PET for back tingling and leg/hip pain

Hi Debbie:

I guess I can understand Jim's refusal, me personally on the other hand would want to know!  I do know and have heard that rads for such as this do seem to help.  I pray for both of you and pray too that Jim's pain and tingling will cease or at least ease off even without rads.  Also, that he can continue to fish.  By the way, do y'all eat a lot fish he catches?  Keep your chin up and as always praying for y'all.

Jan (Basketcase)

Ladylacy said:

PET

I know I wanted my husband to have a PET or CT scan to see how he is progressing but he said no.  It has been 9 months since Joe refused further chemo (only option) for the reoccurrence of his 2nd primary and spread of his cancer to his right lung.  It is hard not to worry.  I had finally talked him into seeing about a CT scan but our oncologist said no.  Said that since Joe has refused all further treatment what is the sense of having a CT scan and you know the doctor is right.  Me I just wanted to know how much his cancer has progressed but I guess not knowing is better than knowing and really worrying even more.  

It is hard but the decision is always the patient.  I had thought Joe would just give up, but so far he hasn't although I do see him getting weaker.  You know the tingling could be a side effect of the chemo Jim has taken and the radiation.  Joe hasn't had this problem and thankfully his pain isn't too bad and is controlled by pain medication, at least he tells me it is but at times I see different.  Now his moods are another thing but, and the Hospice nurse keeps asking him, and he keeps saying he won't take anything for depression.

Wishing you the best -- Sharon

 

Prayers coming to your family. I too, would honor his request. With that being said, do you think he would be open to some physical therapy? Perhaps that would help, especially if it is not the cancer.

debbie, i'm sorry u r faced with this.  i will b keeping u and jim n my prayers.

God bless,

dj

We patients sure put our caregivers through the ringer don't we.  I'm not making light of Jim's situation, I just really do understand his position.  I have to disagree with your oncologist though.  A PET or nothing at all ?  A CT/MRI will show mets just as well.  And for tracking of his condition to enable him to have the best quality of life he deserves should be the onc's obligation regardless if Jim wants anymore tx's or not.  It could well be mets., but what if it's something less than this ?  You know I'm pulling for you both, and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers !  Katie

You have my thoughts and prayers..... Hopefully with a little time to accept and process the PET is for the best, Jim will come around a little...

John

Sorry to hear about Jim having more pain and problems, I know it is hard but I do respect his dissension. As with me I put it all into Gods hand from here on, I still do what I need to do in trying to stay as healthy as possible and I will continue to do the things I love to do, but for me no more radiation of any kind. I hope I get the house next to you and Jim in heaven so we can look back at this life and laugh at all we went through.

God bless and keep you both.

Still in His Work Shop

Tim Hondo

Hi Debbie

Ruben is experiencing numbness and tingling in his right arm. They did an x-ray and found it's most-likely due to degenerative changes in his neck (possibly from the radiation), but possibly due to age. I haven't had radiation to my neck, and I have DJD there too. Aging sucks!!!

I am not only an oncology nurse, but a hospice nurse as well. I see such a difference in people with terminal illnesses once they come onto hospice.  Many times, their quality of life improves, they relax and live much longer than the doctors thought they would. I've even had to discharge patients from the hospice service as their symptoms lessened (improved) and they were no longer deteriorating at the rate they were expected to! Many of my patients were on hospice for 2 - 5 years. Of course this is not the same for every case,  and a lot of it is mind set.

I am saying a prayer for the two of you, and I certainly understand how you may feel. My husband just completed treatment for H&N c 4 months ago. Worry..... yep.... I think I always will.

Stay strong in the LORD. God's Blessing coming your way.

Jude