The consultation with Dr. Salloum was… interesting.
To Say The Least.
It has been brought to my attention that,
while the science of medicine
is an established science,
The practice of medicine
is an individual philosophy.
The Friday before the appointment, I sent Dr. Salloum a complete set of all my records – everything I had. Including CD copies of the 2 PET/CT scans. And brought copies of more info I acquired in the few days since I sent the original packet to him.
According to Dr Salloum, he…:
#1. …would have treated me for a staph infection no more than 2 weeks before he did more tests, biopsy, etc. With my Family history, he would have much more proactive.
With my family history, I should have been more proactive, but I Trusted my Doctor to be knowledgeable and make appropriate suggestions / decisions regarding my treatment . He said it was a staph infection – I Believed Him.
#2. …believes that I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer. (reference Feb 25 2009 Breast Needle Core Biopsy Results which indicate “Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma”, page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5)
This is stunning (like a gun) news to consider, but many of the common symptoms are certainly more closely related to what I experienced. It just gets better and better…
#3. …is hopeful that the 4 vertebra tumors (supposedly indicated in PET/CT Scan #2) are a “false read” due to the large amount of Neulasta (the bone marrow stimulator) that is currently in my body. Dr. Salloum indicates that one Neulasta shot is good for up to 3 weeks (I had been told only 3 days); getting a shot every 2 weeks for 8 weeks would probably add up to a “large” amount.
While that would be a Great change of fortune and would certainly explain the increased back pain, I’m gonna stay realistic until I get test results that say otherwise. Bottom line – I have Breast Cancer, That will not change. However… one can certainly Hope for a better result for the metatastic bone cancer diagnosis!
#4. …strongly suggests that I continue to follow the traditional treatment / recovery of chemo – surgery – radiation; he recommends a smaller dose of chemo, administered every week for 12 weeks, vs a larger dose administered every other week for 8 weeks.
If I continue on the chemo path of treatment / recovery, this is definitely something I’d look into.
And That is the new information that I got to put into my pot and stir… Here’s a copy of his “doodling notes”…
Tags: Dr Salloum
Dear Denise,
Sounds like Dr. Salloum is on-the-ball – my MRI showed something in my spine in January, but the second doctor thought it might just be a residual effect of the steriods and/or the surgery. Isn’t it amazing when the doctor actually analyzes the case history? SO – IMHO – I think you just have breast cancer, it will be cured and someday this will all be a bad memory. I am praying that that is exactly what will happen.
Love and more Love,
Katherine
Katherine,
Yah, I Wish my first Dr had been as “on the ball”, then I would (Probably) not be in this awful situation…
Love and More Backtoya!
denise
Surviving…
I am hoping with all my might, praying with all my heart, AND I have my fingers and toes crossed that you will get fantastic news….that the cancer is NOT in the vertebra….see I’m doing all the wishing, hoping and praying and finger crossing you are too cautious to do right now…..
Love ya my dear friend!
Christy
Thanks, Christy – I Sure Hope So Too! But realistically, the first PE CT Scan showed abnormalities of question, and that was before any Neulasta.
denise
Surviving…
Hola Chicka, looking forward to having you at Chez Miller sometime soon, your queen suite is ready. We are praying for you lots and lots. You are always on my mind. So many of the “Austin Gals” ask about you, they all remember the Mehndi Party, what a blast!!! I wanted to come down for your spagetti dinner, but I have something going on this weekend. Trying to get down to Houston soon, maybe the following week. Let’s have a margarita…
All our love,
Mare, Jim, Freaky Frazier, Baylee and Emme the Psycho Kitty
Backatcha Chickie! After this is all over, I will Need some Austin Time! Between Cancer and Clifford, this past year was Not At All what I had planned for. Sometimes you’re the bug and sometimes you’re the windshield – I’ve had Enough windshield time!
Your Prayers Mean So Much To Me!!
Love to All of Y’all xoxo
denise
Surviving…
[...] My 3rd opinion, from Dr. Emile Salloum (of Christus Spohn Cancer Center in Corpus Christi, Texas) was hopeful that these “suspect areas” were a false positive due to a combination of arthritis and Neulasta. Now THIS would be the “most preferred” outcome – Of Course! And I Am Hopeful! However, I Also have to keep a touch of reality and remember that I was mistreated for 8 months, and that is a long time to be walking the wrong path… [...]