PET Scan results **UPDATED**

Doc_Hawk
Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
edited January 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

I had my PET on Friday and got the results today.  The good news is that the tumor in my right lung is gone.  The bad news is that instead of one medium size and shrinking tumor in the upper lobe of the liver, there are now two very large tumors that occupy from 1/3 to 1/2 of the lobe.  The onc says surgery is out because the anti-rejection drugs can cause tumors elsewhere to bloom.  I told him that I'd talked with several people who have had liver resections and replacements but he still didn't think it was an option.  

Considering the tumor growth, it appears that Zaltrap isn't working for me, so he's putting me back on Avastin and Oxy in my next session.  I have to be honest here: I'm at the point now that I worry I won't see 2014, or even my birthday in May.

 

God Bless to all

 

Ray/Doc

 

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Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Treatment

    So sorry that the new meds are taking.  Just don't have nothing to offer besides another opinion and prayers.  Maybe the new treatment will help. Wishing the best for you.  Prayers on the way.

    Kim

  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    Ray, you stop talking like that...

     image  You are going to fight this friend just like you did all the other obsticals that you have faced.. Please don't give up .. you have inspired me so often here.. and I don't know what I'd have done with out knowing you. All my love and <<HUGS>> Your other Jersey Girl.. Donna  

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Dear Ray

    I hope that you can explore the surgery option further with another doctor.  I  have to think there is one out there who will see it differently.

    As you circle the wagons and bring in reinforcements, don't give up finishing the editing on that book, planning one heck of a birthday bash and contimplating a blow out date for next New Year's eve!

    May God bring you the best medical solution for improvement all round.

    Hugs and love,

    Miss Kitty

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    Get a second and third
    Get a second and third opinion on the liver surgery and get it from a surgeon not an oncologist. I have had 3 liber surgeries. They took 65% of my liver last year.
  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    Sending prayers and best
    Sending prayers and best wishes. I hope you see another doctor and get better options.
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    Talk to a surgeon. What your
    Talk to a surgeon. What your onc told you is only his/her opinion. You could get a completely different opinion from another person. Please do not settle for this. Great about the lung tumor. Keep fighting.

    Chelsea
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    getting to "yes"

    The antirejection drugs are for transplants, you just want the old one trimmed.   When I was looking for surgeons for my wife's para aortic lymph nodes [cluster as it turned out], the medical oncologists badgered me to do their [expensive, ugly, hopeless] version of chemo instead, despite freely admiting it would not be long term successful.   

    The unobtainable surgery got her to long term, and our mild immunochemo is still working.   Got to find that magic surgeon that has a good track record with your kind of operation. 

     

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    Are you able to get a 2nd opinion?

    I've seen other cases where up to 80% of the liver was removed, so I'm not sure that your doctor is totally correct in his opinion.  My experience has been that our oncologists don't always know what is and is not possible in the surgical realm.   The other thing I would wonder about is the procedure in which chemo is pumped directly into the liver.  Again, I've read of people on these forums who had that done to shrink the tumors, and then followed it up with surgery.  Givent that the lung tumor is gone, I don't think I would accept this as the final word...it just seems like there may be more that can be done!  Ann Alexandria

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    Life

    You are an inspiration, you keep fighting to stay with us.  Keep us informed we all love you. 

    Our neighbor had 3/4 of his liver removed 8 years ago due to cancer.  He was also colon cancer.

  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    2nd opinion (or how many it takes)

    I'm going to consult the surgeons down in salt Lake City at the University of Utah as well as the local doc who took out my appendix and gall bladder in October.  As far as getting chemo pumped right into the liver tumors, my onc and I discussed it a few months ago and he checked.  It's not available in this state.  I have looked into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but I'd have to relocate to another state and even then, they're not contracted with my insurance company.

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    2nd opinion (or how many it takes)

    I'm going to consult the surgeons down in salt Lake City at the University of Utah as well as the local doc who took out my appendix and gall bladder in October.  As far as getting chemo pumped right into the liver tumors, my onc and I discussed it a few months ago and he checked.  It's not available in this state.  I have looked into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but I'd have to relocate to another state and even then, they're not contracted with my insurance company.

    For a listing of cancer centers by state, try this site

    patientresource.com

     

    (don't know how thorough listings are)

  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    2nd opinion (or how many it takes)

    I'm going to consult the surgeons down in salt Lake City at the University of Utah as well as the local doc who took out my appendix and gall bladder in October.  As far as getting chemo pumped right into the liver tumors, my onc and I discussed it a few months ago and he checked.  It's not available in this state.  I have looked into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but I'd have to relocate to another state and even then, they're not contracted with my insurance company.

    Good advice here

    Oncologists and surgeons see cancer somewhat differently. It is certainly worth it to talk to a skilled surgeon and get her advice. I know it's hard to stay postive when you've had so many curve balls thrown your way, but it's in you to keep fighting.

    Talk to a good surgeon.

    Hugs from California~

    Tommycat

  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    2nd opinion (or how many it takes)

    I'm going to consult the surgeons down in salt Lake City at the University of Utah as well as the local doc who took out my appendix and gall bladder in October.  As far as getting chemo pumped right into the liver tumors, my onc and I discussed it a few months ago and he checked.  It's not available in this state.  I have looked into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but I'd have to relocate to another state and even then, they're not contracted with my insurance company.

    Yo have had lots of good

    Yo have had lots of good solid advice...glad to see that you are getting 2nd & 3rd opinions!   You have to fight...don't get discouraged.

     

    Alex

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

    Yo have had lots of good

    Yo have had lots of good solid advice...glad to see that you are getting 2nd & 3rd opinions!   You have to fight...don't get discouraged.

     

    Alex

    Praying for you my dear friend !
    I'm sure things will become better for you from now!
    Hugs!
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    Doc

    stay strong & do not give up! glad you will get another opinion.

    praying for you

    hugs from indiana

    judy

  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    new pic

    love your new picture!

  • Varmint5
    Varmint5 Member Posts: 384 Member
    Liver targeted therapy

    Ray,

    I am so sorry to hear of this development. I do sincerely hope you go for several other opinions as the others have suggested. If the cancer is only in your liver, maybe liver targeted therapy would be a good option - hepatic artery infusion or SIR spheres or Theraspheres. I wish the best for you and hope things start looking up. Hang in there.

    Sandy

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    Get 2/3 opinion

    Ray/Doc,

    Do not be discouraged by the news, just push for a second and third opinion.  The CCTA may be able to work with you and what your insurance can pay.  Talk to their financial counselor or social worker.  A friend of mine had stage 4 prostrate to the liver and was given 1 year.  He got a second opinion at Duke and now has tremendous shrinkage in the liver to where they can resect.  Do not waiver, do not give in.  We are always here for you. Don't get mad, get even with those tumors!  Please keep us posted. 

     

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    I hate this dang disease...  

    I hate this dang disease...   As the others have said, try not to get discouraged, and keep fighting...

    Warm wishes for better days ahead,

    Cyn

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Sorry

    Praying you can find a doctor that can offer you some hope!

     

    *hugs*

    Gail