LINDA WHAT'S THE LATEST ON TESTS RESULTS

nempark

Hope you are doing very well. Continue being a wonderful member of this board. I read some stuff the other day that was just so silly. You are great, informative and super smart. May our Great God grant you even more wisdom to continue your journey with grace and dignity. Enjoy your family and may God bless them also to be continuously supportive. June

lindaprocopio

Thanks so much, June. The tests continue; I feel like a lab rat!
I posted most of this on-going saga on the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board since so many women there have personal experience with the tests and treatments that my medical team is looking at for me. Friday I was to have parasentesis of the ascites I have, but the sonogram tech were unable to find a safe entry point he could just 'mark' with a 'X' and send me over to oncology to do the procedure. The test needs to be re-ordered so that the parasentesis can now be done with real-time sonogram or CT guidance, where they can see exactly what they're doing. (Parasentesis is when they insert a long needle and draw out the ascites fluid for testing and to relieve the pressure.) Although my belly still looks huge to me, it doesn't seem to look that awful to my medical team. They put me on 80 mg. daily of water pills (Aldacone & Lasix) and I slept better last night so I'm hoping that means the water pills have started relieving the pressure, and I see my oncologist again Thursday to see if the sonogram-guided paracentesis is still needed. Because Lasix robs the body of potassium, I've been prescribed 6 potassium pills (Klor-Con M10) daily.

I had an extensive abdominal ultrasound last week that showed that all of my blood vessels and arteries are wide open and functioning normally; and that my bile duct is not blocked or being pressed on by a tumor or anything. The main finding with that is that my gall bladder has thick walls and is sludgy inside with bile, possibly unrelated to my cancer. Maybe I just need my gall bladder out??

I had blood labs 3 times last week, a testament to how closely they are monitoring me now. Although my bilirubin went up to 4.8 (, most of my other labs showed improvement, with platelets climbing to 75, WBC & RBC normal again, albumin getting close to normal. I can see my body trying to heal itself and I'm hoping a lot of this is still the inlammation from the rdioembolism I had in late August. Thursday I go in for labs again and to see my oncologist. Following that, I am going to have an endoscopic ultrasound. They knock you out for that test, and have the ability to go in with stents and a camera, do biopsies, lots of stuff.

So lots of tests, no treatment plan.

Songflower

lindaprocopio said:

Thanks so much, June. The tests continue; I feel like a lab rat!
I posted most of this on-going saga on the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board since so many women there have personal experience with the tests and treatments that my medical team is looking at for me. Friday I was to have parasentesis of the ascites I have, but the sonogram tech were unable to find a safe entry point he could just 'mark' with a 'X' and send me over to oncology to do the procedure. The test needs to be re-ordered so that the parasentesis can now be done with real-time sonogram or CT guidance, where they can see exactly what they're doing. (Parasentesis is when they insert a long needle and draw out the ascites fluid for testing and to relieve the pressure.) Although my belly still looks huge to me, it doesn't seem to look that awful to my medical team. They put me on 80 mg. daily of water pills (Aldacone & Lasix) and I slept better last night so I'm hoping that means the water pills have started relieving the pressure, and I see my oncologist again Thursday to see if the sonogram-guided paracentesis is still needed. Because Lasix robs the body of potassium, I've been prescribed 6 potassium pills (Klor-Con M10) daily.

I had an extensive abdominal ultrasound last week that showed that all of my blood vessels and arteries are wide open and functioning normally; and that my bile duct is not blocked or being pressed on by a tumor or anything. The main finding with that is that my gall bladder has thick walls and is sludgy inside with bile, possibly unrelated to my cancer. Maybe I just need my gall bladder out??

I had blood labs 3 times last week, a testament to how closely they are monitoring me now. Although my bilirubin went up to 4.8 (, most of my other labs showed improvement, with platelets climbing to 75, WBC & RBC normal again, albumin getting close to normal. I can see my body trying to heal itself and I'm hoping a lot of this is still the inlammation from the rdioembolism I had in late August. Thursday I go in for labs again and to see my oncologist. Following that, I am going to have an endoscopic ultrasound. They knock you out for that test, and have the ability to go in with stents and a camera, do biopsies, lots of stuff.

