Update on Pam's Health:
Hello Everyone,
It has only been a few months since I wrote telling you that my mother was doing well and had a good health prognosis. Unfortunately, I'm writing today with some scary news and asking you all to keep my mother in your thoughts and prayers.
She was scheduled yesterday for an outpatient procedure to have her ovary removed. They did not follow through with the procedure because they found suspicious spots on her ovary, intestine and near her liver (above it, but not on it). Before taking her out of surgery they sent a sample to pathology and the results came back positive for epithelial tumor which they believe to be malignant and reported to my Dad that they found more cancer. Needless to say, yesterday and today have been very difficult and emotional.
Her primary physician said it is "very unusual" - it could be the breast cancer, it is more likely ovarian cancer, but she is missing some of the traditional indicators for ovarian cancer (blood tests showed very low CA-125 count, her ovary has shrunk since Spring - not grown). My Dad and I are suggesting that it is just like my Mom to have to be unique.
We know very little at this time. They have scheduled an appointment with a specialist (Dr. Perez) for tomorrow. They are confident that she will face an involved surgery to remove all of the "spots" they find, her ovary, pelvic lymph nodes and possibly part of her intestine. My Mom is extremely organized. She's been on the phone organizing conversations between various doctors and lobbying to find a way to get the surgery done soon. Apparently surgeons are busy in December as lots of people schedule procedures before end of year due to insurance deadlines.
I will do my best to keep you all informed as we learn more. My mom asked her primary doctor what she should be doing and she suggested my mom go and finish her Christmas shopping. So - that is what we are going to do today. My sister found a way on to the first flight out of France and should be here tonight. Please do send positive energy our way, but I would like to suggest that people not send flowers. Although kind and beautiful, Mom has already decorated for Christmas and the festive house is full of greenery plus a few arrangements that have already arrived.
Wishing you and yours the best this holiday season. Kind Regards,
Abbie