Several months ago, Holmes started playing tennis on a team. He started at a 3.0 level and was doing pretty well, the captain always picked him to go up against the guys on other teams who were probably 3.5s. He enjoyed it and it was a great complement to his running. From time to time, his left wrist would bother him a little, but nothing that slowed down his game or hurt to the point of any significant complaint. Then a few months later, he twinged it pretty good and began to notice the slight pain more often. Two weeks ago, playing basketball at the gym, a guy shoved up against him so that his left wrist bent completely backwards and it hurt enough to make him stop and get ice. Of course, we assume a sprain. He went to our GP, where he had an x-ray done and was sent home with giant aleve and a tiny brace.
The next day, we received a call from the GP about seeing an orthopedist. Apparently the radiologists suggested the visit. This appointment was scheduled for the following week (the 21st). At this visit, the orthopedist tells us there is something there. He doesn't know what...it could be a cyst or other random growth or it could be cancer, who knows, no reason to panic now, blah blah blah. He schedules an MRI of the wrist and a full body bone scan for the 27th. The full body bone scan is to ensure that there aren't any other white spots like the one in the wrist. The MRI is to get a better look at the growth.
The morning of the MRI and bone scan, I pull out the paperwork from the orthopedist that we are supposed to give to the nurses/techs for the MRI. It says something along the lines of suspected aggressive malignancy. Cue slight panic. The only reassurance that morning was that if it were possibly that, surely the orthopedist would have told us to our face...right?
Holmes was able to actually watch the screen during the bone scan and said there were no other white spots that he saw. Very reassuring. After three hours in the radiology clinic, we were put into wait mode. The move and zillion errands needing to be done around the house was a wonderful distraction as we waited for the results appointment.
That brings us to this morning. We met with the orthopedist again. I started taking notes during the appointment because it was so much information. The orthopedist suspects that it is a giant cell tumor on the end of the left ulna. Apparently it isn't a a black or white issue as far as benign or malignant. The doctor said it is probably benign with aggressive tendencies. The doctor wants to consult with a bone tumor specialist and get CT of the chest and MRI of the brain. There is low risk that it has spread since all other bones are clean, but these tests are just to be sure. Surgery to remove the end of the bone is next after the CTs. An ulnar prothesis will be put in, hopefully soon. After surgery, the bone tissue will be examined. The words cancer and terminal were never said by the doctor. The good news is the fact that it is the ulna and not the radius...and that it is his left wrist and not his right. The MRI of the brain and CT scan of the chest are scheduled for Friday morning. The orthopedist will be able to consult with the bone tumor specialist and the oncologist in the meantime. We may need to meet with the oncologist. We are schedule to see the orthopedist again on Tuesday morning to discuss MRI and CT results as well as any news or info from oncologist and bone tumor specialist. Apparently this is "fairly" common at this age and dr thinks we've caught it early. The paperwork says hemangiopericytoma. I googled this. The first site is about dogs. When I add "of the bone" to the search, there are very few results. There is a yahoo group I tried to subscribe too, not sure if that will end up being helpful or not. I chose not to read the handful of medical journal articles including the word. None of them seem to relate to the bone.
So that's where we are. I'm just not even sure what to think. I still feel that there are too many unanswered questions. Maybe the CT and MRI will have those answers. I'm glad its coming out, I think surgery could be scheduled as soon as next Friday.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Positives
it was caught early (?)
its not in his right arm
there aren't any other spots in his bones
he's not sick
the pain is limited
the prothesis does not have to be custom made
we like the doctors so far
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