and the results are in...
JDuke
Member Posts: 438
PET scan showed slight progression of disease in the same area of the pluera as the original thickening. 
I am going to have a consult with the head of the thoracic radiation department at Moffitt, Dr. Craig Stevens. Ideal would be if the area could be radiated because this cancer responds so well to it. We'll see. I made an appointment to see my Onc. at the end of February, unless some rapid deterioration deems it necessary to proceed sooner than that. She was ok with waiting. Said we would have a consult, probably rescan, go over all our options and make a plan. She seems to think that perpetual chemo is my future. My white blood count is pretty low, but red was good. She didn't know what to make of that. Said it was also low at my previous draw, but no one shared that with me. Dr. sitting in for her (she was on maternity leave) said everything looked good. Go figure. She said she was not going to worry about it, but to pay close attention to if I think I have a fever. Then she would be concerned. Everything else on the scan was good, so there was some positive news.
As my friend Julie and I were waiting on the valet to get the car, I said to her "this was not the news I hoping for, but there are many people leaving this facility today that would be happy to have received it". So, I am going to put this on the back burner and concentrate on having a Merry Christmas. The New Year is right around the corner and with it will come a New Plan!!!
Christmas blessings to all of you,
Joanne
I am going to have a consult with the head of the thoracic radiation department at Moffitt, Dr. Craig Stevens. Ideal would be if the area could be radiated because this cancer responds so well to it. We'll see. I made an appointment to see my Onc. at the end of February, unless some rapid deterioration deems it necessary to proceed sooner than that. She was ok with waiting. Said we would have a consult, probably rescan, go over all our options and make a plan. She seems to think that perpetual chemo is my future. My white blood count is pretty low, but red was good. She didn't know what to make of that. Said it was also low at my previous draw, but no one shared that with me. Dr. sitting in for her (she was on maternity leave) said everything looked good. Go figure. She said she was not going to worry about it, but to pay close attention to if I think I have a fever. Then she would be concerned. Everything else on the scan was good, so there was some positive news.As my friend Julie and I were waiting on the valet to get the car, I said to her "this was not the news I hoping for, but there are many people leaving this facility today that would be happy to have received it". So, I am going to put this on the back burner and concentrate on having a Merry Christmas. The New Year is right around the corner and with it will come a New Plan!!!
Christmas blessings to all of you,
Joanne
0
Comments
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Hi Joanne!
Well, I am sorry that you did not get the results you were hoping for. But you have a plan and that's great! I hope you will find out that radiation is possible and that this will be what takes this stuff out once and for all. Perpetual chemo does not sound like fun, but we do what we must to go after this beast. You have a great attitude and that will certainly work in your favor. Please keep us posted about your upcoming consult with Dr. Stevens. For now, focus on the holidays. May you have a very Merry Christmas and may your New Year begin with a plan to get rid of this beast once and for all!
Hugs--
Martha0 -
Joannemp327 said:Hi Joanne!
Well, I am sorry that you did not get the results you were hoping for. But you have a plan and that's great! I hope you will find out that radiation is possible and that this will be what takes this stuff out once and for all. Perpetual chemo does not sound like fun, but we do what we must to go after this beast. You have a great attitude and that will certainly work in your favor. Please keep us posted about your upcoming consult with Dr. Stevens. For now, focus on the holidays. May you have a very Merry Christmas and may your New Year begin with a plan to get rid of this beast once and for all!
Hugs--
Martha
Hi Joanne, It sounds like you'll have a tx plan after the beginning of the new year. i wish there had been better news. I think with the positive attitude you have, eventually that pluera will get back to normal. When you do see your onc, will you ask if the lung vaccine would work in the plurea. Just Monday there was a story on the news about a promising lung vaccine, to treat not prevent lung cancer. It can only be used for the NSCLC. The vaccine somehow uses our immune system to destroy the tumor with a protein. If you google it the info will come up. I actually have put the information I found on the lung cancer board. I go for my next ct scan on 1-17. I will be praying for both of us. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year for both of us. Lori0 -
My Situation Has Been the Pleura.....
Joanne,
Just finished 30 Tx of IMRT radiation to the chest - also carried the 5fu pump in conjunction with this treatment for six weeks, 24 hour a day. Back on Folfiri now, 9 more of those to go, due to finish up late April or early May 2011, if I can hold up.
The radiation treatments just about buried me and really tested me again - I've done them before and they are no easier the 2nd time around. We won't know the results of any of that until a couple of months from now at the next scan. It is tough and will be extremely draining, fatigue and just an overall bad body experience - but this is because you have just "radiation poisoning" - they push you as far as you can go, and then some.
I did not want to do radiation to the lung and said so when I did my DaVinci surgery, but this new tumor had grown to 6cm and was embedded in my rib cage and up against my spinal column...the surgeon could not get clear margins, and thus the radiation and chemo recommendaton.
I know you will be able to do it too and if surgery is not an option, then this is one of those "must do" treatments you just have to endure.
And since you can't change the world or cure cancer in a couple of week, I'm with you on just allowing the holidays to happen and try and get something good from that.
Always following your story - I remember when you 1st appeared on the other board, about a year ago and some change, huh?
Take good care!
-Craig0 -
Not the News
Not the news you wanted, but it sounds like a plan is in place. I agree enjoy your Christmas!0 -
Not the news...grandma2selena said:Not the News
Not the news you wanted, but it sounds like a plan is in place. I agree enjoy your Christmas!
Joanne
Sorry it's not the news we were all hoping for. Praying that Plan B is set in motion and is successful for you. You are strong and I know it must be so hard on you emotionally but onward to the next plan of action.
Hugs,
Liz0 -
Not the news...grandma2selena said:Not the News
Not the news you wanted, but it sounds like a plan is in place. I agree enjoy your Christmas!
Joanne
Sorry it's not the news we were all hoping for. Praying that Plan B is set in motion and is successful for you. You are strong and I know it must be so hard on you emotionally but onward to the next plan of action.
Hugs,
Liz0 -
Thanks Joanne
I was wondering how you were doing. Thanks for the update. I'm a similar case getting a similar treatment. I'm planning to have the best holidays possible with my family and get my 7th and 8th taxol/carbo treatment in Jan with a scan after in FEB. I know that mix helped your liver and it seems to be helping mine. I also have some nodules in the lungs which may be responding.
Merry Christmas to all!
God bless us every one!
TIM0
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