A bit of good news about my lung mets

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
in Colorectal Cancer #1

So I have the three spots in my left lung that the PET scan said were cancer mets. My radiologist called this morning to tell me that two are cancer mets and the third one is just a spot. The two that are are very close together so when I get the radiation I'll have less area damaged than anticipated previously. As far as the question I had about the stickers he said they're not a big deal. They only use them for preliminary positioning and then do other things to get the targetted area precise. It's a small thing but it made me happy. He confirmed that nothing else showed up anywhere. I'm starting to feel hopeful again. Maybe after this I can get on with life again.

On the downside my hours are being cut at my job. It's a new dental office that opened in October and we're just not getting enough patients yet. I understand and my boss is a really nice guy but we only work part time to start with so this isn't good. But that's minor. I can find another job. I can't find another life if things go south. Being alive and living well is the most important thing of all. Everything else pales in comparison. I must live long enough to outlive my horse and dogs and see my first grandchild if my daughter ever gets married and has one. I'm starting to think that all this is possible.

Jan

Comments

  • Sharronoffaith
    Sharronoffaith Member Posts: 76
    #2
    you are so positive...that really matters!

    Hi Jan,

    I am glad to hear that things turned out better than you first thought.  Also, that fact that you are feeling comfortable and secure in your care is such a big boost.  I personally had a good response to radiation when it came to the rectal tumor.  There is so much science behind the dose and the focus of the treatment.  So, the sticker thing sounds like it really turned out to be a positive.  I would feel good myself that they were taking more than one look at marking the exact spot.

    Since my cancer diagnosis, I think differently.  Like, when I ride a crowded bus, I think surely there are people on that bus with stuff that they don't know they have.  Sure, we know we have cancer, and it is like a huge weight, but you are getting good treatment.  And, you are a very positive person, and I believe God has a plan for all of us. 

    I guess I wanted mostly to write and say that that does sound like better news that you initially thought.  And, you are such a kind person, and you are always helping others, so please know that all the "others" are rooting for you. 

    Best wishes and prayers

    Sharron

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
    #3
    Sharronoffaith said:

    you are so positive...that really matters!

    Hi Jan,

    I am glad to hear that things turned out better than you first thought.  Also, that fact that you are feeling comfortable and secure in your care is such a big boost.  I personally had a good response to radiation when it came to the rectal tumor.  There is so much science behind the dose and the focus of the treatment.  So, the sticker thing sounds like it really turned out to be a positive.  I would feel good myself that they were taking more than one look at marking the exact spot.

    Since my cancer diagnosis, I think differently.  Like, when I ride a crowded bus, I think surely there are people on that bus with stuff that they don't know they have.  Sure, we know we have cancer, and it is like a huge weight, but you are getting good treatment.  And, you are a very positive person, and I believe God has a plan for all of us. 

    I guess I wanted mostly to write and say that that does sound like better news that you initially thought.  And, you are such a kind person, and you are always helping others, so please know that all the "others" are rooting for you. 

    Best wishes and prayers

    Sharron

     

    Aw, thank you Sarron, you're

    Aw, thank you Sarron, you're so sweet! I remember going through a similar time to what you're describing. For months after my husband and I went to the cancer education seminar and learned that 47% of us will get the diagnosis I thought about that every time I was in a group. Who's next? Who has it but doesn't know it yet? That type of thing. I'd count the number of people and figure out how many would get it. It became a bit of an obsession.

    Jan 

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
    #4
    Zap those spots away!!  Your

    Zap those spots away!!  Your horses, pets and family need you.  Hope you can find another job and carry on with life.

  • GSP2
    GSP2 Member Posts: 103 Member
    #5
    "living well", "I must live"

    you're saying all the right things. I hope they come true.

    Follow your passion.

     

    Steve.

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866
    #6
    Jan

    "I'm starting to think that all this is possible" I agree that it is. Keep on doing what you're doing.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
    #7
    Thank you so much, all of

    Thank you so much, all of you! I got the date for my first appointment today, which is on Feb 29. And I was told I'm getting 2 a week for two weeks for a total of four. Originally he'd said 4 to 8 so that's good news, too. I can't wait to zap those buggers out of there. I hope I don't get the super sensitive sense of smell I had last radiation. That was really unpleasant.

    Jan  

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866
    #8
    JanJan63 said:

    Thank you so much, all of

    Thank you so much, all of you! I got the date for my first appointment today, which is on Feb 29. And I was told I'm getting 2 a week for two weeks for a total of four. Originally he'd said 4 to 8 so that's good news, too. I can't wait to zap those buggers out of there. I hope I don't get the super sensitive sense of smell I had last radiation. That was really unpleasant.

    Jan  

    Sense of smell

    Mine has improved as well. It's not a good thing on crowded elevators!

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409
    #9
    So glad

    The  news was better than you expected, and that  the radiation area  will not be as extensive as you first thought.  I'm hoping you breeze through the   treatment  and that if you do get a heightened sense of smell all the smells are good ones. But as I recall, even a good smell can be bad in excess; after touring the Hershey  chocolate plant as a teenager I couldn't  stand the  smell of chocolate for a loooong time! Laughing

    Grace/lizard44

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,223 Member
    #10
    You have stage 4 cancer, why

    You have stage 4 cancer, why don't you qualify for disability? I wish I could help figure out what can be done to help, Jan, but I know I don't know enough to offer good advice, so all I can do is hope and wish for a good result.............................Dave

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
    #11
    PhillieG said:

    Sense of smell

    Mine has improved as well. It's not a good thing on crowded elevators!

    After the radiation it went

    After the radiation it went back to normal but it was nasty during the treatments and for a few weeks after. I remember my sheets smelling not only overwhelmingly perfumy but even oily. Yuck. Makes me wonder if that's what it's like for dogs all the time.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
    #12
    lizard44 said:

    So glad

    The  news was better than you expected, and that  the radiation area  will not be as extensive as you first thought.  I'm hoping you breeze through the   treatment  and that if you do get a heightened sense of smell all the smells are good ones. But as I recall, even a good smell can be bad in excess; after touring the Hershey  chocolate plant as a teenager I couldn't  stand the  smell of chocolate for a loooong time! Laughing

    Grace/lizard44

    Ugh, I hear you. I can't

    Ugh, I hear you. I can't stand going past those shops that sell chocolates they've made right there. It's nasty.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478
    #13
    beaumontdave said:

    You have stage 4 cancer, why

    You have stage 4 cancer, why don't you qualify for disability? I wish I could help figure out what can be done to help, Jan, but I know I don't know enough to offer good advice, so all I can do is hope and wish for a good result.............................Dave

    That's something I haven't

    That's something I haven't checked into. We live in Canada and I don't know the rules. I do know that after I had my blood clot and was in the hospital for months a social services person came by and she said it takes about 9 months to get that kind of financial supplement. Plus it would be just a portion of what I'm making now. And I can work, certainly after the radiation is over.

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773
    #14
    glad to hear you're looking forward

    Jan - We all know how tough it is to stay positive.  I'm glad the news is better this time and I really hope the radiation does the trick so you can get on with life!  Best wishes, traci

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