Weirdest thing I’ve had to write about myself…but it seems that I have some form of liver cancer. Exactly what is still to be determined.
To date I’ve had a CT Scan of Abdomen (for bladder issues – unrelated) which showed a lesion in my liver. Then fast forward to 2 MRI’s (6/21 & 6/29/26) of my liver – each one showing more than the last. Finally, a ton of bloodwork that leads the hepatologist to tell me on 7/13 that this without a doubt is some cancerous-like matter in my liver.
Easy explanation is that I have a ‘2.5 x 2.5 cm Isointense Arterially Hypervascular Lesion’ in my liver. It shouldn’t be there and it’s not just ‘fatty liver spots’. It’s a growth; tumor; whatever the F and in her opinion is serious.
So I’ve had multiple blood work done – still waiting on all results for those – but they were coded with urgency. I see a Liver Oncology Surgeon on the 21st of July. Then next big step after that is that I am scheduled for a MR Elastography on July 30th @ 6 am. There is only 1 machine in the hospitals network (thank goodness in nearby Skokie) and I’m on a wait list to be seen sooner – but at least it’s scheduled.
My Hepatologist will then confer with a team of 3 additional specialists – I will have 4 total on my team – my doc; an Intravascular Radiologist; Liver Surgeon and GI Oncologist. She has already started my clinical consult case.
Once ALL the results from blood and another new CT from 7/20 is received, they will review my case and make any additional test/plans known. After the MR Elastography is completed – they then can decide on next steps. The fact that the lesion is vascular is what my doc is most concerned about. There are so many IF THEN statements that I can’t answer them now. Radiology; Chemo and Surgery are all on the table – but it is too soon to make any decisions.
At this point – this is all I know. All the experts know.
As my friend Tom Petty said – the waiting is the hardest part.
If you can, please say a prayer (or 2) and send me some positive vibes through the universe.
I’m about as scared as I’ve ever been and realize that I have to take this hour by hour, then one day at a time.
Also, Tim knows how much I weigh now. That’s embarrassing. I mean he sees me everyday – but to see the number? YIKES. Good news – I already have a million wigs – so I shan’t need to spend any money on that. Too soon? I don’t know but I do know I have to laugh.