Some answers and even more questions then ever before. Nothing dire, not horrible news.
No stage was discussed.
The biopsy results aren't back. So with no confirmation staging can't happen. He 'suspects' it's Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus. Again, not confirmed.
It's not rectal cancer, it is anal. That distinction was clarified. So it's not rare afterall. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is rare in the rectum but NOT rare in the anus. So that's better than the first guess. Same outcome but not quite as scary.
He wants to do another sigmoid scope and look at the previous surgical files that are too old to be online. He is also chasing down what the problem is with the second biopsy. He called us while we were on our way home. He had a few more history questions. I was able to confirm that the pet scan showed no lymph node involvement.
My file is going to a panel of oncologists to look for a plan. Typically chemo and radiation would be next step but my chrones, scar tissue from previous surgeries, fistulas and history of infection will in all likelihood preclude the chemo/radiation protocol. He feels the board won't even offer that as an option.
Both surgeons have been clear that I would most likely be fecal incontinant and possibly urine as well with chemo and radiation. It could also aggravate the Chrones.
For best outcome protectomy and stoma are advised.
He asked what my preferred choice was. Both are horrific. I would lean to the ileostomy though.
The pet scan did not light up.
Read that again.
The pet scan did not light up.
Not even at the anus.
I'm hanging onto that sentence.
The pet scan did show two tumors in the rectum that did not show cancer.
Also a spot in my right breast. Also not showing cancer but he's sending me to a breast surgeon to be safe.
The ovary showed nothing.
The uterus showed nothing.
The existing surgical hernia can not be repaired.
He said usually a 5 day stay for protectomy but he anticipates complications and a longer stay for me. Recovery will be many months. Risk of infection and perineal hernia is high and even higher for me.
Guess how many times I've been told I'm complicated?!
I'm sure I've missed some of today's low down. It was a LOT.
We went in there having zero clue. Anywhere from stage 0, cancer is gone, you're good to go home, all the way up to stage 4c terminal, you're good to go home. It was draining getting to this appointment. We didn't talk the whole way there.
So while not great news and horrible choices. Both options requiring a lot of healing and lifelong implications it's not the end of this battle. It feels a tad more doable today than the nightmares of yesterday.
Funny moment. Dr. McPhearson said he wanted to do another sigmoid to see for himself. Because, although the first surgeon took great notes it's like two different people describing a garden. So my literal mind immediately thinks he just referred to my butt hole as a garden. Haha. Get that out of your mind.
We're home. Tired. Eric is napping. I'm on the couch, bleeding and uncomfortable from another rectal exam. Yeesh. Dinner is prepped already. The boys are home in an early dismissal day. Fei is studying. Jia is at work. Lili will be home for dinner after work.
