PET Scan results **UPDATED**

I'll just be chiming in repeating the others. Don't give up and check with other surgeons, over two years ago I was turned down by two cancer boards and things were bleak, but my onc and I persevered and had my surgery December of 2010, and am still in the fight.

Keep looking, keep fighting good sir!!

Winter Marie

Up

Doc_Hawk said:

New CEA and referal

I finally got my new CEA this afternoon and it had a slight increase to 1982.4 which is actually sort of good.  It means that the cancer is slowing and hopefully next time there will be a decrease.  I also have a referal for a surgeon in the University of Utah to see about cutting out the tumors in my liver.  I'll also see a surgeon closer to home about it as well as a possible cut and stretch of the anal muscles which feels like it's going into spasm again.  I've been having a lot of pain down there recently and it's feeling very similar to what happened two years ago.

 

Hugs to all and thanks for the prayers and warm words

 

Ray/Doc

Both the plan and you sound more positive. It is amazing what a few days digestion and review of results does.

Steve

Glad that the levels are leveling off.  Hope that all goes with the appointments for surgery.  Maybe they can give you some type of sypository for the pain you are having.  Praying for you.

Kim

Doc_Hawk said:

Pain

The last thing I want to do is put anything up the sore spot.  It hurts bad enough when I wipe after a BM.  This happened before and the surgeon had to cut and stretch the muscle.  I'm pretty sure it's the same thing that happened then but there's no way I'm going to let it get as bad as it was before.  By the time I finally went to see the doc about it then, going to the bathroom was one of the worst pains I've ever felt.

I've had that terrible pain with the anus.  I'd cry going to the bathroom and just wish it wouldn't happen, but there is a small steroid that you can insert that might help the pain.  Please ask your doctor.  Going to the bathroom or even sitting was the worst thing ever for me and no one knows how bad it feels.  I'd stand up when going out to eat for 24 months due to radiation damage and the tumor.  Don't let it get bad, you don't need that pain.  I've been there, wish someone would have helped me back then too.  Just take my suggestions to heart and ask your doctor.  You shouldn't be in that much pain - but then again I'm feeling your pain from before too.  Thinking of you.

Kim

wolfen said:

Ray

So sorry to hear of all your recent setbacks, and hope that you pain can be eradicated soon.

Glad that someone at University of Utah may be able to do the surgery. If that doesn't work out, please remember that we have MDA Anderson and Mayo in the Phoenix Metro area, as well as CCTA. I don't know if you're north or south of Salt Lake, but I saw a couple of organizations online that will actually fly cancer patients to & from treatment.

Bets Of Luck.

Luv,

Wolfen

glad you got some encouraging news! stay strong!

hugs

judy

Doc_Hawk said:

Liver Mets

I met with a surgeon at the University of Utah cancer center today.  He didn't have the images from my latest PET Scan but he has requested them.  Once he's able to see how much of my liver he'd have to take out he'll decide if I can have surgery yet or not.  Most likely we're going to let the new round of Oxy and Avastin do their work and see how tings look in March.

I know that liver surgery is a pretty big deal, can someone give me an idea of about how much down time I can expect to have if they do perform a resection?

 

Liver surgery is really different for everyone I think, from what I've heard on here.

I had same day surgery of liver, colon and ureter resections which took over 9 hours and three different surgeons.   I left the hospital 7 days later (a lot leave in 5 or 6 days).  Was walking around the block the next day after getting out (I used a walker, so I could sit and rest) and kept walking all that week.  The 3rd week, I was sweeping, vacuuming, washing and drying clothes, doing the dishes, etc., and had stopped taking pain pills (I think I only took them a couple of days at home, if memory serves right).  For some of us it was pretty easy, for others it was weeks, so hard to tell you.  I do know they said when I go in for the next liver surgery it will take a lot longer to recover, why this is, I don't know.

Wish there was a one fits all, and it was the easy recovery, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way.  Let's keep our fingers crossed you get the surgery and have an easy recovery from it.   Will be hoping to hear you get your liver surgery in March!!!

Winter Marie