First let me thank you for your prayers and let you know they have been answered. The Pet scan has confirmed that there is no cancer present in my body. Furthermore the PET scan confirms that the mass is not a tumor but a cyst. Likely a duplication cyst. The final decision bringing this saga to a conclusion is that we are not going to do surgery. We will do a CT Scan in 6 months to monitor the cyst for growth and if all is well then again a year later. As long as the cyst doesn't grow or cause any other issues it is fine to stay put.
Below is more detail for those looking for more info. For the rest let me say thank you for your love and prayers. I have been moved by the numbers that have reached out in some way and the great number of people that are praying that I don't even know. Everyone has been a blessing to me and Sue and we can't express our gratitude enough. God has bless us in so many ways.
Now for more details for those like me that have many questions. For those that don't know, a PET scan shows more than just the presence of cancer. The way the test is done is that radioactive or nuclear sugar is injected into the body. They wait an hour for the sugar to circulate and then they run the scan. They are looking for areas that absorb sugar like your organs that absorb sugar to grow. Tumors also absorb sugar. Cyst evidently do not.
In my test they got a better look at the mass based on the dissection that this scan provided and it also showed no absorption of sugar meaning it doesn't have the capacity to grow. Because it isn't causing any issues with swallowing or breathing, it likely never will. Meaning it can just stay there without concern.
The surgeon is also very familiar with the catheter ablation that was scheduled earlier in the month. He is very confident that we can go back and have that procedure done with no concern about the mass. More good news. I will now look to reschedule that. It will be sometime after the first of the year.
Again, thanks to all that have stayed close to this. You are truly wonderful and we love you all very much.
We wish each of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! As big a gift as this news is let us not forget the biggest gift of all. That being salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Potential Change of Plans
Just a quick update. The doctor reviewed the CT Scan and Barium Swallow again today preparing for a consult tomorrow. After further review he is considering not removing the mass. It isn't causing me any health issues. It is possible that surgery could create a greater risk than the mass. He has scheduled a PET Scan for 7 AM tomorrow/Tuesday. I then have a consult with the doctor at 10:30. The PET scan is like a CT Scan but it is looking for the presence of cancer cells. He will have a chance to review the PET scan prior to the consult.
If the PET scan is clean it will likely be his recommendation that we hold off on surgery at this time and monitor the mass. Since we now know it is there we can do testing over time and watch it. If it were to grow or ever give me any issues with the esophagus or the trachea we can always remove it at a later time.
No final decision until we meet with the doctor tomorrow. I will update again in the afternoon tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers.
Merry Christmas.
If the PET scan is clean it will likely be his recommendation that we hold off on surgery at this time and monitor the mass. Since we now know it is there we can do testing over time and watch it. If it were to grow or ever give me any issues with the esophagus or the trachea we can always remove it at a later time.
No final decision until we meet with the doctor tomorrow. I will update again in the afternoon tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers.
Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Peace is a wonderful gift!
I woke up this morning with such a great feeling of Peace. Peace is a wonderful gift from our God. After speaking with the doctor last night and praying on this I have the greatest Peace with the entire situation.
Sue and I have had great confidence all along that this is nothing of major concern. Today my confidence is at its highest. The fact that I am in good health with no unexplained weight loss has all along been a positive indication. But the fact that the mass is free and not attached is a huge positive sign. If the mass were something bad it would be looking to attack something by attaching to it. It hasn't so it very likely isn't something bad. The Doctor is very confident that this is just a benign mass for all of these reasons and he has seen his share of both a good and bad.
The other great thing is that this is a one and done procedure. When there wasn't clarity if this was to do a biopsy or removal that meant the possibility of another surgery. With this procedure's objective being removal and the likelihood that it is benign that means one surgery, recovery and get on with life. What a blessing that will be.
I just wanted to share with you how great I feel physically, emothionally and spiritually. Peace is a wonderful gift from our wonderful God.
Thanks for your prayers, comments, emails, calls. We love you all.
Sue and I have had great confidence all along that this is nothing of major concern. Today my confidence is at its highest. The fact that I am in good health with no unexplained weight loss has all along been a positive indication. But the fact that the mass is free and not attached is a huge positive sign. If the mass were something bad it would be looking to attack something by attaching to it. It hasn't so it very likely isn't something bad. The Doctor is very confident that this is just a benign mass for all of these reasons and he has seen his share of both a good and bad.
