Monday, October 24, 2011

The tumor is benign

My doctor called me a few minutes ago. The expert who analyzed my cells had called him, so he was being nice and calling me to relay the news.

To the best of the expert's ability to tell, the tumor is benign. There were no malignant cells or signs of trouble in the entire rather large sample.

This is excellent news. I am very happy.

The news actually gets slightly better.

The cells suggest the lump is most likely a Warthin's tumor. This type of tumor is highly unlikely to turn malignant and also unlikely to recur. Oddly, smoking is associated with it in several places I've read, and I've never smoked--though perhaps I'm paying for years of childhood secondhand smoke.

The other possibility is that the tumor is an oncocytoma. This type of parotid tumor is also benign, unlikely to recur, and unlikely to turn malignant.

I still have to interview doctors for the surgery and then have major surgery on my face, but this news makes today a good day.

16 comments:

Bonnie said...

Thank goodness! So glad to hear it.

Michelle said...

That is wonderful news! Having surgery is still not fun, but it is much better knowing that they are removing a benign tumor than a malignant one. You should start thinking about your story to explain your scar that makes you a bad ass. Stunt double for Vin Diesel?

Mark said...

Thanks for the good wishes, Bonnie and Michelle.

Kyle said...

Woot! Also, if you just want this over with, I know some dudes who'll cut up anybody's face, no questions asked.

Mark said...

Thanks for the offer, Kyle, but I think I'll stick with a surgeon.

steveburnett said...

Excellent news for the circumstances.

Lisa Shearin said...

YES!!! So happy and relieved to hear this! Who said that Monday's suck?

I'm with Michelle--if you gotta have surgery on your face that'll leave a scar, you gotta come up with a bad ass way that it got there.

Dan Brooks said...

Great news, Mark! I've been thinking of you and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Eric said...

Wonderful news! I know there are some rough times ahead, but this is still great news.

It's not often that I miss my religion, but I feel like I ought to be on my knees giving thanks.

Mark said...

Thanks for the kind words and the support, Steve, Lisa, Dan, and Eric. I appreciate everyone being so nice and supportive.

Anonymous said...

Excellent! So now you've no excuse for not writing another book for us all.. :)

Anonymous said...

Great news, now please stay positive. We wish our life away which is never good but lets all hope that time flies for the next few weeks so you can be over this as soon as possible. Hopefully your travels through this medical process won't be as torturous as your allergy shots..All the best....Chris...

Griffin said...

This is great news!

What day do you arrive for WFC? I have something for you.

Mark said...

Indeed. No excuse, and working on book five now.

Mark said...

Thanks, Chris. I try to enjoy every day, though it is easy to let them slip away.

Mark said...

I hit WFC Wed. afternoon.

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