Stage 3-A nsclc 6 weeks Chemo&Radiation (Another PET CT?)

don09
don09 Member Posts: 108
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hi everybody my wife was diagnosed in Oct with 3-A NSC in her right lung.She finished the six weeks of chemo & Radiation.We just got the results from the CT scan the Tumor in her right lung has shrunk 50% (YEAH!)Surgery is a Go.Our question is should she get a PET CT Scan before they do the surgery.Thanks for all your support.

Comments

  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    Pet scan
    Hello, I was wondering if your wife had a PET scan to start with? I am assuming she did to make sure of no mets.to any other areas.I had 3rd stage terminal, inoperable lung cancer.Since they can do surgery for your wifes cancer, they would operate no matter what ..to get that mass out of the way.I have had four PETS and my insurance denied my last scan for December 2009,so I had to just do the CT. I am miraculously in remission so the CAT showed no reason for a PET as far as the insurance company felt.But for your wife, I feel they are taking one step at a time.Get this cancer out, and ask if they will do one before they start treatments.They may wait until after treatments and do another one then.I can tell you that I would ask about your insurance being involved.My daughter works for a company and she says things are getting scary for all of the insured.good luck to you and your wife.And tell her..there are a lot of us out here who know how she is feeling.I was told I would be dead by now..April 2008 I was given two months to live.I have a VERY strong faith and do believe miracles still happen.I am living proof along with many others on this site.prayerfully..Jill
  • don09
    don09 Member Posts: 108
    mercey said:

    Pet scan
    Hello, I was wondering if your wife had a PET scan to start with? I am assuming she did to make sure of no mets.to any other areas.I had 3rd stage terminal, inoperable lung cancer.Since they can do surgery for your wifes cancer, they would operate no matter what ..to get that mass out of the way.I have had four PETS and my insurance denied my last scan for December 2009,so I had to just do the CT. I am miraculously in remission so the CAT showed no reason for a PET as far as the insurance company felt.But for your wife, I feel they are taking one step at a time.Get this cancer out, and ask if they will do one before they start treatments.They may wait until after treatments and do another one then.I can tell you that I would ask about your insurance being involved.My daughter works for a company and she says things are getting scary for all of the insured.good luck to you and your wife.And tell her..there are a lot of us out here who know how she is feeling.I was told I would be dead by now..April 2008 I was given two months to live.I have a VERY strong faith and do believe miracles still happen.I am living proof along with many others on this site.prayerfully..Jill

    Thank you
    I am trying to get Kathy (my wife)to log on herself,she sure could use some friends to fight the good fight with..If you or any one else write`s back please address it to Kathy (shes a little shy at first)Thanks again Jill you are in our prayers,God Bless Don
  • Laura88
    Laura88 Member Posts: 47
    don09 said:

    Thank you
    I am trying to get Kathy (my wife)to log on herself,she sure could use some friends to fight the good fight with..If you or any one else write`s back please address it to Kathy (shes a little shy at first)Thanks again Jill you are in our prayers,God Bless Don

    Great News
    Hello Kathy and Don:

    What wonderful news for Kathy -- surgery would be wonderful. I guess we can only do what our insurance allows, but I will say this: my story was a bit different. I was diagnosed with Stage 3B in May, 2009, underwent 6 cycles of cisplatin/alimta and 8 weeks of intense radiation. Did great. Things looked wonderful from a CT and they sent me to the surgeon. He was optimistic, but wanted a PET first. Well -- the PET came back with a positive reading on the pelvic bone that was not there before in May. MRI confirmed mets to bone, and MRI to head confirmed mets to brain. I am now undergoing radiation to brain and pelvis and will start chemo after i recover from that.

    No please don't be alarmed -- that is my story and my story only, but I don't believe we would have found this as soon without the PET the surgeon ordered.

    Now that said -- if your onc/surgeon feels that they have what they need just from the CT then perhaps they do -- they really know what they are doing. Please, please let us know how Kathy is doing and what the status of her surgery is. I am praying for cure. Laura
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    don09 said:

    Thank you
    I am trying to get Kathy (my wife)to log on herself,she sure could use some friends to fight the good fight with..If you or any one else write`s back please address it to Kathy (shes a little shy at first)Thanks again Jill you are in our prayers,God Bless Don

    Pet scan
    Hello Kathy, I know you are very scared.I still am and I have been fighting this since May 2008..It never gets not scary because it is cancer..but you don't have to be lost.I agree about a PET.I am not as settled only having a CAT scan instead of a PET in December.But as I wrote my insurance won't allow it.My husband has said we can pay for it ourselves if it will make me feel better..but I am trusting God that i am still cancer free.after all..I was told there was no hope for me and that was almost two years ago.I also had a CT scan three years ago which did not show the cancer and by the time it was found..it was 111rd stage.The PET would have shown it earlier i am convinced.So it is in your hands as far as pushing for what you feel will ease your mind. Believe Gods Word about healing and learn it.That is what has carried me through all of this.And since I now only got the CT scan..I have to trust God that I an fine.. My greatest fear was cancer..God has shown me He is greater than my greatest fear...much love, Jill
  • CCSAMMY
    CCSAMMY Member Posts: 4
    NSCLC DIAGNOSED JULY 15 2009
    I TOO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NCSLC STAGE 3A OF THE RIGHT LUNG AND LYMPH NODES... I HAD CHEMO AND RADIATION TOGETHER EVERY DAY FOR 3 MONTHS... I HAD A PET SCAN PRIOR TO MY DIAGNOSIS AND I HAD A PET SCAN AFTER TREATMENT AND PRIOR TO SURGERY... MY SURGERY WAS NOVEMBER 10TH 2009... I AM NOW 8 WEEKS POST-OP AND DOING GREAT...THE PATHOLOGY REPORT FROM THE SURGERY SHOWS NED "NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE" AS OF THIS WRITING I AM CANCER FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... YEAH I DO BELIEVE THAT THINGS HAPPEN FOR REASON... I WAS ONLY DIAGNOSED BECAUSE I FELL AND HIT MY HEAD REQUIRING 57 STICHES WHEN THEY DID THE CT SCAN OF MY HEAD IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM IT FORTUNATELY INCLUDED THE VERY TOP OR THE "APEX" OF THE RIGHT LUNG... THANK YOU LORD IS ALL I CAN SAY...I AM HAVING CHEMO NOW AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY... I HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR YOU AND YOUR SURGERY... BE POSITIVE IN YOUR THINKING IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR HEALING...

    CC
  • BILL914
    BILL914 Member Posts: 21 Member
    STAGE 3A - PET CT?
    I was diagnosed with 3A NSC in my left lung. Had PET, was told no operation. Had 6 weeks daily radiation and weekly chemo. When finished, had another PET. Was told that it had shrunk enough to operate. They removed my entire left lung.
    Good News - The surgery took place on 12/2/2004 - I AM PAST 5 YEARS!
    Best of luck.