mixed PET results & question re radiation for bone mets

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Brief background: I'm on Xeliri + Avastin for bone mets. Done 16 cycles so far and side effects not too bad.

I had a PET scan yesterday and got the results today. Mixed news. The good news is that the pre-existing mets have ALL shrunk further -- and one has disappeared completely. So, the chemo is still working. (Also, still no "visceral" involvement ie lung, kidney, liver - yea).

The not-so-good news is that I have two new bone mets. My oncologist said it is not unusual to have some mets disappearing while others appear -- because the chemo is designed to "mutate" the cancer (not his exact words -- but something to that effect).

He is planning to zap the two new mets with radiation. Some fancy radiation machine -- he'll chose either IMRT or Tomography. Probably 15 zaps (ie 5 days a week for 3 weeks).

I am concentrating on counting my blessings, which include: I'm blessed to get the results the day after the scan (and for that Xanax last night!); I'm blessed to have an oncologist whom I consider to be wonderful and wise; I'm blessed to have treatment options available which my oncologist has confidence in.

I've had radiation previously, for my original rectal tumour. I am prepared for fatigue. Would be grateful to hear from anyone who has had radiation for bone mets regarding your experiences, side effects. I'm especially interested in skin reaction (can't possibly be as bad as when my nether regions were fried! - ouch! still vivid memories of that....).

BTW my bone mets are totally asymptomatic -- I'm still doing yoga, and other exercise. Can't hike because of the xeloda (feet) but I've just taken up rowing (machine) - loving it!

Tara

Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
    I like
    Tara,

    I like how you are counting your blessings - we all need to do that. I am also impressed that you are exercising; I have been thinking about trying to do some yoga too. I am happy to hear your existing mets have shrunk, + sorry to hear about the new two. You have the right attitude!
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #3
    Blessings are good
    So glad you're counting your blessings, and I hope the future will hold only excellent results.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #4
    Hi Tara , don't have experience in bone mets but
    i got 35 day of radiation in my lymph nodes , they radiate through the stomach and trough my
    ribs , no major side effects! no burned skin , just some tiredness last weeks but manageable.
    Hope it helps.
    Hugs.
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #5
    pepebcn said:

    Hi Tara , don't have experience in bone mets but
    i got 35 day of radiation in my lymph nodes , they radiate through the stomach and trough my
    ribs , no major side effects! no burned skin , just some tiredness last weeks but manageable.
    Hope it helps.
    Hugs.

    Just a thought
    Hi Tara....

    You speaking of the bone mets made me think of Robinvan. I know that he no longer posts here(I sure miss his smiling face)but if I recall he had sacral mets and I think he was receiving radiation. I know he has a caring bridge site. I havent checked in on him since November but I think it is rob-pollock.blogspot.com??? Such a great guy...Im sure he would share his experiences.

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #6
    dmdwins said:

    Just a thought
    Hi Tara....

    You speaking of the bone mets made me think of Robinvan. I know that he no longer posts here(I sure miss his smiling face)but if I recall he had sacral mets and I think he was receiving radiation. I know he has a caring bridge site. I havent checked in on him since November but I think it is rob-pollock.blogspot.com??? Such a great guy...Im sure he would share his experiences.

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Smiles,
    Dawn

    Dawn:
    I, also, follow Rob's blogs. He has not updated since December 23rd and that is unusual for him. He has been going through a very difficult time with bone mets to his sacrum for quite some time. He was able to get fixed up enough to walk his daughter down the aisle in October and posted a video and pictures of the joyous occasion. He was also talking about surgery so maybe that is why he has not updated. He did post a thank you for the Christmas cards not too long ago and listed the names of his blogs.

    Take care - Tina
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #7
    Tara:
    It sounds like a pretty good report to me. Things are being kept in check and the chemo is working so stay the course. Sounds like your onc is on top of things and has a plan of action in place and is thinking ahead and that is good.

    Best wishes - Tina
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #8
    sending hugs
    Tara,

    I am sending positive vibes and hugs to you. You consistently amaze me. Your positive attitude will continue to get you through this. I don't have any advice on the bone radiation, hopefully someone will respond that has had it.

    Maureen
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #9
    sending hugs
    Tara,

    I am sending positive vibes and hugs to you. You consistently amaze me. Your positive attitude will continue to get you through this. I don't have any advice on the bone radiation, hopefully someone will respond that has had it.

    Maureen
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #10
    sending hugs
    Tara,

    I am sending positive vibes and hugs to you. You consistently amaze me. Your positive attitude will continue to get you through this. I don't have any advice on the bone radiation, hopefully someone will respond that has had it.

    Maureen
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #11
    pepebcn said:

    Hi Tara , don't have experience in bone mets but
    i got 35 day of radiation in my lymph nodes , they radiate through the stomach and trough my
    ribs , no major side effects! no burned skin , just some tiredness last weeks but manageable.
    Hope it helps.
    Hugs.

    thanks
    Thanks, Pepe -- this is good news for me to hear. It helps!

    Hugs back to you -- Tara
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #12
    geotina said:

    Dawn:
    I, also, follow Rob's blogs. He has not updated since December 23rd and that is unusual for him. He has been going through a very difficult time with bone mets to his sacrum for quite some time. He was able to get fixed up enough to walk his daughter down the aisle in October and posted a video and pictures of the joyous occasion. He was also talking about surgery so maybe that is why he has not updated. He did post a thank you for the Christmas cards not too long ago and listed the names of his blogs.

    Take care - Tina

    thanks
    Thanks Dawn and Tina. I will definitely try to check in with Rob -- I miss him here, too! and hope he is doing OK.....I feel very fortunate not have any symptoms yet from my bone mets -- but us bone met folk gotta stick together!!

    Tara
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #13
    geotina said:

    Dawn:
    I, also, follow Rob's blogs. He has not updated since December 23rd and that is unusual for him. He has been going through a very difficult time with bone mets to his sacrum for quite some time. He was able to get fixed up enough to walk his daughter down the aisle in October and posted a video and pictures of the joyous occasion. He was also talking about surgery so maybe that is why he has not updated. He did post a thank you for the Christmas cards not too long ago and listed the names of his blogs.

    Take care - Tina

    Thanks Tina
    I need to check in on him.....I really miss his bald,smiling face! I did know that he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle (what a blessing) and saw some beautiful pictures.
    I pray that all is okay with him. Thanks for letting me know.

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #14
    Moesimo said:

    sending hugs
    Tara,

    I am sending positive vibes and hugs to you. You consistently amaze me. Your positive attitude will continue to get you through this. I don't have any advice on the bone radiation, hopefully someone will respond that has had it.

    Maureen

    Thank you

    thank you, dear friend. I just keeping one foot in front of the other! as we all do.

    Thanks for your continuing friendship and support
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #15
    mostly good
    Hi Tara,

    Well, it really is mostly good news! That's wonderful that all of the already existing mets have shrunk & the one actually disappeared!!
    I know it would be disheartening to me too to have the new bone mets appear at the same time others have just shrunken, but there is a plan & sounds like they'll be zapped out of there soon!
    I'm glad you are still able to see the positive and have an overall good attitude.
    You keep plugging away, girl!

    Hugs and prayers,
    Lisa

Discussion Boards