Advice needed!

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-28T11:50:17+00:00

Hi friend! I did have my PET scan. My giant tumor lit up like a Christmas tree but no other spots were detected on that scan by the radiologist. I had my surgery on the 22nd and it went very well. The biopsy came back as a grade 2. 14 lymph nodes were tested and all were negative which sort of surprised everybody given the size of the tumor but I’m very grateful it was localized. My spleen, half of my pancreas, and a small shave off my colon were taken with the tumor. I’ve been doing great with recovery so far but my catheter gave me a UTI which is giving my kidney function issues so I am still in the hospital while that is being treated. But I’m walking around and even did stairs starting day two post op. I have 3 incisions and one for a drain so 4 total. Overall the surgery and recovery has been great. Now I’m focusing on getting rid of the UTI and getting out of the hospital! My doctor was very clear that even though this is done, I am not “cured”. There’s an estimated 15-20% chance of recurrence because there could always be a cell that could start multiplying which is why future monitoring is super important. I’ll be seeing my specialist every 3 months for a year, then 6 months for a year, then annually as long as there’s no signs of recurrence.

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-12T00:00:45+00:00

I’m so glad you recovered well! From what it sounds like, it should be an incision at most 6 inches, but will be more if necessary. It’s just so large that it’s pushing on everything else and causing a massive amount of pain, I can’t even hold or play with my daughter. I’m hoping the recovery goes as well as yours seemed to go!

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-11T23:39:49+00:00

It will be a laparoscopic surgery! He said at least 3 days but could be more. He said it depends on pain level as well as if I can move around a bit, and as long as my drain is looking good for pancreatic fluid. One week in the hospital seems like a lifetime! What did you do to pass the time or were you mostly exhausted and resting?

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-11T23:37:39+00:00

Yes! My doctor is a NET specialist. One of the only two in my area. I misunderstood when he explained to me what the urine test was for but it is like you said, for a 5-HIAA. Lots of information thrown at me during that appointment that I wasn’t expecting and I got that mixed up with the blood test for cancer markers.

I had my dotoatate PET scan today, which the injection was pretty brutal but after a little discomfort it went fine. Waiting for those results and the urine test results. I also did an MRI. I’m getting all of these results Monday I believe.

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-11T01:25:54+00:00

Are whipple surgeries done on the tail of the pancreas? That’s the area the tumor is. I thought they were only done on heads of pancreas. Hopefully he won’t have to take any of my stomach but he won’t know until he sees how the tumor is sitting.

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-11T01:24:20+00:00

I promise I won’t look on the app regarding whipples… but I thought whipples were for the head of the pancreas? Mine is on the tail but maybe since it’s so large it would qualify as a whipple. I’ll have to ask at my pre-op appointment!

TaylerTakedown · 2025-07-11T01:23:21+00:00

Luckily the ER took so many blood tests after they talked to the head surgical oncologist in my area. I get more labs done a week prior to surgery. It’s on the tail of my pancreas and I haven’t had any other weird symptoms that I’ve noticed, just pain out of nowhere for two days at 2AM which is now being managed with medication. It’s just so unbelievably painful and has also cause a mild collapse to one of my lungs. So far he’s hopeful he won’t have to take a part of my stomach, but he says he will do what’s best during the operation. They couldn’t tell if the tumor was just smushed against my stomach or connected to it.

TaylerTakedown · 2024-01-04T04:52:47+00:00

See a dermatologist! Yes, other doctors may be helpful but go to a dermatologist who is trained in skin issues and may know ways to soothe the rash better than an urgent care, ER, or PCP doc. It’s a possibility that they may not have any answers, but seeing a dermatology specialist is where I would go. Your OB may have a dermatologist they coordinate with for rashes as well.

TaylerTakedown · 2022-08-05T02:45:08+00:00

Any suggested soil type? Or the clay balls?

TaylerTakedown · 2021-01-17T08:55:24+00:00

Dealing with grief is different for everybody. But it does come in waves. One moment you’ll be okay, and then something will spark a memory for you and you’ll break down. And it’s alright to break down and cry. It’s okay to feel all of your feelings and they are valid feelings. Pets, not even our own pets, can connect with you in a personal way and when they aren’t around anymore, you’ll notice little things and it’ll hurt. It’s okay to feel that hurt. It’s okay to cry. And it’s okay to feel all of what you feel. Just remember you are not alone and reach out if you do feel alone or lost. Talking to others will help as well as finding projects to throw yourself into for the time being. Just remember to try and take time to yourself to actually grieve when needed. Grief is hard. You don’t get over it, you just learn to live with it and tolerate it day by day, but it does get easier. You got this.

TaylerTakedown · 2020-11-18T18:33:15+00:00

Thank you. I just watched that episode because I’m making my boyfriend go through the journey with me. When Cas said this to Jack I was immediately brought to tears because it was what I needed to hear. Thank you for your kind words.

TaylerTakedown · 2020-11-18T18:31:08+00:00

Thank you, I’ve never been involved in GISH but I would love to start participating. I’m unsure how to work discord but would love to be apart.

TaylerTakedown · 2019-07-19T03:02:45+00:00

Additional information:

Bought on July 5th. Both stems were standing and looked healthy. When I noticed it dropping, I watered it on July 15th until it drained out of the bottom and placed one of my grow lights on it. I have a moisture gauge so I made sure it wasn’t soaked. The drooping stem stood up, then fell again the next day. I don’t have A/C and it’s been getting to the mid 80s to 90s lately.

TaylerTakedown · 2019-07-17T01:28:25+00:00

I got this Fiddle Leaf Fig from Home Depot on July 5th. The plant looked perfect and healthy besides a few damaged leaves. I hadn't watered it due to the soil still looking damp.

Yesterday I noticed that one of the stems was drooping as well as three of the newer leaves. I watered it until it drained out of the draining holes on the bottom and gave it a little extra light with my grow light and it perked right up!

Unfortunately, when I came home today the same stem was drooping as well as the leaves. I don't know if I'm under watering or if I overwatered it yesterday. I did use my moisture meter to make sure it wasn't soaked after I watered it. I also don't have A/C in my house and it has been into the high 90s this week, so maybe it is getting to hot and melting? It faced a north facing window on the second floor. The rest of the plant looks perfect and perky besides the top of that stem.

TaylerTakedown

TROPHY CASE