RO, HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU . HOPE ALL IS WELL

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  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #22
    Always Hopeful said:

    Great news, Ro! No treatment
    Great news, Ro! No treatment required now is wonderful! Is steriotactic radiation the type that is often called "bloodless surgery", originally used for brain tumors?

    Peace and hope, JJ

    How different oncologists react to CT scans.
    My oncologist originally ordered a CT scan last November (2009) when my CA125 spiked up to 155. When the scan showed enlarged lymph nodes, he then ordered at PET scan to see if the nodes had metabolic activity. When the nodes lit up on the PET, we started chemo right away. So I'm thinking if Ro were my onc's patient, she'd be getting a PET scan now, as they are over 90% accurate at diagnosing metastisis once the tumor is larger than 1 cm.

    That being said, I wonder if the rush to chemo has any real benefit long-term. I'm not all that sure that it does. I am grateful that I had so few side affects from chemo or I might put up more of a fight when my oncologist wants me back in chemo. I think of how wonderful it would have been to have the past year OUT of treatment instead of IN treatment almost all year. I hope your Florida oncologist also lets you just be monitored for awhile longer, Ro. Enjoy that sunshine!
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #23
    lindaprocopio said:

    How different oncologists react to CT scans.
    My oncologist originally ordered a CT scan last November (2009) when my CA125 spiked up to 155. When the scan showed enlarged lymph nodes, he then ordered at PET scan to see if the nodes had metabolic activity. When the nodes lit up on the PET, we started chemo right away. So I'm thinking if Ro were my onc's patient, she'd be getting a PET scan now, as they are over 90% accurate at diagnosing metastisis once the tumor is larger than 1 cm.

    That being said, I wonder if the rush to chemo has any real benefit long-term. I'm not all that sure that it does. I am grateful that I had so few side affects from chemo or I might put up more of a fight when my oncologist wants me back in chemo. I think of how wonderful it would have been to have the past year OUT of treatment instead of IN treatment almost all year. I hope your Florida oncologist also lets you just be monitored for awhile longer, Ro. Enjoy that sunshine!

    Good to see your smiling face and hear your voice
    Dear Ro,

    Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. You look so vibrant in your picture.

    I think CA-125 is the strangest tumor marker. I read a women with ovarian had 3500 and that went down, zoom! to normal with a few chemo's. Sometimes I wonder what we really know about it. I wonder if normal is really normal and what high really is. I don't panic anymore when it goes up. When I had my recurrance my CA-125 went from 7-14. Then I think 20 something and then 40. She did a PET and there was peritoneal carcinamatosis and I could really feel the pain. Actually, the pain warned me more than the tumor markers did. It went up to I think 80 or 90 before doxil brought it down. I'm with you Linda, We need a better marker so we don't have to have chemo when we don't need it! Of course, I feel that way facing doxil next week and my hair thinning from the carbo. . I am afraid to try the curling iron. I have done the lost hair several times so I feel like it shouldn't bother me now. I think the entire year has hit me today and I am tired. Had those tears for a while and then felt better. Planted tulips and pansies and that felt great. Where is Connie when I need a Warrior whipping?
    Glad you are back with your smiling face Ro. You give me a lift!

    Diane
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    #24
    Ro10 said:

    Got CAT scan results today
    I went to medical records and got my CAT scan results from Friday. The abdomen and pelvis were stable. The chest showed an enlarged paratracheal lymph node that had increased to 2.3cm by 1.3cm. It had been 1.2cm by 0.5cm. Other nodes in the area showed slight increases also.

    Don't know what that will mean for treatment. I have a doctor's appointment on Friday afternoon. At least I feel prepared for the appointment, and won't be shocked with the news. I hope she has talked to the doctor in Florida to see what he recommends, too. We are planning on leaving for Florida October 30, so I will get my treatment there.

    I knew the time would come for more treatment. I am just thankful for the year I had of "no treatment." My hope is to get this treatment done, and then have another year of "no treatment". In peace and caring.

    Ro, sending thoughts and prayers your way
    Have a wonderful trip to Florida!

    Laurie
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #25
    TiggersDoBounce said:

    Ro, sending thoughts and prayers your way
    Have a wonderful trip to Florida!

    Laurie

    Finally heard from doctor in Florida
    He agrees to repeat the scan in 2 months. I will have lab and CAT scan the week of Dec 13 and see him on Dec 21. I am glad that he agrees. He has always told me he does not treat a number.

    With my outbreak of shingles (see other post).....I wonder if that affected the number. I know inflammation or infection can falsely raise the marker. I read (on the internet)that the lymph nodes can increase before the outbreak of the rash. I know I am probably reaching, but I will keep that in mind until the next lab draw, and enjoy these next 6 weeks without treatment.

    I am having two more skin cancers removed in the next two weeks. I will have the MOHS surgery as they are on the face and neck. Have any others who are out of treatment gone for a dermatology check? I had 4 areas that needed surgery. All occured after I finished chemo.

    Other than the symptoms from the shingles, I am doing great. Hope everyone is doing okay, too. You all remain in my prayers everynight. In peace and caring.
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #26
    Ro10 said:

    Finally heard from doctor in Florida
    He agrees to repeat the scan in 2 months. I will have lab and CAT scan the week of Dec 13 and see him on Dec 21. I am glad that he agrees. He has always told me he does not treat a number.

    With my outbreak of shingles (see other post).....I wonder if that affected the number. I know inflammation or infection can falsely raise the marker. I read (on the internet)that the lymph nodes can increase before the outbreak of the rash. I know I am probably reaching, but I will keep that in mind until the next lab draw, and enjoy these next 6 weeks without treatment.

    I am having two more skin cancers removed in the next two weeks. I will have the MOHS surgery as they are on the face and neck. Have any others who are out of treatment gone for a dermatology check? I had 4 areas that needed surgery. All occured after I finished chemo.

    Other than the symptoms from the shingles, I am doing great. Hope everyone is doing okay, too. You all remain in my prayers everynight. In peace and caring.

    Good to hear from you, Ro
    Hi Ro,

    I am happy that your Florida Dr. agrees with the plan. Enjoy the next 6 weeks to the fullest! Am hoping that the changes you experienced were due to the Shingles. I think that is certainly possible. BUT, what a bummer....SHINGLES! Hope you got on medicine very fast as that really decreases the length of time they last and the pain! Know from experience that pain can be awful!!

    Interesting about the skin cancer since chemo. I had never thought about that! What changes in your skin did you notice? I don't know what MOHS surgery is, so you will have to educate me!

    Best wishes to you always! You are an amazing lady!!

    Karen

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