So lots of tests, no treatment plan.

Hang in There
I had a thoracentesis and it was ultrasound guideded in radiology. I didn't feel any pain. I have a pleural effusion again and I am going to surgery to have the part of my left lung (pasted) I can't remember the real word. If that doesn't work I will have a tube put in. All of these things happening so fast I feel maybe there's not much time left. I feel OK despite the blood clot but I just don't know. I do well on the gemzar. I am just behind you Linda in tests. I sometimes think they wear me down more emotionally than physically.

I love the autumn weather and a good nap every day.

Diane

nempark

lindaprocopio said:

Thanks so much, June. The tests continue; I feel like a lab rat!
I posted most of this on-going saga on the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board since so many women there have personal experience with the tests and treatments that my medical team is looking at for me. Friday I was to have parasentesis of the ascites I have, but the sonogram tech were unable to find a safe entry point he could just 'mark' with a 'X' and send me over to oncology to do the procedure. The test needs to be re-ordered so that the parasentesis can now be done with real-time sonogram or CT guidance, where they can see exactly what they're doing. (Parasentesis is when they insert a long needle and draw out the ascites fluid for testing and to relieve the pressure.) Although my belly still looks huge to me, it doesn't seem to look that awful to my medical team. They put me on 80 mg. daily of water pills (Aldacone & Lasix) and I slept better last night so I'm hoping that means the water pills have started relieving the pressure, and I see my oncologist again Thursday to see if the sonogram-guided paracentesis is still needed. Because Lasix robs the body of potassium, I've been prescribed 6 potassium pills (Klor-Con M10) daily.

I had an extensive abdominal ultrasound last week that showed that all of my blood vessels and arteries are wide open and functioning normally; and that my bile duct is not blocked or being pressed on by a tumor or anything. The main finding with that is that my gall bladder has thick walls and is sludgy inside with bile, possibly unrelated to my cancer. Maybe I just need my gall bladder out??

I had blood labs 3 times last week, a testament to how closely they are monitoring me now. Although my bilirubin went up to 4.8 (, most of my other labs showed improvement, with platelets climbing to 75, WBC & RBC normal again, albumin getting close to normal. I can see my body trying to heal itself and I'm hoping a lot of this is still the inlammation from the rdioembolism I had in late August. Thursday I go in for labs again and to see my oncologist. Following that, I am going to have an endoscopic ultrasound. They knock you out for that test, and have the ability to go in with stents and a camera, do biopsies, lots of stuff.

So lots of tests, no treatment plan.

Diane and Linda
Thank you for the update. Bravely carry on. Love to all June

nempark

lindaprocopio said:

Thanks so much, June. The tests continue; I feel like a lab rat!
I posted most of this on-going saga on the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board since so many women there have personal experience with the tests and treatments that my medical team is looking at for me. Friday I was to have parasentesis of the ascites I have, but the sonogram tech were unable to find a safe entry point he could just 'mark' with a 'X' and send me over to oncology to do the procedure. The test needs to be re-ordered so that the parasentesis can now be done with real-time sonogram or CT guidance, where they can see exactly what they're doing. (Parasentesis is when they insert a long needle and draw out the ascites fluid for testing and to relieve the pressure.) Although my belly still looks huge to me, it doesn't seem to look that awful to my medical team. They put me on 80 mg. daily of water pills (Aldacone & Lasix) and I slept better last night so I'm hoping that means the water pills have started relieving the pressure, and I see my oncologist again Thursday to see if the sonogram-guided paracentesis is still needed. Because Lasix robs the body of potassium, I've been prescribed 6 potassium pills (Klor-Con M10) daily.

I had an extensive abdominal ultrasound last week that showed that all of my blood vessels and arteries are wide open and functioning normally; and that my bile duct is not blocked or being pressed on by a tumor or anything. The main finding with that is that my gall bladder has thick walls and is sludgy inside with bile, possibly unrelated to my cancer. Maybe I just need my gall bladder out??

