The Verdict about the Sinus Cavity Tumor

I can barely see out of that one eye now, so this will have to be very brief.

You may remember that I saw the doctor last week about the sinus cavity tumor. He sent me for CT scans of head, neck, and face, and I returned today, hoping to schedule surgery. Unfortunately, it isn't quite so simple. The tumor is quite large and is pressing against the bone in my forehead AND it has invaded my eye socket. I already knew it was putting pressure on my eye, and causing my vision problems. He cannot tell from the scans if the tumor is actually wrapped around anything or if it is just spreading out to fill the facial cavities. SO -- he doesn't want to do surgery until/unless the tumor can be shrunk via chemo or radiation or a combo of the two.

My choices? I could pursue another chemo trial, but that would be a very risky maneuver given the fact that the tumor is obviously growing and is already impinging on my eye. I could and very well might consider radiation, but I would have to know the possible side effects of facial radiation. Or, I can see another surgeon. I have the name of one at Vanderbilt, and I could send my records there for review. I have two weeks to decide, and then I return to the doctor on April 6th.

Speaking of Vanderbilt, we are headed out tomorrow morning for my followup appointment with Dr. Cheng and my yearly visit with Dr. Holt (hip/femur). We will be home Wednesday evening with Josiah, who is flying into Nashville tomorrow for a birthday visit. I can't wait to see him.

Please, if you need to communicate with me, try to call rather than using email. With my eyesight the way it is, I have a very difficult time reading the messages, and an even harder time typing a reply.

Thanks for the prayers and happy thoughts!

:-) Sharon