The other great thing is that this is a one and done procedure. When there wasn't clarity if this was to do a biopsy or removal that meant the possibility of another surgery. With this procedure's objective being removal and the likelihood that it is benign that means one surgery, recovery and get on with life. What a blessing that will be.
I just wanted to share with you how great I feel physically, emothionally and spiritually. Peace is a wonderful gift from our wonderful God.
Thanks for your prayers, comments, emails, calls. We love you all.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday Update
I spoke with Dr. Magee this evening. He has reviewed the different tests that have already been done and viewed the mass. He is recommending that we remove the mass primarily because of the location. Because of the proximity to the esophagus, the trachea, the heart and the aorta he said it just doesn't need to be there.
He said that these types of masses were not uncommon. He has seen 7 in the last month. The vast majority were benign. The positive signs for me are again no unexplained weight loss, no other health issues and the fact that it does not appear to be attached to anything. A cancerous tumor is looking for something to attach to. Once removed they will have a pathologist review it immediately to get an idea if there is anything to be concerned about. Usually this test can give you an answer with 90% certainty.
The procedure to remove it should take about 2 hours. It should require a 1 to 2 day hospital stay.
Dr. Magee is looking at his schedule now to see when it can be done. There is no urgency because again all signs are positive. I am however ready to get this done and move on so I have asked to see how soon he can schedule me for the surgery. I should hear something on Friday as to schedule. I would expect this to happen sometime in the next two weeks.
Thank you again to all that are staying close to this. Please continue to view the blog at www.jerryellisfamily.blogspot.com. I am enjoying reading every one's comments. They are very nice and inspirational.
I will update you when this gets scheduled.
He said that these types of masses were not uncommon. He has seen 7 in the last month. The vast majority were benign. The positive signs for me are again no unexplained weight loss, no other health issues and the fact that it does not appear to be attached to anything. A cancerous tumor is looking for something to attach to. Once removed they will have a pathologist review it immediately to get an idea if there is anything to be concerned about. Usually this test can give you an answer with 90% certainty.
The procedure to remove it should take about 2 hours. It should require a 1 to 2 day hospital stay.
Dr. Magee is looking at his schedule now to see when it can be done. There is no urgency because again all signs are positive. I am however ready to get this done and move on so I have asked to see how soon he can schedule me for the surgery. I should hear something on Friday as to schedule. I would expect this to happen sometime in the next two weeks.
Thank you again to all that are staying close to this. Please continue to view the blog at www.jerryellisfamily.blogspot.com. I am enjoying reading every one's comments. They are very nice and inspirational.
I will update you when this gets scheduled.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Next Step
I spoke with Dr. Anderson the GI doctor this afternoon. He had reviewed my test results from this morning and discussed them with my heart doctor and thoracic surgeon, Dr. Ryan. They have identified that the next step should be a Thoroscopy and they have identified the recommended doctor for this, Dr. Magee. Dr. Magee is also a thoracic surgeon.
What they found in the test today is that the mass is not really attached or associated with the esophagus. It is either attached or near the trachea. Because they are all so close together this mass is showing near both. There are a couple of other less evasive discovery tests they could do but they would lead to a Thoroscopy regardless of what they found so it is best to just do the Thoroscopy.
I have not spoken with Dr. Magee at this point. He had a surgery to preform this afternoon. I expect to talk with him sometime on Wednesday. Nothing will be scheduled until I talk with him. I was told that this is not an emergency situation. We don't need to do it tomorrow but shouldn't put it off for months either. Sue and I would both like to get to the bottom of this so we will plan to move as quickly as Dr. Magee can.
Now if you google Thoroscopy you will be able to read about the procedure. You will read discussions related to lung cancer. That is because the procedure is the same regardless of what they find but nobody rights about anything that is benign. All signs still point to a benign mass. If I had a malignant mass I should be sick and I am not. I feel great and am fat as ever. Both are very good signs.
Thank you again for all the touches. Prayers, emails, calls etc. We are getting more answers and closer to the answer all the time. And all signs still point to this not being a big deal.