I had blood labs 3 times last week, a testament to how closely they are monitoring me now. Although my bilirubin went up to 4.8 (, most of my other labs showed improvement, with platelets climbing to 75, WBC & RBC normal again, albumin getting close to normal. I can see my body trying to heal itself and I'm hoping a lot of this is still the inlammation from the rdioembolism I had in late August. Thursday I go in for labs again and to see my oncologist. Following that, I am going to have an endoscopic ultrasound. They knock you out for that test, and have the ability to go in with stents and a camera, do biopsies, lots of stuff.

So lots of tests, no treatment plan.

Diane and Linda -
Thanks for the update. Bravely press on. Love you all! June

carolenk

nempark said:

Diane and Linda -
Thanks for the update. Bravely press on. Love you all! June

Patience is a virtue
Linda

I have a good feeling about you after reading your most recent update. Think of trying yo pour rice down a funnel & you will have an idea of what's going on in your gall bladder. You have a "functional obstruction." Even though the bile duct is clear, very little is passing thru your gall bladder. Nice you hear your platelets are coming up, too.

I would push for surgery sooner rather than later. That might be laproscopic surgery. You'll be back on your feet in no time.

(((hugs)))

carolenk

nempark said:

Diane and Linda -
Thanks for the update. Bravely press on. Love you all! June

Oops!
Double post.

nancygt

lindaprocopio said:

Thanks so much, June. The tests continue; I feel like a lab rat!
I posted most of this on-going saga on the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board since so many women there have personal experience with the tests and treatments that my medical team is looking at for me. Friday I was to have parasentesis of the ascites I have, but the sonogram tech were unable to find a safe entry point he could just 'mark' with a 'X' and send me over to oncology to do the procedure. The test needs to be re-ordered so that the parasentesis can now be done with real-time sonogram or CT guidance, where they can see exactly what they're doing. (Parasentesis is when they insert a long needle and draw out the ascites fluid for testing and to relieve the pressure.) Although my belly still looks huge to me, it doesn't seem to look that awful to my medical team. They put me on 80 mg. daily of water pills (Aldacone & Lasix) and I slept better last night so I'm hoping that means the water pills have started relieving the pressure, and I see my oncologist again Thursday to see if the sonogram-guided paracentesis is still needed. Because Lasix robs the body of potassium, I've been prescribed 6 potassium pills (Klor-Con M10) daily.

I had an extensive abdominal ultrasound last week that showed that all of my blood vessels and arteries are wide open and functioning normally; and that my bile duct is not blocked or being pressed on by a tumor or anything. The main finding with that is that my gall bladder has thick walls and is sludgy inside with bile, possibly unrelated to my cancer. Maybe I just need my gall bladder out??

I had blood labs 3 times last week, a testament to how closely they are monitoring me now. Although my bilirubin went up to 4.8 (, most of my other labs showed improvement, with platelets climbing to 75, WBC & RBC normal again, albumin getting close to normal. I can see my body trying to heal itself and I'm hoping a lot of this is still the inlammation from the rdioembolism I had in late August. Thursday I go in for labs again and to see my oncologist. Following that, I am going to have an endoscopic ultrasound. They knock you out for that test, and have the ability to go in with stents and a camera, do biopsies, lots of stuff.

So lots of tests, no treatment plan.

gall bladder
Know what you mean about how exhausting the tests can be-hope you get a plan soon.
Just wanted to add my two cents worth. My docs knew I had a gallstone and each CT scan for the cancer showed it getting larger.After end of last chemo, pain in right side of back got intense-I had never asked for painkillers durng any of this cancer stuff but I needed them then. Of course i was terrified as my tumors remaining are near base of lungs. But my regular GP did ultrasound and said the stone was shifting around and sent me to surgeon. He immediately called my onc and said it needed to go. And apparently it was good time as blood counts were starting to improve. Both red and white counts got to just below normal day of surgery, they removed it laparascopically and I even got to home that day. No more gall bladder pain, chronic diarrhea has improved although I am still learning foods to avoid.While it is not my perfect plan for "vacation" period from chemo, surgery was no problem and I bounced back in several days.
Hope you get some relief soon- we need you here as you are both a true inspiration and wonderful source of information.