我的胸腺瘤治疗：为什么我选择MD安德森

当我发现我有胸腺瘤 - 胸腺腺的稀有肿瘤 - 我知道我无法留在南德克萨斯州治疗。

我一直厌恶十多年来，我有些不对劲，但没有人在胸骨后面慢慢生长的大量症状。

Over the years, I’d seen a cardiologist for heart palpitations, a gastroenterologist for swallowing problems, an ophthalmologist for vision problems, a dermatologist for skin rashes, a neurologist for a facial weakness, an endocrinologist for thyroid problems and a rheumatologist for joint pain. It turns out all of those could’ve been caused by the tumor. But the only diagnoses I received were Hashimoto’s disease (a type of hypothyroidism) and Sjorgen’s syndrome. Both are considered autoimmune disorders.

然后，在2018年6月，我有一个胸部X射线，准备次要的手术程序。它揭示了肿瘤在我的胸骨下面的网球的大小。我的医生想把我推荐给另一个专家：胸外科医生。

Instead, I calledMD安德森。As a school nurse, I knew that mine was an uncommon type of tumor, so I needed a higher level of expertise than I could find in Laredo.

我的胸腺瘤治疗

The following week, I traveled to Houston to meet with thoracic surgeonDr. Mara Antonoff, pulmonary medicine specialistEdwin Ostrin博士and oncologistPhat Le博士at MD Anderson. They confirmed my chest tumor was an invasive thymoma and recommendedchemotherapyto shrink it, then手术删除它。

不幸的是，肿瘤对化疗没有响应太多。然而，我们仍然能够继续前进手术，在完成化疗后计划大约六周。这非常激烈。安东尼奥博士不得不打开我的胸骨去肿瘤，就像在露天手术中一样。幸运的是，她能够消除整件事。

After the surgery, Dr. Antonoff shared more good news: the cancer hadn’t spread. But because the tumor had invaded some of the surrounding tissues, she wanted me to haveradiation therapydaily for five weeks to kill any remaining cancer cells. I started radiation atMD安德森in Sugar Landon Feb. 25, 2019, and finished on March 29.

在MD安德森寻找专业知识和保证

Today, my thymoma is considered in remission. But I’m still dealing with someldsports乐动体育 从我的治疗中，如Chemobrain。

Still, I know that going to MD Anderson was the right decision. Everyone from the valet parking attendants to the employees I’d stop in the hallways to ask for directions was so awesome and helpful. They all made me feel so comfortable, and that gave me real peace of mind.

我发现了我需要的放心我在MD安德森的门内脚下。鸵鸟博士说，“别担心。我们有你，“我知道我在正确的地方。我会没事的。事实证明我是对的。

在MD Anderson在线预约或通过拨打1-877-632-6789。