Recovery I

About this time a week ago I was leaving the operating room. Drs had just finished the most critical step of this whole cancer process - the removal of the cancer and cleaning the margins... It's been a tough week, yet recovery is going well. I've been able to walk slowly with the help of my new friend - a walking cane. Since Sunday I've been on and off my pain medication - most times off. Yesterday I went to the Conference Office for 2hrs to attend the Executive Committee. My leg reacted well and it was very encouraging.

Friday evening I removed the dressing and looked at the incision for the first time. It's long, as you can see in the picture, but it's healing well. I'm starting to feel some of the same sensations I felt few days after the biopsy. When nerves are trying to 'resuscitate' you feel a lot of weird feelings such as electric shots running up and down the leg... this is going to last for a while, I know. For now I must concentrate in getting enough rest and proper healing before radiation treatment.

Surgery Report

I woke up from surgery around 6 pm. I don't know why but the nurse was trying to convince us that I should go home that same evening (crazy!!!). She had no idea what she was suggesting. I was feeling terribly sick! I couldn't keep my eyes open, I was throwing up, and D had to keep reminding me I had to breath... That was a loooooong night. In the morning, however, I was feeling much better. My cousin came to see me and a bunch of other people from different departments showed up to make sure I was okay before I go home. A PT brought some walking devices for me to try. The walker was too big, and after trying the crutches I decided for the walking cane... It's been very helpful to have it at home.

Around 12pm a Resident that helped dr. Aboulafia showed up to talk to me. I was eager to get the report about the surgery... He said everything went well. They had to take a small nerve out that was intimate with the tumor and that will result in some permanent numbness in parts of my thigh. They also removed part of the Sartorius muscle in order to clear the margins. They were satisfied with the procedure and they believe they took all the cancer out.

So far, besides numbness, I didn't notice any deficiency in mobility (I know it's early to say anything). I still have most of my movements, and I realize it is early to evaluate cause I'm very handicapped still due to a recent procedure. Yet I hope and pray I'll be able to regain strength in the thigh and have enough mobility to continue to enjoy things I love such as playing ball with my boys.

Surgery day - a day of miracles.

Tuesday, I woke up feeling well. I was scheduled to be at Sinai hospital at noon - two hours before the procedure. Monday when I called to possibly cancel the procedure due to a cold, they told me to keep the plan and let the anesthesiologist evaluate me on the day of the surgery... So, my wife and I drove to Sinai not knowing what would happen. Around 2pm they called me in and I had a chance to see a doctor. After a few questions he, without hesitation, gave the green light for surgery. I got soooo happy. It would have been a disaster to reschedule it and a number of other things around a new date. God is good - the first miracle had just happened!

I was the last patient to be operated by Dr. Aboulafia. He said it was planned in such a way to allow him extra time to spend with me given the nature of the procedure. He drew marks on my thigh and went over the whole plan with me one more time. The most difficult part of the procedure is that the tumor grew right next to a nerve and he wanted to save it... Before he left the room, I said: "I want you to know there are a lot of people praying for you today." He thanked me for that - The second miracle was happening - the miracle of prayer.

I kissed my wife goodbye and fell asleep (general anesthesia) shortly after. When I woke up around 6pm I touched my leg and the first thought that came to mind was cancer is gone - the third miracle had just happened!

Cold + Surgery = a new date.

I'm only a few days away from my surgery - the second one to remove the rest of the tumor and clear the margins - and I got a cold! I can not be sick on Tuesday or else the procedure will have to be postponed... I'm trying everything possible to get well by then. The cold is running its course and the only thing still bothering me is a weird hoarseness and mild cough. For the coughing I'm taking honey with pineapple and hope that will clear by Monday.

Cat Scans

Because Myxoid Liposarcomas are unique and it may spread to any part of the body, I had to do three cat scans: Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis... they got scheduled for Wednesday before thanksgiving... I had them all done in about 2hrs (with contrast) and came home with the images, but had to wait till Monday 28th for the report.

I can honestly say that those days (Th-Mon), waiting to know whether I had cancer elsewhere, were very difficult for me and my wife. It makes one think about what is really important in life and, in my case, brougth me closer to God... BTW, I dont know how people face similar situation(s) without God. 

On Monday, Nov. 28, I headed to Sinai Hospital for a doctor's appoint. and to receive the report of the cat scans. Before I saw Dr. Aboulafia a physician assistant examined me. She asked if I knew the result of the Cat Scans, and shared the great news "It is clean, no metastasis." That was one of the best news ever. I was soooo relieved!!! I called my wife and parents to share the good news... God is good and he continues to have plans for me. Now, I have to wait till Tuesday, Dec. 06, for my next surgery and in January start radiation.

Myxoid Liposarcoma

On November 09, I headed back to Sinai Hospital to see Dr. Aboulafia and get the biopsy result. My lovely wife was with me. As we waited for him I told her that I was under the strong impression that he wasn't going to give us good news. Sure enough, a few minutes later he walked into the room, sat down and broke the news: "Your tumor is not a nerve sheath tumor, and it is not benign" were his exact words. "So, it is malignant" he concluded. And then, he added "Take a deep breath, and I'll tell you all I know about myxoid liposarcomas, and give you the good news..."

The good news is that my cancer is 100% treatable. Praise God! It is very sensitive to radiation and it was at stage 2 (grade 1-3). The size of the tumor was about 10x7x3 cm. The next steps will be: (a) Cat Scan of Chest, abdomen, pelvis to find out whether the cancer has spread. (b) another surgery to clear the margins (they always do that when there is malignancy). (c) several sessions of radiation. The exact number will be determined after the second surgery.

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 06, radiation will happen in January & February, and Cat Scans were done last week. That's what my next post is about.