Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Mayo Visit

Leann and I and Mom Sauder left for Mayo's this morning.  Shortly after leaving, I noticed my face feeling funny.  One of the possible symptoms which hadn't shown up yet was facial paralysis.  It was also a possible consequence of surgery.  Assuming that the tumor was pressing more on the facial nerve, it was a hard drive up, but we were glad to be on the way.  It's hard for me to chew (although I did get  most of Mom Stoller's popcorn down) without biting my lip.  It's also hard to close my right eye now.

We arrived early and were actually seen by Dr Olsen and Dr Driscoll, both ENT specialists.  As we walked to the room, it was the hardest time I have had walking yet.  Since then it's been a bit better but it takes a lot of concentration and helps to have Leann holding my hand.  The tumor has definitely grown, as it is now visible in the ear canal, which was not on Monday (at least Dr Klemens never mentioned it).

Dr Driscoll agrees that this tumor has originated in the ear, but feels it is very fast growing.  He does a lot of surgeries in this area of the ear to remove tumors, but most of them are rare and there are many different types he sees.  At this point he has not ruled out infection, lymphoma, benign, or cancerous processes.  Because the various possibilities could lead to totally different treatments, and because it is progressing rapidly, he is going to take a biopsy tomorrow by going into the mastoid bone behind my ear.  This will be enough tissue that they can do adequate pathology to determine what it is.  This biopsy will be an outpatient procedure if it goes as planned.

If we end up with surgery, they would try to schedule it in the next 1-2 weeks.

I'm having a fair amount of pain in my right ear now, so hopefully the vicodin will lessen it enough for me to sleep tonight.  I'm really thankful for Leann being with me.  Those of you who know her will appreciate that she is good at scheduling, logistics, details, etc.  I'm appreciating it immensely now.

Thank you for praying for us.

1 comment:

  1. Derek and Leann,
    I am indeed still praying for you especially that you both will feel a definite peace about the direction you need to go in dealing with all of the decisions facing you. God is a God of miracles and He will sustain you according to His promises.
    Love,
    Aunt Helen

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