What they found in the test today is that the mass is not really attached or associated with the esophagus. It is either attached or near the trachea. Because they are all so close together this mass is showing near both. There are a couple of other less evasive discovery tests they could do but they would lead to a Thoroscopy regardless of what they found so it is best to just do the Thoroscopy.
I have not spoken with Dr. Magee at this point. He had a surgery to preform this afternoon. I expect to talk with him sometime on Wednesday. Nothing will be scheduled until I talk with him. I was told that this is not an emergency situation. We don't need to do it tomorrow but shouldn't put it off for months either. Sue and I would both like to get to the bottom of this so we will plan to move as quickly as Dr. Magee can.
Now if you google Thoroscopy you will be able to read about the procedure. You will read discussions related to lung cancer. That is because the procedure is the same regardless of what they find but nobody rights about anything that is benign. All signs still point to a benign mass. If I had a malignant mass I should be sick and I am not. I feel great and am fat as ever. Both are very good signs.
Thank you again for all the touches. Prayers, emails, calls etc. We are getting more answers and closer to the answer all the time. And all signs still point to this not being a big deal.
Tuesday Morning Update
I had the barium swallow done this morning. I have been able to get a copy of the radiology report. It sounds pretty promising. There is clearly something there that is pushing against the esophagus and the trachea slightly. It isn't blocking anything from getting through just pushing the esophagus to the side. It is smooth. The radiologist suggested that it is probably a benign cyst. Smooth is supposed to be good.
My GI doctor was not able to review the test yet. He has procedures scheduled this morning and office appts this afternoon. I am hopeful to hear from him later this evening but it may be morning.
The next step will be a further test. I could be that they do the endoscopic sonogram. But it GI nurse after a brief visit with the doctor said they may suggest viewing this through the trachea.
More information pointing to more positive signs. Now we wait for next steps.
Thanks for keeping up with this and thanks for all the prayers.
My GI doctor was not able to review the test yet. He has procedures scheduled this morning and office appts this afternoon. I am hopeful to hear from him later this evening but it may be morning.
The next step will be a further test. I could be that they do the endoscopic sonogram. But it GI nurse after a brief visit with the doctor said they may suggest viewing this through the trachea.
More information pointing to more positive signs. Now we wait for next steps.
Thanks for keeping up with this and thanks for all the prayers.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday Update
Today was a slow moving day as I guess we should have expected. I felt like waiting over the weekend was enough. I was ready to kick it into gear at the opening of the office and get some things scheduled. Others do not think the same. Finally this afternoon I got connected with a GI Surgeon, Dr. Paul Anderson with Dallas Diagnostic Assoc. I haven't talked with him directly. He spoke with my heart doctor and he reviewed the CT Scan. He has scheduled a Barium Swallow for tomorrow morning. He would also like to schedule an Endoscopy. Right now the earliest for that is next Monday but they are working on that schedule.
While trying to stir things up today I spoke with Brittney's Pediatric GI doctor looking for an additional recommendation. He did call me back but after I already had the test scheduled and Dr. Anderson was on the case. He was great to visit with me and discuss the CT Scan. He agreed with the course of action planned. Without saying don't be concerned he did say that if this mass was a worst case scenario that I should be pretty sick. He went on to say that it could simply be a duplication. I of course had to ask what the heck that was. He said that a duplication is something that forms when you are formed in the womb. It is extra. Not good or bad, just there. You would never know unless a test like this was done for another reason. He also added that duplications in the area of the esophagus are not uncommon and maybe even common.
The other thing that happened today was that Sue and I were touch by God's presence in our family and friends. I received so many calls and emails. So many prayers. I got some great scriptures and poems and thoughts. You are all awesome and it all means so much to Sue and I.
I know you are all worried about Sue but she is a rock. Her faith is so strong. She is an inspiration. I am so proud of her.
I thought this morning that some may look at this as something that would test your faith. Really it is a time to show your faith in God. If you worry it is a sign of a lack of faith. God is holding us in his hands we don't need to worry. We just need to do what we can do and leave the rest to him. Praise and Glory to God that we can have such peace in this uncertain situation.
Keep up with the blog, email or call. It is great to catch up with those of you that I have talked with in a while. And please keep praying. We can feel it in our hearts.
