More Tests

Pennymac02
Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Today: Blood tests, meeting with the oncologist, Tomorrow: Follow up CT scan to the embolization. We won't know the results of the scan until probably next week at the earliest. God, I dread going into the "no answers, don't know anything, hurry up and wait" phase again. Hopefully the tumor has started to shrink, but since he's too sick for any chemo, the radiologist says only a 50-50 chance that the bland embolization will have helped. He certainly has felt worse since the procedure. Is it because the cancer is dying or because the cancer is growing?

UGH!! Just for today, just for today, just for today.....

Comments

  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #2
    Just Today
    Penny, all you have to do is get through today.
    Worry about getting through tomorrow, tomorrow.

    You can do it.
  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #3
    kimmygarland said:

    Just Today
    Penny, all you have to do is get through today.
    Worry about getting through tomorrow, tomorrow.

    You can do it.

    Next week
    Thanks Kimmy
    Got through the majority of the day--just dinner and bed left. The oncologist seemed very knowledgable and sympathetic about the lack of communication from the VA. She couldn't tell us much, though, since they scheduled a consult with her BEFORE the tests were done. Duh. Basically her goal is to keep the HCC from growing too fast so Mike can wait on the transplant list as long as neccessary, which may be as long as an additional 2 years. No staging available, no information on whether the cancer has mets, no AFP level on the previous blood tests. Just the hope that she'll be able to give us some better information next week. I'm actually more okay with that than I thought I'd be. I find that if I don't go into the doctors appointments with expectations, I'm not as dissapointed. I do feel completely exhausted, though. NEED CHOCOLATE.....
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #4
    Pennymac02 said:

    Next week
    Thanks Kimmy
    Got through the majority of the day--just dinner and bed left. The oncologist seemed very knowledgable and sympathetic about the lack of communication from the VA. She couldn't tell us much, though, since they scheduled a consult with her BEFORE the tests were done. Duh. Basically her goal is to keep the HCC from growing too fast so Mike can wait on the transplant list as long as neccessary, which may be as long as an additional 2 years. No staging available, no information on whether the cancer has mets, no AFP level on the previous blood tests. Just the hope that she'll be able to give us some better information next week. I'm actually more okay with that than I thought I'd be. I find that if I don't go into the doctors appointments with expectations, I'm not as dissapointed. I do feel completely exhausted, though. NEED CHOCOLATE.....

    Fatigue and chocolate
    Penny, I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. It is hard watching, I know.

    You are in our prayers and good thoughts and lots of hugs are coming your way.

    Now, go crawl in bed, take a chocolate bar with you and have a "me moment". We all NEED those.
  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #5
    Pennymac02 said:

    Next week
    Thanks Kimmy
    Got through the majority of the day--just dinner and bed left. The oncologist seemed very knowledgable and sympathetic about the lack of communication from the VA. She couldn't tell us much, though, since they scheduled a consult with her BEFORE the tests were done. Duh. Basically her goal is to keep the HCC from growing too fast so Mike can wait on the transplant list as long as neccessary, which may be as long as an additional 2 years. No staging available, no information on whether the cancer has mets, no AFP level on the previous blood tests. Just the hope that she'll be able to give us some better information next week. I'm actually more okay with that than I thought I'd be. I find that if I don't go into the doctors appointments with expectations, I'm not as dissapointed. I do feel completely exhausted, though. NEED CHOCOLATE.....

    The doctor called
    The oncologist called at 8:00 tonight. The radiologist didn't complete report on the contrast report of the scan, so no word on mets yet. AFP level is down which is good; the tumor has remained the same size, which is not good. But it hasn't grown, either. I'll take it as a neutral report; I was just hoping for something a little more positive.
    Penny
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #6
    Pennymac02 said:

    The doctor called
    The oncologist called at 8:00 tonight. The radiologist didn't complete report on the contrast report of the scan, so no word on mets yet. AFP level is down which is good; the tumor has remained the same size, which is not good. But it hasn't grown, either. I'll take it as a neutral report; I was just hoping for something a little more positive.
    Penny

    Our little boat
    Seams like we are in the same boat the waiting worrying one. I want you to know I am so thinking of you . I am hoping that there will be good news for you. I hate the hurry up and wait game. I never liked that at all!
    Know you are in my thoughts
    Jennie
  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #7
    Pennymac02 said:

    The doctor called
    The oncologist called at 8:00 tonight. The radiologist didn't complete report on the contrast report of the scan, so no word on mets yet. AFP level is down which is good; the tumor has remained the same size, which is not good. But it hasn't grown, either. I'll take it as a neutral report; I was just hoping for something a little more positive.
    Penny

    Another Tuesday Onc call
    The cancer has NOT spread outside of the liver. It is showing up in at least one other area of the liver and the original 4 cm tumor still shows active cancer. They want to schedule another embolization in the next few weeks.

    Tomorrow he goes for a stress test to measure how he'll do if he makes the transplant list. He's really dreading it; from what I hear, they are definately no fun!Thank God I have spent the last three weeks getting meds. therapy, and generally taking care of myself better. Looks like Mike's in for another round of treatments.
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #8
    Pennymac02 said:

    Another Tuesday Onc call
    The cancer has NOT spread outside of the liver. It is showing up in at least one other area of the liver and the original 4 cm tumor still shows active cancer. They want to schedule another embolization in the next few weeks.

    Tomorrow he goes for a stress test to measure how he'll do if he makes the transplant list. He's really dreading it; from what I hear, they are definately no fun!Thank God I have spent the last three weeks getting meds. therapy, and generally taking care of myself better. Looks like Mike's in for another round of treatments.

    Prayers
    My prayers are with you both. Your roller coaster ride continues. Think good thoughts. It is amazing what doctors can do these days. Fay

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