7 posts shown.
Robin Johnson26 said:Do you think there might still be room for error here? I mean, shouldn't they receive information regarding where the primary site is located according to the PHD?
I’ve been calling to request samples and asking them to send everything over to Washington, D.C.—not because I’m being difficult, mind you—but because the doctor is just absolutely insufferable. She actually had the nerve to tell me I wasn't competent enough to handle this and questioned why I was even interfering with their work...
Angela Wright said:If there is any way you can, please head over to the Mayo Clinic! I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the local Institute... but let's just say the Mayo Clinic is miles ahead when it comes to handling these kinds of situations. Waiting until July 21st for a malignant diagnosis is simply too much time to be left hanging.
Even if we were to go to the Mayo Clinic, I honestly have no idea which department I should even call, or what specific referral I should be asking for... everything feels so incredibly murky since we don't have definitive test results in hand yet, you know? Our local hospital started off on the wrong foot with their procedures, and working with the PHD hasn't gotten us anywhere—they still haven't produced actual results beyond just suspecting it might be a primary tumor. But then again, it's still not clicking for me: we have one clear piece of information—that it is indeed a malignant tumor—so the fact that the doctors are essentially at a loss for how to proceed is truly unacceptable....
Angela Wright said:Mima29, I am truly sorry—I wish I could offer something more substantial than just sympathy, but even hope feels a bit out of reach right now. Everything really hinges on getting a timely and pinpoint accurate diagnosis; that is where the entire journey begins. In this situation, you're dealing with a grandmother who is only partially cooperative and a diagnosis that seems questionable at best... all things considered, it's a very difficult way to start. 😢
I understand completely. Honestly, even I feel lost at this point—with a malignant tumor diagnosis in hand, it feels like everyone is just leaving us to wait in limbo...
Angela Wright said:That PHD could spin any story they want—they're masters of twisting the truth.
Just get the samples and head straight to the Mayo Clinic right now!
Don't you think there’s still a chance for an error here? I mean, shouldn't that PHD be able to provide specific details regarding where the primary site actually is?
The biopsy results have finally come back, though they were processed at the local hospital rather than being sent over to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Here’s what the report states: the sample—which was identified as a lymph node on the left side of the neck—shows an irregular mass measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter. Upon histological examination, the cross-section reveals "follicular" lymphatic areas in the center, which are dominated by necrosis. The peripheral clusters are mostly arranged in a solid-vortex pattern, consisting of polymorphic hyperchromatic tumor cells. Essentially, the histological picture points toward a metastatic, poorly differentiated carcinoma.
My grandmother’s lump has been growing steadily since last Christmas—it’s located just above her left collarbone (I know I typed chest bone, my mistake)—and we simply haven't been able to get it under control... after we finally managed to get her in for an evaluation, the doctor ordered a biopsy. By then (around May), the mass was already about the size of a woman's hand. The results confirmed malignant cells, which led the doctor to initially suspect lung cancer; however, once she reviewed the X-ray and saw the lungs looked clear, she became uncertain. She started leaning toward lymphoma instead and suggested removing a lymph node for testing (the analysis was supposed to be sent to Washington, D.C., but they ended up doing it at our local hospital). Even then, they still couldn't pinpoint the exact cause—they just know there is a primary tumor somewhere in her body. After all this back-and-forth, we are heading to the MD Anderson Cancer Center today, though they have scheduled us for further follow-up on July 21, 2014. We've been going through these exams for a month now without any real answers, and the local hospital actually suggested she be admitted for ten days to undergo more intensive testing—including another node removal and another biopsy—but Grandma refused to agree to that. In the meantime, we have to get deep lung imaging and a full blood panel done. I know how bad this looks—I am painfully aware of that—but we are just searching for even a tiny shred of hope, which is why I came here... I just hope there is still a way for us to help her...
I’m reaching out because I could really use some guidance here... my grandmother has developed a growth about the size of a woman's hand right over her sternum. The doctors are currently suspecting a primary tumor—potentially lung cancer. I would truly appreciate any insights you might have... despite all the tests they've run, including biopsies and the removal of an enlarged node, we are still stuck in limbo waiting for the final results. Our next appointment isn't until July 21st... if anyone has any advice or recommendations on how to navigate this, please, let me know.
Could someone please share their perspective on this: does having enlarged lymph nodes near the left side of the sternum following a needle biopsy typically point toward malignancy? Her doctor is leaning towards lung cancer, even though her X-ray came back completely clear...