SHOCM » Bek

One step forward, two steps back

Bek — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:22:26 +0000

Or is it, two steps forward, one step back. Progress is being made but we’ve had some setbacks. Eric was admitted to Scripps Green last night with fever and chills. They know he must have an infection somewhere but at this point, they don’t know where. They’ve run labs and did a CT scan and ultrasound. He’ll be there until tomorrow at least. I’ll keep everyone updated as much as I can. Bek

We're not out of the woods yet

Bek — Fri, 08 Jul 2005 05:56:23 +0000

Well, more news. It looks like the surgeon was mistaken in his optimism. The pathology report today indicates that Eric indeed has cancer, yolk sac tumor to be specific. They are sending additional specimens to a national lab but that’s the diagnosis so far. Of course, I’ve spent too much time on the internet trying to find answers but it’s all relative.

Here’s one website: http://lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/oncology/gct.html

endodermal sinus tumor or yolk sac tumors
Endodermal sinus tumor or yolk sac tumors are germ cell tumors that are most often malignant, but may also be benign. These tumors are most commonly found in the ovary, testes, and sacrococcygeal areas (tail bone, or distal end of spinal column). When found in the ovaries and testes, they are often very aggressive, malignant, and can spread rapidly through the lymphatic system and other organs in the body. Yolk sac tumors are the most common malignant testicular and ovarian tumors in children. Most yolk sac tumors will require surgery and chemotherapy, regardless of stage or presence of metastasis, because of the aggressive nature and recurrence of the disease

At this point, Eric will be discharged tomorrow and is scheduled to see the Oncologist Thursday, July 14. The surgeon says chemotherapy may be recommended but again, it’s all a waiting game at this point. Wish I had better news to report. Who knows, maybe they’ll be wrong again. It wouldn’t be the first time during the last month of doctor’s appointments and tests.

Keep saying those prayers! We do appreciate all of you.

Break out the Champagne!!

Bek — Sun, 03 Jul 2005 06:00:13 +0000

Well, I can finally update the website myself. Eric was coherent enough to harass today about the computer and we have internet connection again! Tom and Terry were kind enough to update the web and email so that you weren’t left in the dark too long.
So, here’s the latest. They moved him to a med/surg room this afternoon and he’s up walking around a little. It’s going to be a long summer but his doctor is optimistic that the worst is over. The tumor is out and Eric’s vein started filling up immediately; no damage was done to it while the tumor was pressing up against it all this time. From all appearances it is in fact NOT cancer but an even rarer anomaly, a teratoma.

Mediastinal teratoma

Mature teratomas of the mediastinum are benign lesions. They do not have the metastatic potential observed in testicular teratoma and are cured by surgical resection alone. Because of their anatomic location, intraoperative and postoperative complications are the only significant source of morbidity, as other intrathoracic structures often are intimately involved with the tumor.

Sex: Sacrococcygeal teratomas are much more common in females than in males, occurring in a female-to-male ratio of approximately 3-4:1. Most sources report no sex predilection for mediastinal teratomas. Others document a marked male or marked female predominance. Excluding testicular teratomas, 75-80% of teratomas occur in girls.

Also, to paraphase another oncologist, they can be comprised of all sorts of cells, such as hair, teeth, skin, intestines. He said it’s not surprising to actually find teeth, hair, intestines within the tumor!?! (anyone familiar with My Big Fat Greek Wedding will appreciate this). Leave it to Eric to be as unique as possible!!! Of course, we won’t have the official word until Tuesday/Wednesday next week but I plan on riding this wave as long as I can

Thank you, thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers and especially all of your help. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.

Bek, Eric, Emme and Ally

PS: Anyone looking to visit should probably call first but he may be up to it as soon as tomorrow afternoon. He’s in room 413 (4-West) at Scripps Green in La Jolla. Their main number is 858-554-9100. We still don’t know for sure when he’ll be home but it’ll probably be sometime between Wednesday and Friday.