Journal entry by Laramie Beck —
Hey everyone! I’ve been using Facebook for updates lately but I know that doesn’t reach everyone and I wanted to provide one here as well.
I've always had a couple of spots on my right lung but they never really grew or changed. Since my amputation, one of them has been very slowly getting bigger but from my scan in December to my last one in March it just about doubled in size and became more concerning. Mind you, it still was only the size of a pea, but they decided it is time to just take it out. My oncologist in Minneapolis said that it doesn't have the classic appearance of being a malignant tumor but if they did a biopsy and it came back that it wasn't, they would still not believe it and want to take it out so we're just skipping that step.
The surgery itself is pretty straight forward. It is on the edge of my lung so they are doing what's called a VATS wedge resection. Basically, they will just make a few small cuts and use video, like a scope, to take out a wedge that includes the spot and a little tissue around it so get good margins. This shouldn't decrease my lung capacity or function being able to do it this way. With everything going on right now with COVID it does change things during and after surgery. For starters, I am not allowed anyone with me during my pre-op appointments on Wednesday and Laramie is not allowed to even come into the hospital during or after surgery. She has to drop me off at the front door and pick me up when I'm discharged. On top of that, they are going to attempt to do this as a same-day surgery and discharge me that afternoon if at all possible rather than the normal few days I'd spend in. I would just recover at home in that case.
There are a lot of unknowns right now as Laramie will have to be self-quarantined from work due to their policy for at least 1 week if not 2 after we come home so at least I'll have my own nurse for my recovery! We would appreciate your prayers that surgery goes well, recovery is uneventful, and we are all able to stay healthy and avoid any infections!
I've always had a couple of spots on my right lung but they never really grew or changed. Since my amputation, one of them has been very slowly getting bigger but from my scan in December to my last one in March it just about doubled in size and became more concerning. Mind you, it still was only the size of a pea, but they decided it is time to just take it out. My oncologist in Minneapolis said that it doesn't have the classic appearance of being a malignant tumor but if they did a biopsy and it came back that it wasn't, they would still not believe it and want to take it out so we're just skipping that step.
The surgery itself is pretty straight forward. It is on the edge of my lung so they are doing what's called a VATS wedge resection. Basically, they will just make a few small cuts and use video, like a scope, to take out a wedge that includes the spot and a little tissue around it so get good margins. This shouldn't decrease my lung capacity or function being able to do it this way. With everything going on right now with COVID it does change things during and after surgery. For starters, I am not allowed anyone with me during my pre-op appointments on Wednesday and Laramie is not allowed to even come into the hospital during or after surgery. She has to drop me off at the front door and pick me up when I'm discharged. On top of that, they are going to attempt to do this as a same-day surgery and discharge me that afternoon if at all possible rather than the normal few days I'd spend in. I would just recover at home in that case.
There are a lot of unknowns right now as Laramie will have to be self-quarantined from work due to their policy for at least 1 week if not 2 after we come home so at least I'll have my own nurse for my recovery! We would appreciate your prayers that surgery goes well, recovery is uneventful, and we are all able to stay healthy and avoid any infections!
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Matthew Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Matthew's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
