Potential serious health news

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Tiger8693

Full time employment: Posting here.
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So, I'm up at 4:00AM, trying to wrap my head around recent events. I got Covid 19 in early to mid October, and it hit pretty hard and as part of a hospital visit I had a CT scan of lungs. All is well now concerning Covid, but during the CT, they spotted something on/in Pancreas and recommended an MRI with a special twist called MRCP which focuses on that area. This was done early November. They see a mass that is 3.25cmx1.5cm.

Since then has been a whirlwind. I have been to a couple of doctors (Surgical and Gastroenterologists), but have now decided to go back "home" where my family is to see some specialists for Pancreatic issues and will travel there next week. I will have to undergo a special endoscopic with ultra sound procedure, where they will likely take a biopsy. Pending this result will give more information, but the feedback so far has been likely surgery which involves removal of part of the pancreas. There is some chance for surveillance over time if it is a benign cyst, but the size they said is concerning...

Don't have to say what is all over the news now, but suffice it to say my wife is not doing very well with all of this news, which is also part of my decision to go "home" to these specialists.... Need some people to maintain a little more positive and calmer at least facade, to help me as I am finding myself very nervous, especially in the mornings. I get to work and find myself with literally hands shaking nervousness, that goes away once work issues hit, but I think it is the waking early, the drive in, and all of the time to "think".

Anyway, I am hoping that the silver lining is early detection of whatever this turns out to be, but even early detection as my research has found, doesn't make me feel a lot better. Makes me feel a little better just typing it all out here. I'll hopefully feel the need to update this once in a while, but not sure how news, especially bad news will hit me, so we will have to see.
 
I hope you get answers soon, and that things go as well as they can for you and your family.
 
Wow. Very difficult and scary.

I think you're very wise to try to wait for the full information to come in. Its human to gravitate to worst case outcomes, etc.

But the truth is you don't know until you know.

Two stories to perhaps help maintain balance:

1) I have a close work colleague who, at 50, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Everyone feared the worst. He was told they were going to do the full smash -- surgery, chemo, raditation. They did the surgery and then concluded they got it all. He was out for a few months recovering and taking care of himself. Lost about 30 pounds. Returned to work and is rolling on now.

2) I have a very good friend who's teenage daughter reported pain in her collar bone. Xrays, mass on the bone, bone losing structure. Terrifying for everyone. Lots of tears. My friend who is one of the most stable people I've ever known was simply a wreck. They did surgery, cut out part of her collar bone...and ultimately have no clue what caused it all. They literally sent part of her bone to the CDC with a note that essentially said "Do you have any idea what this is?" Last I heard they never figured it out. She just finished college.

Good luck with the next steps. I hope they turn out well.
 
My thoughts are with you.
The unknown is the worst part.
I know I have in the past researched symptoms I have had on line and it makes your mind wander with all sorts of scary scenarios. The internet can be both a blessing and a curse. Hopefully you will get all the facts soon and proceed with a positive outcome and path forward. Good luck
 
Wishing you the best.

A good friend got a scare from a Cat scan. After the scan, and follow up PET scan, he was told he had a 95% chance he had advanced stage lung cancer. He should get his affairs in order. Due to Covid and other issues, it took a few weeks to get the biopsy. During this time, he assumed he was dying and did his last "good byes" to everyone while he felt OK.

The biopsy came back negative for cancer. He was the 5%. It was sarcoidosis. The radiologists rarely see such a presentation from both CAT and PET that ended up sarcoidosis and not lung cancer.

He now has a treatable disease that is not a picnic, but at least it isn't the worse.

Wishing your further tests come out with something treatable!
 
Please keep in mind the positive stories mentioned above.
Stay positive and let's all hope it was caught early.
 
Tiger,

The unknown and fear of it are such tough things. Getting excellent care is a key and so is your outlook. The steps you are taking seem very smart on both fronts.

A very good friend of mine dealt with multiple growths on/in his pancreas. Due to size and location, the doctors were sure it was cancer. They did a biopsy which had ambiguous results, did not rule out cancer. The doctors felt strongly it was cancer and prepared for surgery assuming it would be.

As I recall the did an initial procedure as part of the surgery and found it was not cancer. They still had to perform a procedure to remove/repair the damaged part of his pancreas but needless to say it was a much less serious affair than if it was cancer. He's recovered fully and all feeling great.

He did find comfort in his faith and also leaning on friends and family. It is my hope that you can find a place of calm and peace as you work through this challenge. My prayers will follow you.
 
Good luck Tiger. If it is pancreatic cancer there is an upside. You may have benefitted from an inadvertent early detection like RBG did. In such cases prognosis can be good. In any event, try to relax until you get complete information. I was once told that a hip xray showed what was likely mediatized prostate cancer. It turned out to be the remains of earlier trauma.
 
We wish you all the best. Not knowing would be unnerving for any of us, as well as our friends and family. As others have said, it may be a false reading, fingers crossed. And it appears you’ve caught it early which also helps. Best wishes Tiger.
 
The hardest part is waiting. Stay strong and hope for the best.
 
Wish you the best and I hope you get your answers soon and it turns out to be nothing...

