The pathology report confirmed that the tumor was malignant melanoma and that it had reached the outer layer of the eye. However, it had not broken through the outer layer. Dr. Gombos voiced a few concerns in his “limited concern, hedge-your-bet” voice, but said he is not recommending radiation for me.
Those words, of course colored all subsequent perceptions, and I’m not too sure what all else he said.
Except that there is still some edema, and some other healing to do in the eye socket. Things look “good” (not perfect), and he wants to see me in three months. I think he was talking about six month intervals after that for a couple years, assuming everything goes well.
Dr. Gombos said we can cut back the ointment in the eye to once a day (hooray) and that my Lubbock ophthalmologist will have to be alerted to a couple of tissue issues and other concerns. He gave a qualified go-ahead to start the ocularist associations.
We are working on some short term follow-up stuff now and will be free to go home this weekend. I have some local testing and diagnoses to follow-up on Friday, and blood to give and a CT scan in Lubbock later this month.
We don’t have a complete sign-off on this phase yet, but the scariest part is over.
Prayers of thanksgiving in order.