This page has not been updated for ten years. :) Lots happening on my journey since then and gratefully still here to share it all. Please go the UPDATES link above to view my journey since 2014. THANKS!
Medical history:
In January of 2013, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. It came with some good news and some bad news. Good news is that it tends to be a more-slowing cancer. Bad news is it is considered incurable by western medicine as no treatment has provided a complete remission. I had a choice of starting immediately with treatment or waiting until the symptoms begged for relief.
I chose "watch and wait" and have been monitored every several months to check the progression of the disease and determine if treatment is needed. Of course, I didn't "watch and wait" but began an anti-cancer healing regime to give my body, mind and spirit all the loving, healing energy to return to perfect health :-). As of this date, I have kept those buggers at bay and have had no need for treatment.
In February of 2014, I discovered some rapidly growing lymph nodes in front of my ear and under my jaw. I checked to make sure it wasn't a dental or ENT infection and that my lymphoma markers hadn't shot up rapidly and the lymphoma had turned into a very aggressive, rapidly developed form. All were fine. When I saw the lymphoma specialist for my check up in March 2014 she was quite surprised by the size of both these enlarged nodes, which had begun to cause pain and discomfort. She figured it was the lymphoma but after biopsies and pet and ct scan, it was discovered that it was squameous cell carcinoma metastasized from the skin to the lymph nodes and advancing very aggressively into stage 4 disease. They found three areas of tumors - parotid in the front of the ear, under neck/jaw heading to the back of the neck and one that had not been seen/palpitable at the base of the skull. At first they thought it may not be operable because of the tumor at the base of the skull, but after consulting with the tumor board at City of Hope, they decided that surgery was a feasible option. They have called in a specialist surgeon from Huntington Memorial who has expertise in going in through the base of skull along the facial nerve, along with two surgeons from City of Hope. This all day surgery will be Wednesday, May 7th, beginning at 7:30 am. Much will depend on what they find when they open me up as to what is involved with the muscles, nerves and bones in order to create healthy margins around the cancer. For sure reconstruction, rehabilitation and radiation…. and the rest will unfold as the surgeons do their amazing and skillful "cut and paste" surgery :-).
More to come. And soon an update on the good news from surgery day :-)!
LATEST UPDATE:
Hi all,
Sorry I haven't written sooner. The pain has been kind of crazy in my head and neck combined with trying to tie up loose ends with clients/classes, etc. On Monday I went in for my pre-op and they told me that they were able to re-schedule the surgery a week earlier. So it is Wednesday, May 7th instead of May 14th Yeah! The surgeons had do a lot of juggling and phone calls to patients convincing them that it was okay to postpone their surgery. Nice that they went to bat for me because they recognize the importance of an earlier date. It was impossible for the three of them to do anything earlier. Spent the entire afternoon at COH. My white blood count was high (mine usually on the low side) but they said that was from infection in the cancer and no way to clear it out right now. Guess that's why Ive been having some fever.
The EKG came back off but they decided that my functional capacity (tai chi, etc) was good so the anesthesiologist said no need to redo. Off a lot of pain killers and herbal supplements a week before surgery due to concerns about blood thinning, etc. . Only can takeTylenol -- ain't the greatest in the face of intense pain but at least something. :-)
They have cleared the entire day in the surgery room. They said 7:30 for start time. Of course I will arrive earlier to get ready, meet with surgeons, etc. After the surgery I will go to ICU... then probably the next day to a hospital room. I'm going to wait till I'm back home and settled for visits from friends. I'll be pretty out of it at the hospital and mostly just wanted to relax.
Thank you for all your emails. My apologies if I haven't returned the favor in too timely of a way. I deeply appreciate all the love, positive thoughts, expressions to help, prayers and good spirits. A lot going on now and so kind of challenging to respond to everything.
I'm easing into the surgery seeing the entire day going smoothly, calmly and, between their expertise and divine healing, better than the surgeons ever could imagined, And afterwards hearing nothing but good news when the surgeons meet with me the next day. Please see the same image and fill that day with your love, light, grace, healed thoughts and prayers for the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery.
I love you all, appreciate you all and feel immensely blessed for your love and support.
My sister is putting together a page that will give you all updates on the surgery and, for those of you that have offered help, a chance to give her your email and what is the best way for you help (if needed ) i.e. run an errand, cook a meal, etc. You should be receiving that within the week.
Much love, hugs and gratitude,
Suzette
This has not been updated since 2014... but all the latest medical updates are included in the UPDATES link above and in my book :-).