Bad CT scan results from Vanderbilt

amcp

As you know my husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer stage 4 in 8/06, colostomy 9/06, colostomy repair 07, 2 plus yrs of chemo, sent to Vandy in 12/08, right lung surgery in 2/09 remove metastases nodule and 4 % of lung, 4/09 liver resection removed
75 % of right lobe of liver. Told NED. In September went back again for another scan, radiologist said metastases in left lung and maybe right lung. Well Monday 11/2/09 we were back at Vanderbilt for CT scan, CEA, and to see DR Goff the onocologist. She did not have results back but stressed that Frank needed to try to get his strength back so if needed he would be illegable for Phase 1 clinical trial. Frank told her of his right shoulder hurting, she did not think it was anything to worry about but sent him for a shoulder xray. This morning she called and asked to speak to both of us on the phone, she said she was very concerned both lung have metastatic nodules which have doubled in size in 8 weeks and the shoulder xray looked like it could be cancer. She wants Frank to have a bone density test and then if it is cancer 10 radiation treatments over five days.
Frank said he did not want to go back to Vanderbilt and she said that was okay. She would call DR McCarty our oncologist here and arrange for him to schedule bone density test and then radiation treatments if needed. She wants us to come back to Vandy 4 weeks after Frank finishes the radiation treatments. There is nothing left to do for the lung mets except a phase 1 trial and that is only if Frank gets strong enough to up and active 1/2 of each day which he is not near that now. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. You have been with us through the highs and the lows. We are just thankful for the three years and everyday that comes. We appreciate each of you and your encouragement. Fighting on another day.

patsy1954

So Sorry
So sorry for the bad news. I will keep you in my daily prayers and hope that all works well for you.

Pat

snommintj

patsy1954 said:

So Sorry
So sorry for the bad news. I will keep you in my daily prayers and hope that all works well for you.

Pat

get his cancer screened
I was in a similar situation until friday of last week. Now I have options. CarisDx in Pheonix, tell them you want the full workup. Im starting a treatment with a breast cancer drug that has a clinically proven efficacy on my tumors with my protein overexpression, after that it's some kidney cancer treatment. Also, before you go old school radiation, maybe you should look for some RFA centers or maybe someone who does cyberknife. I have a friend with stage four breast cancer that just had several tumors removed from her spine with a specific kind of RFA. It will save you a bunch of pain and hassle if you can get those treated more effectively.

lisa42

Dr. Cantrell
Hi,

I'm very sorry to hear of this. I'm sounding like a broken record the past few days with my advice, but... I'm telling you- call Dr. Stephen Cantrell at Neoplas Innovations there in Nashville, Tennessee (Brentwood). Since it's local for you (I'm assuming that since you've been at Vanderbilt), it wouldn't be nearly the big deal that it is for some folks (I'm flying there from California). If there's "nothing else" that they say can be done, then there's nothing to be lost by looking into this. I have an appt there myself Dec. 3rd. The website is www.neoplas.org.
Someone posted recently that they talked about it w/ Dr. Lena at USC and he was skeptical. My thoughts are that a lot of folks in the medical profession were originally skeptical about a lot of the treatments that are now accepted and used. I spoke w/ a patient who has just been on Dr. Cantrell's treatments 4 months, but he was ready to enter hospice and now his PET scan last week showed nothing! He claims it's his miracle and he's trying to get word out to everyone. I know not everyone responds the same and it might not work for everyone, but what have you got to lose by trying??!

Best wishes to you and prayers for Frank-

Hugs,
Lisa

Fight for my love

Hi there,you and your
Hi there,you and your husband are in my prayers for sure.You and your husband have been very classic inspiration for all of us on this board.There are many options available these days.There is always hope.Take care and good luck with the treatment.

Buzzard

Fight for my love said:

Hi there,you and your
Hi there,you and your husband are in my prayers for sure.You and your husband have been very classic inspiration for all of us on this board.There are many options available these days.There is always hope.Take care and good luck with the treatment.

Anna and Frank.......
I wish you the very best in the next part of your journey. I sincerely hope that things come into place for you both. My love and sincere empathy comes to you both...Love ya both, Clift

tootsie1

Praying
I'm so sorry you've had such discouraging news. I do hope that someone will be able to offer a hopeful treatment for Frank.

I'll be praying for both of you.

*hugs*
Gail

Kathryn_in_MN

So sorry to hear of the scan
So sorry to hear of the scan results not being good. I hope he gets his strength up for the clinical trial, or that you find another route to take that will work for him.

sfmarie

HOPE
I am sorry to hear of this new development. Great that you are fighting on another day. I do hope your husband can get some strength back. As John said, there are options. I recently attended a Colon Cancer Alliance Seminar at UCSF where the radiologist and interventional radiologist discussed many, many advances. I am praying for you. Marie

califsue

snommintj said:

get his cancer screened
I was in a similar situation until friday of last week. Now I have options. CarisDx in Pheonix, tell them you want the full workup. Im starting a treatment with a breast cancer drug that has a clinically proven efficacy on my tumors with my protein overexpression, after that it's some kidney cancer treatment. Also, before you go old school radiation, maybe you should look for some RFA centers or maybe someone who does cyberknife. I have a friend with stage four breast cancer that just had several tumors removed from her spine with a specific kind of RFA. It will save you a bunch of pain and hassle if you can get those treated more effectively.

Tumors removed from spine with RFA
Hi John,

I just found out that I have a tumor in my L1 vertebrae. I talk to my radiation oncologist tomorrow. I am very interested in the treatment that your friend got for tumors in her spine. You wrote that they used a "specific kind of RFA". Could you get the name of the treatment
Perhaps I can use the same treatment for the tumor in my L1.

Thank you John,
Susan

Annabelle41415

Sorry
So sorry that you didn't get better news. I hope that he is able to do the clinical trial. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kim

nudgie

I am sending
prayers your way.