Diagnosis and Decisions
Once I got home after the biopsy, I basically vegged out for two or three days. I had to put a cold compress on my eye four times a day, but that was about it for treatment.
(Digression: I went to Blockbuster to rent the entire extended play editions of The Lord of the Rings. They were missing the first one, so I settled on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. I fell asleep during both of them. Twice for each.)
The results of the biopsy came in the next week: dacryolimus adenitis (AKA dacryoadenitis) mixed with idiopathic orbital inflammation, both of which probably due to an autoimmune problem. Somewhere around this point, Dr. Della Rocca noted that I did not have lymphoma, which I had not even known was in the running as a diagnosis. So, this was good news.
But it is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. In other words, my own body is attacking itself. How lame is that? The system in my body that is supposed to repel boarders and keep outside disease-causing agents at bay is attacking me on its own. Biological treason!! Unfortunately, I cannot fire my immune system and hire a new one.
The usual treatment for this is prednisone, which I was already on at the whopping dose of 60 mg a day. Prednisone was not only causing enough side effects to drive me crazy (OK, drive me crazier), it was losing its effectiveness. Not to mention the fact that it is really bad news to be on prednisone for long periods of time.
Dr. Della Rocca strongly suggested that I undergo radiation therapy to tamp down this immune response. The radiation would cause the condition to go into remission, I would get off the prednisone and, yes, everyone will be happy.
It says something about prednisone and its side effects that radiation seems like a great idea in comparison.
Dr. Della Rocca said he would consult with Dr. Farquhar and find a convenient radiation oncologist who was familiar with treating the eye. Said physician would have to be in my health plan, I noted. I was expecting to have to schlep down to Manhattan for umpteen days in a row, almost certain that one would not be any closer. This would have meant a 1.5 hour drive, 20 minutes of prep time, 15 minutes of treatment, and another 1.5 hour drive or about four hours out of each day. Ick.
Dr. Farquhar came across with some good news. He highly recommended that I see Dr. Kyung Han in Mahopac, who fits all the requirements: she is convenient, knowledgeable about treating the eye, and in my health plan. Hallalujah!
It turns out that Dr. Han is also very nice and a warm human being to boot. I met her on Nov. 11.
I was most concerned about the side effects of the radiation, namely hair loss. I have only two good body features and one of them is my hair. I had put off getting a haircut because, why spend money on hair that was going to fall out? Dr. Han assured me that I would not lose my hair. She said the most serious side effect would be a risk of developing a cataract in that eye. I pointed out to her that that was a side effect of prednisone, so it didn’t make too much difference. She said I would develop a sun-burn like reaction on my skin around the eye. Big deal.
(I have very little vanity. Maybe I should go out and buy some?)
Dr. Han explained that she would have a planning session with me and then send me directly to Hudson Valley Hospital for a CT scan. Then she would decide whether to treat me in 10 sessions or 15 sessions. It would be the same total amount of radiation either way. Ten sessions would have a higher incidence of side effects, but a lower risk of a relapse, while 15 sessions would have a lower incidence of side effects, but a higher risk of relapse.
She really impressed me when she gave me a big hug as I left. Nice lady.
(Digression: I went to Blockbuster to rent the entire extended play editions of The Lord of the Rings. They were missing the first one, so I settled on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. I fell asleep during both of them. Twice for each.)
The results of the biopsy came in the next week: dacryolimus adenitis (AKA dacryoadenitis) mixed with idiopathic orbital inflammation, both of which probably due to an autoimmune problem. Somewhere around this point, Dr. Della Rocca noted that I did not have lymphoma, which I had not even known was in the running as a diagnosis. So, this was good news.
But it is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. In other words, my own body is attacking itself. How lame is that? The system in my body that is supposed to repel boarders and keep outside disease-causing agents at bay is attacking me on its own. Biological treason!! Unfortunately, I cannot fire my immune system and hire a new one.
The usual treatment for this is prednisone, which I was already on at the whopping dose of 60 mg a day. Prednisone was not only causing enough side effects to drive me crazy (OK, drive me crazier), it was losing its effectiveness. Not to mention the fact that it is really bad news to be on prednisone for long periods of time.
Dr. Della Rocca strongly suggested that I undergo radiation therapy to tamp down this immune response. The radiation would cause the condition to go into remission, I would get off the prednisone and, yes, everyone will be happy.
It says something about prednisone and its side effects that radiation seems like a great idea in comparison.
Dr. Della Rocca said he would consult with Dr. Farquhar and find a convenient radiation oncologist who was familiar with treating the eye. Said physician would have to be in my health plan, I noted. I was expecting to have to schlep down to Manhattan for umpteen days in a row, almost certain that one would not be any closer. This would have meant a 1.5 hour drive, 20 minutes of prep time, 15 minutes of treatment, and another 1.5 hour drive or about four hours out of each day. Ick.
Dr. Farquhar came across with some good news. He highly recommended that I see Dr. Kyung Han in Mahopac, who fits all the requirements: she is convenient, knowledgeable about treating the eye, and in my health plan. Hallalujah!
It turns out that Dr. Han is also very nice and a warm human being to boot. I met her on Nov. 11.
I was most concerned about the side effects of the radiation, namely hair loss. I have only two good body features and one of them is my hair. I had put off getting a haircut because, why spend money on hair that was going to fall out? Dr. Han assured me that I would not lose my hair. She said the most serious side effect would be a risk of developing a cataract in that eye. I pointed out to her that that was a side effect of prednisone, so it didn’t make too much difference. She said I would develop a sun-burn like reaction on my skin around the eye. Big deal.
(I have very little vanity. Maybe I should go out and buy some?)
Dr. Han explained that she would have a planning session with me and then send me directly to Hudson Valley Hospital for a CT scan. Then she would decide whether to treat me in 10 sessions or 15 sessions. It would be the same total amount of radiation either way. Ten sessions would have a higher incidence of side effects, but a lower risk of a relapse, while 15 sessions would have a lower incidence of side effects, but a higher risk of relapse.
She really impressed me when she gave me a big hug as I left. Nice lady.
posted by Valerie DeBenedette at 11:24 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home