PET Scan results etc

The PET Scan which I had on 17 Aug and which also showed the pneumonia had some otherwise good results. There is a non-reactive node in my left lung. We'll be following it to err on the side of caution, but otherwise not much concern. The tumor in my right lung is very small and shows minor activity. The best part is in the liver. In May there were six tumors, now there are only three and the largest two show healthy tissue in the center of the tumors as the liver repairs itself from the inside as well as the outside! My onc was very impressed by that. While I did not get treatment during my hospital stay, I did get my CEA, 169 a good 60 point drop from two weeks earlier. My liver functions continue to be "amazingly well" to a point comparable to a non-drinker without liver mets.

As follow-ups, I need to increase my warfarin to every day and after I've finished the round of antibiotics, need to go in for another set of chest x-rays. For the first time in weeks, I was actually hungry this evening after treatment. I mentioned to the onc that I was considering an herbal remedy for lack of appetite and he told me that after getting an auth from the insurance company, he could prescribe what I'm guessing would be marinol.
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Comments

  • SharonVegas
    SharonVegas Member Posts: 189
    Doc, That's great news!
    Doc, That's great news! Considering all you've been through lately, I'm glad there was a rainbow in your day! And hopefully a nice meal :-)
    Best to you,
    SharonVegas
  • SharonVegas
    SharonVegas Member Posts: 189
    Doc, That's great news!
    Doc, That's great news! Considering all you've been through lately, I'm glad there was a rainbow in your day! And hopefully a nice meal :-)
    Best to you,
    SharonVegas
  • Varmint5
    Varmint5 Member Posts: 384 Member
    Great news
    So happy to hear all this, Doc. I've been worried about you. It sounds like you are on the mend. I'm glad your appetite came back this evening - hope that continues. My daughter started on Marinol and has been on it a couple of weeks. It is finally starting to work. She takes it 1/2 to 1 hour before each meal.

    Sandy
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    looking up
    Doc its sounds like things are turning the corner for you. I love it when that hungry feeling comes after having so many days when there isn't an appetite. Pray you keep getting better. Jeff
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Varmint5 said:

    Great news
    So happy to hear all this, Doc. I've been worried about you. It sounds like you are on the mend. I'm glad your appetite came back this evening - hope that continues. My daughter started on Marinol and has been on it a couple of weeks. It is finally starting to work. She takes it 1/2 to 1 hour before each meal.

    Sandy

    Marinol
    The big concern that I have about Marinol is if it has the same mental effect as marijuana? I really don't like that out of control, Beavis and Butthead feeling that I get from the latter.
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685

    Doc, That's great news!
    Doc, That's great news! Considering all you've been through lately, I'm glad there was a rainbow in your day! And hopefully a nice meal :-)
    Best to you,
    SharonVegas

    Sharon
    Thanks, Sharon. It was a pretty nice dinner, although I couldn't eat very much. The stomach does tend to shrink when not filled on a regular basis. I do have to start working on eating more: when I'm back up to speed I want to go to Red Lobster for the all you can eat shrimp!
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685

    looking up
    Doc its sounds like things are turning the corner for you. I love it when that hungry feeling comes after having so many days when there isn't an appetite. Pray you keep getting better. Jeff

    Hunger
    Amen to that Jeff! For a change, hunger pangs felt good and very welcome!
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    That is good news Ray...
    That is good news Ray... after all you have been through the last couple weeks I bet you were surprised to hear something so wonderful. I am very happy for you and pray that your good news continues.
    GOD bless you.
    Brenda
  • Varmint5
    Varmint5 Member Posts: 384 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Marinol
    The big concern that I have about Marinol is if it has the same mental effect as marijuana? I really don't like that out of control, Beavis and Butthead feeling that I get from the latter.

    Beavis and Butthead
    LOL! You must be quite a bit younger than me. I would have said Cheech and Chong. She says the Marinol doesn't really do anything that she can tell. She is already tired all the time, so I don't know if it contributes to that or not. The timing of the "munchies" effect isn't perfect - that often comes on several hours after the meal.

    Sandy
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Varmint5 said:

    Beavis and Butthead
    LOL! You must be quite a bit younger than me. I would have said Cheech and Chong. She says the Marinol doesn't really do anything that she can tell. She is already tired all the time, so I don't know if it contributes to that or not. The timing of the "munchies" effect isn't perfect - that often comes on several hours after the meal.

    Sandy

    Age
    I'm 53 and always loved Cheech and Chong in their prime. The satire and self deprecating humor that they used is classic. My favorite routine of theirs was always the two dogs Ralph and Herbie. Just listening to it, I could close my eyes and picture these two dogs! I never did care for Beavis and Butthead, that sort of toilet humor just doesn't appeal to me. Unless I'm cataclysmically blown out of my gourd, then even "pull my finger" can start a serious case of giggles.
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Dear Doc
    Congrats on the remarkable PET scan news! Sounds like the treatments are really doing the job.

    Glad to hear that you are feeling more like eating. That in itself will help to rebuild your strenght. If you want something with "no" side effects perhaps one of the protein drinks like Ensure or Boost might help.

    Wishing you continued improvement on all fronts!

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    Doc
    So glad you are feeling better and your appetite back. Maybe getting out of the hospital early was a blessing. Hospitals can keep you sick. Congrats on your scan results, sounds like things are moving in the right direction, smaller!
    Sandy :)
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    The PET scan is the big picture and is enormously good news- the pneumonia will pass and be but a bad memory, but your progress in fighting the cancer will make a difference to in the longer term and is fabulous. Give yourself time to recover as regaining your appetite and energy always takes longer than you expect. However, the more active you can be now as you get your strength back, the more your appetitie will return naturally and the less you will need to rely on artificial stuimulants of your appetite.

    I can tell by your posts that you have some of your spark, humour and energy back- we have missed it!

    steve
  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    Such good news
    and an appetite too. Good to hear!
  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    Endless shrimp...count me
    Endless shrimp...count me in! I am so glad that your PET came black with great news. Keep up the good work and try to build up that appetite.

    Alex
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Maxiecat said:

    Endless shrimp...count me
    Endless shrimp...count me in! I am so glad that your PET came black with great news. Keep up the good work and try to build up that appetite.

    Alex

    Good My friendo! Thats the way!
    How is ur fever?
    Hugs!
  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    Great News
    Positive information about the Liver and feeling better as well. Good to hear Doc...Art
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    pepebcn said:

    Good My friendo! Thats the way!
    How is ur fever?
    Hugs!

    Fever
    My temp is back down to the normal range and even a little bit cool last night.
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Thanks
    Thank you all. I think in light of the results and apparent return of my appetite, I'll celebrate by starting some PT at home today without grousing at the the therapist!.
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Thanks
    Thank you all. I think in light of the results and apparent return of my appetite, I'll celebrate by starting some PT at home today without grousing at the the therapist!.

    So everything is positive !
    I hope we both are in the good way mate!