got my pet results

optimist
optimist Member Posts: 51
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have just spoken to my Dr. about my PET scan taken on Monday. On the positive side, it seems that some of my liver tumors are showing signs of necrosis after two rounds of Oxaliplatin and Xeloda. On the other hand, he felt that my tumors are lighting up more intensely and because my CEA remains in the 90's, he doesn't feel that this therapy is enough. I will be getting a hepatic pump to deliver chemo drugs directly to my liver. Since I had allergic reactions to oxaliplatin twice, he doesn't feel that the benefits of it warrant me to continue it for now.

My PET scan also showed that my lymph nodes that had lit up in the past are larger than they were. I have also developed two lesions on my lung which are suspicious. (I have never had a lung met as of now.) Coincidentally, I have been heavily coughing for the past few weeks. I thought that it was the remnants of a cold. Because of these lesions, he wants me to go back to Erbitux because he feels that when I was on it my lymph nodes were stable and it was controlling any possible lung mets.

It sounds like a plan that makes sense. The liver pump will give strong chemo directly to the tumors. Erbitux will hopefully control everything else.

What do the experts on this board think? Does anyone have any experience with this kind of treatment?

Comments

  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #2
    Sorry not me. But I'll keep you in my prayers.
  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
    #3
    jerseysue said:

    Sorry not me. But I'll keep you in my prayers.

    Hi
    You got kind of a mixed bag there. Necrosis in the one hand and possible lung mets on the other. You must be feeling confused and a bit scared, maybe? The hepatic pump seems to be a good way to go.How was the erbitux for you the previous time? i don't think that the coughing is connected with the lung lesions neccessarily.I also have lung mets, but no coughing. Hopefully it is just the remnants of a cold. your post was so straightforward, no negativity in view. You sound as strong as ever. Godd luck and I will be reading to see how it goes for you.
  • optimist
    optimist Member Posts: 51
    #4
    finner said:

    Hi
    You got kind of a mixed bag there. Necrosis in the one hand and possible lung mets on the other. You must be feeling confused and a bit scared, maybe? The hepatic pump seems to be a good way to go.How was the erbitux for you the previous time? i don't think that the coughing is connected with the lung lesions neccessarily.I also have lung mets, but no coughing. Hopefully it is just the remnants of a cold. your post was so straightforward, no negativity in view. You sound as strong as ever. Godd luck and I will be reading to see how it goes for you.

    Thanks for putting me at ease about my coughing. Maybe it will start to go away. Erbitux had very little side effects except for the rash. I've been off of it for six weeks and finally my skin is perfect. A week or two on Erbitux, and I'm sure it will be back. I am negative only in the sense that I have to go through this at all. We all don't deserve this horrendous disease. We know things about chemo, mets, etc. that no human needs to know. I am not negative about my plan. I feel that it makes sense and has the best chance of working. Thanks for your interest and good wishes.
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #5
    why no avastin???????????

    Lisa P.
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #6
    Hi. OK, here is my OPINION. The cough and PET + lung nodules may be OK. If it is in the lymph nodes, when you have an infection (a cough) lymph nodes in the lungs will be inflammed. Inflammation, cancer, etc cause the PET to be +. TRY to relax on that front. I have lung mets and have NEVER had any symptoms.

    The liver stuff: sounds like you have a good doc, checking things often, re-staging, and adjusting your treatments accordingly. Sounds like your doc is good. When was you last CT? If the cuts are small enough, the CT is a better gauge to follow mets - that is how they do it at MD Anderson. HOWEVER, I haven't seen your scans and what you are getting may be the best treatments for you.

    Try to stay positive. Keep NED as your focus. Your name is optimist... put that as your goal. I know it is hard, but its how I keep moving forward. Cure is my only goal. Keep stepping forward... more time gives those crafty scientist time to get new drugs.

    The mind is a powerful thing. Convince your mind to FIGHT!!

    Hang in there. jana
  • optimist
    optimist Member Posts: 51
    #7
    jana11 said:

    Hi. OK, here is my OPINION. The cough and PET + lung nodules may be OK. If it is in the lymph nodes, when you have an infection (a cough) lymph nodes in the lungs will be inflammed. Inflammation, cancer, etc cause the PET to be +. TRY to relax on that front. I have lung mets and have NEVER had any symptoms.

    The liver stuff: sounds like you have a good doc, checking things often, re-staging, and adjusting your treatments accordingly. Sounds like your doc is good. When was you last CT? If the cuts are small enough, the CT is a better gauge to follow mets - that is how they do it at MD Anderson. HOWEVER, I haven't seen your scans and what you are getting may be the best treatments for you.

    Try to stay positive. Keep NED as your focus. Your name is optimist... put that as your goal. I know it is hard, but its how I keep moving forward. Cure is my only goal. Keep stepping forward... more time gives those crafty scientist time to get new drugs.

    The mind is a powerful thing. Convince your mind to FIGHT!!

    Hang in there. jana

    Thanks for responding. As far as not being on Avastin for now, I am getting surgery to implant the hepatic pump next week. They feel that Avastin can delay healing and they don't want to put me on it for a few weeks. They will probably add it at that time.

    Jana, thanks for the info on the lung. Yesterday, I had Benadryl, Decadron and Erbitux and mysteriously my cough mostly went away. It could be the steroids, but I love to think that Erbitux took the nodules away. I can only dream.

    As far as my liver, I had a CAT scan Dec 16. My insurance only approved a PET at this time because the dates were so close. I'm sure they would approve it if we were to appeal. My oncologist believes that the PET is more accurate because some drugs make the CAT scan show false readings.

    As far as being an optimist, I have been one my whole life. However, it is getting more and more difficult. This disease keeps coming after me. Every time I take a test, things get worse. But, your right, I have to keep fighting. Thanks for reminding me!
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #8
    Hi:
    What chemo will they be infusing with a hepatic pump?..I assume it will be in addition to the erbitux..try not to worry about a cough- my husband has a lung met and a few small lesions in addition to his liver mets and other than when he has a cold has no cough...
    Good luck with your treatments
    Bev

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