I think I have mentioned this before on this site, but I sometimes go to a barber that I believe is in his mid 70's... I'm not sure of his exact age, but after I knew him for a while he once told me that he had PC, in the past. (He doesn't talk about it much) It was discovered during some sort of unrelated medical exam. They performed surgery shortly after his diagnosis and that was 7 or 8 years ago now... The last time I talked to him about it, he told me that he still has checkups (annually I think) but so far nothing else like that has shown up.... He is still working several days a week because he likes his job and can do it... I'm sure there are plenty of stories like this.... I just happen to know this one.
 
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Wishing only the best for you, Tiger. And your wife may benefit from some short-term counseling during this uncertain time, where she can express her fears while you deal with what you need to do - do you have an EAP through work?
 
donheff said:
Good luck Tiger. If it is pancreatic cancer there is an upside. You may have benefitted from an inadvertent early detection like RBG did. In such cases prognosis can be good. In any event, try to relax until you get complete information. I was once told that a hip xray showed what was likely mediatized prostate cancer. It turned out to be the remains of earlier trauma.
Click to expand...

+1
From my medical school days, the biggest problem with pancreatic cancer is the location, and the lack of symptoms until it is too far along. If it is pancreatic cancer and treated early, prognosis isn't too bad. Wouldn't it be ironic if getting Covid-19 ended up saving your life?
 
It sounds to me that what you may have is an incidentally discovered cystic lesson of the pancreas. These must be managed as potentially serious lessons but have a very good prognosis compared with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Technical skills of the endoscopist (and surgeon if necessary), and expertise of the pathologists, radiologists, and oncologists all matter greatly in this area. Do your research diligently and select a tertiary center that manages a large number of pancreatic lesions.

Best wishes. I really believe based on what you have written that the odds are with you and you will be fine.
 
Tiger, this news is alarming but CT scans and MRI's show many things. I'm not sure you're interested in personal experiences. I've had 5 CT scans, and 2 MRI's, a bone scan and 6 cancer biopsies in my lifetime. Was DX with cancer twice. Separately, I was encouraged to remove my thyroid because of nodules. Nodules are quite common but I had a needle biopsy anyway. The cells they thought alarming could turn into cancer, but any cell can turn into cancer. I did not have my thyroid removed. This was @ 20 yrs. ago. I have no thyroid issues today.

I suggest second and third opinions before any serious action.

The MRI (many years ago) showed cancer had traveled to my liver, sternum and parts of my bone. None of this was the case. Imaging is only an image of what seems abnormal. One of the CT scans during the cancer DX showed spots on my lungs that raised alarm. Again, my lungs are fine. The many specialists I've seen in Chicago, Michigan, and Champaign deliver news of abnormalities that can be benign, but they have to tell you what they see.
 
If you are considering the surgery make sure it is a high volume Cancer center .Best of luck to you .
 
Hi Tiger,

Do you drive to work? Can you play podcasts or music that you like, prayers, meditation? (Anything to - provide a little distraction.) Waiting is so hard.

BTW, I had an undiagnosed virus - not the flu - in early March (with pneumonia, fever, cough, fatigue, etc. ) The doctor placed me on a course of TamiFlu (for not the flu) and antibiotics. The chest and fever cleared up, but new symptoms emerged.

Long story short, I was hospitalized for a week. A CT turned up a lesion on the sternum suspicious for metastasized breast cancer; and a nodule in the lung.

More tests ruled out the metastatic BC and with regard to the nodule in the lung, I recalled for a prior CT - and they were able to get the films and compare - and determine that it had not increased in size - so that went back to monitoring.

Will be thinking of you.
 
Thinking of you and hoping for calmness of mind and spirit as you chase this down. I've been in several !medical goose chases this year that have 100pct turned out to be big.fat.nothings. Incredibly frightening. And that's no fun. But keep your head up. If you have explored meditation or breathe work or prayer, now is a good time to bring them to the forefront or give them a try. My best to you. Sending you positive vibes.
 
As a breast cancer survivor, I understand this time is the hardest. The warning bells have been sounded but there are a lot of unknowns and other people are in control of getting the answers you seek. You will regain much of your equilibrium once answers are known and an action plan is developed. Best of luck to you.
 
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I am definitely pursuing 2nd opinion, and got information from PANCAN.ORG on high volume specialists which is where I go next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
 
Best wishes for good news soon, Tiger. Not knowing can sure be one of the hardest parts of these ordeals. I hope you and your family can find ways to take this moment by moment and not let the mental demons spin out of control. Those buggers sure never help matters.
 
Tiger--sending best wishes. I think that The waiting is the hardest part, once you know, you can plan next steps.
I know when my DH went through several bouts of pancreatitis, the tests, scopes, etc to rule out cancer were the hardest to wait for. Thankfully, everything was benign.
I pray that you get good news also.
Take care.
 
I got my leukemia diagnosis 13 1/2 years ago. I live near NYC, so it was a no-brainer for me to go to Sloan Kettering, and wow I am so glad I did. Find a renowned facility and doctor specializing in cancer (maybe Johns Hopkins?) and you'll feel better knowing you're with an expert. Cancer (if that is the diagnosis) treatments are changing dramatically for the better, and very quickly.
And as difficult as it may be, I strongly urge you to avoid researching the internet. That's what I did when first diagnosed, and I unwittingly came upon a considerable amount of outdated info, with the result of stressing me out unnecessarily. Best of luck to you.
 
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