The botched up biopsy...


October 26, 2009: I am nervous about this procedure, mainly just the bone marrow extraction. I looked up the procedure last night and the needles they use are quite large.  I didn’t write this down in my last entry, but I should probably write about the reason for the biopsy. The oncologist wants to have chromosomal testing done on the tissue because it may help them figure out a definite diagnosis. The chromosome testing can only be completed on live tissue samples, and the sample the dentist sent in was put in fixing solution (this kills the tissue essentially).  This biopsy shouldn’t be a big deal, since they are just going to take a little more tissue.  It should be an in-out procedure and I should be able to go back to La Crosse and resume class tomorrow.  

October 26, 2009, Post biopsy entry:  I am beyond frustrated at this moment. I thought this procedure was going to be simple, but as it turns out I am now stuck at my parent’s house to recover.  The oral surgeon decided that he would try to remove as much of the tumor tissue as possible, since he was already in there he figured why not.  So now I have an extremely swollen face, am on pain medications and have lots of stitches inside of my mouth. I am very unhappy. The bone marrow extraction went well and I didn’t really even feel that part. Now, however, I do have very sore iliac crests. It feels a bit like bruising so it is tender to the touch.  We get the results of these tests at my next appointment, which is October 30th.

October 30, 2009: Lord please give me the strength not to completely fall apart and lose my mind. Today I was hoping to get the results of the chromosome testing, but it turns out that the test was never completed. The oral surgeon apparently didn’t get the memo that the tumor tissue needed to be alive, and so he ‘accidentally put the tissue in fixing solution.’ Are you kidding me?! Without the live tissue the chromosome testing could not be done.

This means several things: 1) We are no closer to figuring out what kind of cancer this is 2) I just went through a procedure for no reason and spent one week recovering from this procedure which put 
me behind in my graduate studies

But not to worry, the hospital has reassured us that we won’t be charged for the surgical procedure and they are putting protocol into place so that this type of miscommunication (missing memos about the purpose of surgical procedures) doesn’t happen again in the future. And this was supposed to make me feel better and less frustrated. I can honestly say that it did not. Now what do we do? You can’t treat something if you don’t know what it is!

Also today they have informed me that I need to have ‘cancer surgery’ (resection of the tumor) done as soon as possible.  I need the procedure immediately because they are concerned that the oral surgeon may have done more damage than good by removing as much tumor as possible. They are concerned about the cells being spread to other areas during my last procedure. Fantastic. I am trying so hard to keep it together and to be strong and not lose it... I want answers that I am not getting and I want this to be over, but I know it is just beginning...

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