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As life always is, we've experienced an interesting turn of events.

Just going about our day to day life, enjoying the amazing little boy in my life when bam…things change.

Back up 4-6 months ago I had a little lump pop up in my ankle--honestly, I thought nothing of it. Initially I expected it to go away, but when it didm't I just figured it was a little lipoma. It is about an inch in length, non painful and a little squishy. 

Well 3-4 weeks ago I started working out again, then on Friday night my ankle was killing me! I decided I need to go see an orthopedist to get a MRI and then probably just get it removed, or so I thought.

I went to the doctors last week, he said it feels like nothing, let's get an MRI to be certain. I said to the orthopedist "that sounds good, but you know as an oncology nurse I'm always a little concerned about lumps/bumps." He said "I completely understand….if there is any suspicion I will send you over to see Dr. Gibbs or Scarborough (orthopedic oncologists)." I literally chuckled a little nervous laugh and told him that would not be necessary because I know who they are, they operate on my patients and seeing them would just be silly.

Fast forward to yesterday. I worked all night on Wednesday night, got off work on Thursday and headed to the (very fancy) orthopedic institute. The MRI tech called my name and we walked to the MRI suite. He asked me all the questions, told me it would take about 45 minutes. We would do the first set of images then he would inject the contrast and finish it up. Ok I get it, where do I sign. Signed away and in we went. Before it even started I got nervous, people who have cancer get MRIs…oh such a silly thought, stop worrying, try to take a little nap. Once the MRI was over I asked him what he thought, "sorry because of HIPAA I can't say anything." Whatev.

I sat in a room waiting for the orthopedic doc for 45 minutes. After 30 minutes someone came in and said we haven't forgotten about you just trying to get a final report written. When he said that, my thought was that can't be good. He saw that look on my face and said, it'll take less then 10 minutes, don't worry. Well 10 minutes later the orthopedic MD came in…he said "I'm going to refer you over to Gibbs office, the differential has given us a few different options including a fibromatosis, synovial sarcoma or giant cell. I think it's giant cell which is benign but this is their area of expertise. " F…really? He said "Do you know Brandi (their office RN)?" I told him yes of course, I know Brandi well, the oncology world is a small little world. He said "ok I'll call her and she will help you make an appt, but don't worry." Freaking really? Don't worry. Ok sure whatever.

Brandi came and picked me up and we joked on our way over to their office (across to the other side of the office).  We made some small talk and then talked about some of these patients that we mutually take care of then she lead me into the schedulers office. I expressed my concern about everything with her and she said sit tight, let me talk to the radiologist to get a better idea what they are really talking about. Bless her. She came back and said they are leaning towards a differential of fibromatosis vs synovial…great. She said we really have no idea until we get the biopsy. She texted me last night and said she talked to Dr. Gibbs and he reviewed the MRI and said he is leaning towards a differential of giant cell tumor vs synovial. Yet again, we will have no idea until we get the biopsy results.

Game plan:

Wednesday 8/28: Appt to meet Dr. Gibbs preop and labs

Thursday 8/29: Biopsy

I'll post again later (maybe not until next week).