Thank God for directing our path in the past few days!
After 3 days of seeking for 2nd opinions, we have decided to
change surgeon for Sam's surgery in another restructured hospital.
Somehow, this change is very clear. He was recommended by a cellgroup
mate(cancer survivor treated by new surgeon before) on Friday evening
who also helped us book an appointment with him on Monday morning.
Saturday Evening, another sister sms us about seeking him out after
consulting an expert. Today, our KKH oncologist confirmed the selection,
also citing him as her 1st choice from a list of 3.
This surgeon opined that we should take the 2nd option that is to do a
surgical removal of the tumour with a maximised safe margin. This removal
will include a big chunk of muscles, peroneal nerve and part of fibula in the 'tumour' zone based on 1st MRI. He explained that some 'chemo-resistant'
cancer cells may still be existing which will not appear visibly in the
MRI scans.
Unfortunately, till now there is no sure way to ascertain their presence, and
research has indicated a high chance of recurrence. The survival rate
for recurrence will be low as he hightlighted that very high dosage of chemo
will be needed for treatment which sometimes can be fatally dangerous eg
some patients died from internal organ failure. To explain things simply,
he used the analogy of saving a house on fire and not saving any specific furnishing 1st.
We have decided to proceed with option 2 engaging this surgeon as he could
explain most questions, and there is this calm disposition about him. After checking Sam's latest bloodcount report, with the view to improve the counts
to minimise the risk of infection, he scheduled the surgery to be on 1st Dec 8 am.
Prayer requests:
Please pray for smooth and successful operation (estimated 3 hr). Against
all possible complications:
- bleeding;
- infection;
- neurovascular deficit to other nearby blood vessels and nerves;
- neurological deficits due to nerve;
- deep vein thrombosis;
- incomplete resection
Please peace and comfort for all of us, to gear up both physically,mentally for
this major operation.
Today, I met the father of the 8 year old girl who I shared some time back.
She had a huge tumour on her cheek which did not response to chemotherapy
at all.
A very terrible prognosis was given initally - all part of her lower jaw bone will have to be removed. Perhaps, her right eye might have to go as it was
suspected that the tumour may have expanded up there too. Complex reconstruction from her own leg bone was needed to replace the cheek
bone.
Her father shared that he surrendered all to GOD pleading for HIS mercy to
save her life. They proceeded with the surgery expecting the worst but somehow
with full assurance that GOD will take care of everything. After the 12 hour surgery, the surgeon revealed he had only removed the tumour and some soft issues.
Father praised GOD and thank HIM for providing them with the one of the best tumour surgeon in town and apparently the only one who could decide on the spot as to what is most suitable. He was told now, the surgeon does reseach only.
PTl!
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