We got the pleasure of meeting him because in August on my pet scan something small showed up appearing to look like a cyst behind my bladder. Fast forward to November when they did the CT scan it was bigger by a few centimeters so it was notable on the report and I won an unexpected office visit with Kovitz. We quickly ordered a MRI of the abdomen and pelvis to get a closer look. By December it grew 2 more centimeters, up to 5.5cm. This time they were able to see if was in a bad location behind the bladder and possibly attached to the small bowel loops. So today I went downtown to meet with Dr Fournier for a consult about what to do next. Here’s what I wrote on Facebook to all my followers:
Been a while since I updated everyone so thought I’d do that today. Had my three month CT scan in November and it showed something funny in my abdomen behind my bladder. My oncologist quickly ordered a MRI and the radiologists were uncertain what exactly is showing up but whatever it is, it’s close to the bladder and small bowel. I was sent to and met with a peritoneal gastrointestinal surgeon today. He wants to do a laparoscopic surgery to look around to see how complex this thing is we are dealing with. Then I will have an intense surgery where they open me to remove it. Might need help from a urologist if they have to fix the bladder and most likely will end up with a bowel resection and chemo they place inside the abdomen. The surgery is an 8 hr surgery if this is worst case scenario. He can’t just go in and biopsy it during the first surgery because the peritoneum is paper thin and there’s a chance the scope could rupture the cyst and spill dangerous cells in the abdomen. Prayers please we get this set up soon and for a fast, easy, complication free recovery. Recovery will be about 12 weeks. Not the news we were hoping for today.
The surgeon mentioned several times this could be a peritoneal mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer. Not related to the breast cancer which is odd. Mostly mesothelioma are related to asbestos exposure too and I doubt I’ve worked with asbestos to my knowledge. So we are at a loss for words about this whole thing. Now I sit and wait for my first surgery. The PA Karen Beaty is helping to squeeze me in if there is a cancellation. We hope to get the first and second surgery done within a week of each other so my recovery will be cut shorter than the 12 weeks.