lot of comfort knowing that there are others who know what you are going through. I was diagnosed with GCT in Aug 2010 and had it has been a little over a month since my surgery. They said I'm recovering well but I'm a rather paranoid person so since I found out about GCT, I wonder if any knew symptom I get is a result from it. I really hope not! But ya, I'm not going to let this tumor rule my life. I hope I heal quickly and reach my 2 yr mark too! And I hope none of you guys ever get a recurrence as well! Stay positive!!!
Hello ladies... I recently came upon this blog and an amazed at the fact that I'm not the only one out there with a gct. I was diangnosed with it in march of 2010(in tibia) and have not been able to walk since.I had my tumor removed in june and never healed correctly after four or five oral antibiotic treatment my doctors needed to perform a second surgery. my second surgery was performed on november 10 (a few days after my sons first bday). They removed the cement they had placed in and made another mixture with antibiotic and filled it in place. I had to go home with an iv line and take a 6 week treatment of anti biotic and 12 weeks of oral antibiotic.I've healed pretty well this time around and have not had much pain. My knee joint doesn't feel quiet right but that's ok. Today was my first day of physical therapy, I can't wait to walk... good luck to all of you on your recovery and I will keep you all in my prayers
Hi,
I just came across your blog. Six weeks ago, I had surgery to remove a giant cell tumor in my femur. I thought I had a tight IT band. Thank goodness, the orthopedic doctor had me get an x-ray. Surprise! They replaced the GCT with cement. Today is the first day I can start putting weight (30 pounds) on my right leg. Every week after, I'm to add another 10 pounds. Sending my husband off to buy a scale so I can feel what 30 pounds is like.
I've been keeping a cheeky blog about my experience. It's been the best way for me to stay positive. It's http://www.ellieinla.com. Thanks!
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