While I have a moment, an update.

**Dreadbelly** · 21st March 07, 09:37 AM

Got back from the doctor today.

Six. Count them, SIX tumors. That they can see. With a distinct possibility of more due to shadowing in the ultrasound images. Some of them are exceptionally large. Drinking from the uterine artery and sapping my wife's vitality.

It was very bad news.

Time is now the enemy. This is why she has kept feeling worse for quite some time... She kept making jokes about getting old, but that wasn't the case. She has golf ball sized and fist sized tumors tapped in to major arteries. This is why she had the b12 issues, the fatigue, tired spells, numbness down in her legs and hips, this is the cause of all this trouble. And the doctor said we don't have time to wait for her to fully heal up completely from this last surgery. There is no time. Every day she spends with these in her she is going to get a bit weaker. They will grow larger, and the risk of removing them safely will grow as well.

Come May, there will be major surgery. The cut her guts open from side to side and maybe hip to sternum as well type of surgery. And they'll try to cut these little bastards off of her arteries. So much risk here. Hemmoraging, blood clots, they are going to have to keep her under for quite a bit of time, all kinds of risk with that. She doesn't fully understand all of the risks involved here. Cancer has not been ruled out as a possibility.

So, now is the time to have a spot of fun when we can, when she is able... Go for walks. (Ordered by the doctor)

The doctor made it very clear that because of their location, agressive growth, etc, that there were no promises of being able to remove all of them, every last little bit. If something gets left behind, it'll just regrow. And we might be back for surgery in less than another year.

The worst part... Medicare - medicaid may not cover the surgery. The last go round cost FORTY NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS. And medi-x may reject these new billing claims. If that happens, the hospital will not do the surgery and we will be crap out of luck.

**Ayin McFye** · 21st March 07, 09:40 AM

Best of luck with the wife. I will send good thoughts your way, and raise a pint to her tonight.

**BEEDEE** · 21st March 07, 10:29 AM

Dread - I'm not sure that words can convey my reaction to this post. Even though I do not know you and Mrs Dread rest assured that you are both in my thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome.

Stay strong for her.

Brian

**Chef** · 21st March 07, 10:32 AM

I'm so sorry to hear, you will both be in my prayers.

**Kilted KT** · 21st March 07, 10:35 AM

my thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend

**Arlen** · 21st March 07, 10:35 AM

Let me just say first that I'm so sorry you two have to worry about the cost of any of this.
I agree that this is the time to enjoy what you can. My prayers really are with you two.
I think we'll all be hoping for a good outcome with this one.

Take care