While trying to stir things up today I spoke with Brittney's Pediatric GI doctor looking for an additional recommendation. He did call me back but after I already had the test scheduled and Dr. Anderson was on the case. He was great to visit with me and discuss the CT Scan. He agreed with the course of action planned. Without saying don't be concerned he did say that if this mass was a worst case scenario that I should be pretty sick. He went on to say that it could simply be a duplication. I of course had to ask what the heck that was. He said that a duplication is something that forms when you are formed in the womb. It is extra. Not good or bad, just there. You would never know unless a test like this was done for another reason. He also added that duplications in the area of the esophagus are not uncommon and maybe even common.
The other thing that happened today was that Sue and I were touch by God's presence in our family and friends. I received so many calls and emails. So many prayers. I got some great scriptures and poems and thoughts. You are all awesome and it all means so much to Sue and I.
I know you are all worried about Sue but she is a rock. Her faith is so strong. She is an inspiration. I am so proud of her.
I thought this morning that some may look at this as something that would test your faith. Really it is a time to show your faith in God. If you worry it is a sign of a lack of faith. God is holding us in his hands we don't need to worry. We just need to do what we can do and leave the rest to him. Praise and Glory to God that we can have such peace in this uncertain situation.
Keep up with the blog, email or call. It is great to catch up with those of you that I have talked with in a while. And please keep praying. We can feel it in our hearts.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Unexpected News
For those that were not aware I was scheduled for a Radio frequency Catheter Ablation on Friday Dec 12Th. This procedure was intended to stop my Atrial Fibrillation. This is something that I have been dealing with for over 10 years but only required regular daily medication for the last few years. In preparation for this procedure a CT Scan with a dye was ordered and preformed last Wed.
When the Radiologist read the CT scan on Friday morning she found a mass near my esophagus. She called the doctor preparing for the Ablation and told him. He immediately cancelled my procedure. They woke me up and called Sue.
Right now what we know is that I have a mass that is 4 cm x 2.6 cm. It is near the esophagus. It is not clear if it is attached to the esophagus or not. It does not appear to be a cyst but they can't be sure.
My EP doctor that was to do the procedure on Friday has discussed my case with a Thoracic Surgeon and he recommended that we get a GI Surgeon involved. They have identified a GI Surgeon and will discuss my case with them tomorrow.
A dear friend of mine also recommended a surgeon she dealt with and also reached out to him directly. I am to connect with him tomorrow.
The likely next step will be a Barium Swallow or upper GI. They will also possibly do a PET Scan or MRI to learn more about the mass.
Once these test are completed and we know what we are dealing with the doctors will recommend a course of action. I will keep this blog updated daily.
Right now we are all doing really well. We thank God that the Ablation called for a CT scan with dye or we wouldn't even know this was going on. We also thank God for all the doctors that are and will be involved and their expertise. Lastly we thank God for each of you that are reading this site and saying a prayer for us. We need your prayers that this mass is nothing of concern and that we can continue to have peace with all that is being done.
When the Radiologist read the CT scan on Friday morning she found a mass near my esophagus. She called the doctor preparing for the Ablation and told him. He immediately cancelled my procedure. They woke me up and called Sue.
Right now what we know is that I have a mass that is 4 cm x 2.6 cm. It is near the esophagus. It is not clear if it is attached to the esophagus or not. It does not appear to be a cyst but they can't be sure.
My EP doctor that was to do the procedure on Friday has discussed my case with a Thoracic Surgeon and he recommended that we get a GI Surgeon involved. They have identified a GI Surgeon and will discuss my case with them tomorrow.
A dear friend of mine also recommended a surgeon she dealt with and also reached out to him directly. I am to connect with him tomorrow.
The likely next step will be a Barium Swallow or upper GI. They will also possibly do a PET Scan or MRI to learn more about the mass.
Once these test are completed and we know what we are dealing with the doctors will recommend a course of action. I will keep this blog updated daily.
Right now we are all doing really well. We thank God that the Ablation called for a CT scan with dye or we wouldn't even know this was going on. We also thank God for all the doctors that are and will be involved and their expertise. Lastly we thank God for each of you that are reading this site and saying a prayer for us. We need your prayers that this mass is nothing of concern and that we can continue to have peace with all that is being done.
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