Update on Bud - Cancer: Lung Message Board

rockie · 04-20-2006, 01:54 PM

Well cyber-family, we got the results from the last CT. The cancer keeps on growing, just about taken over the left lung, inside and out. Now more lymph nodes are enlarged and the doctor was truthful, there is almost certain that there is malignancy in the nodes now (because of their size and number). He is off of the Alimta and goig back to the first set of chemo they had him on, the one that showed good progress...Carboplatin and Gemzar, and along with Avastin -- making this the 5th line. The Dr hopes since it's been a while that the tumors have seen this combo, there is a chance we can get it again. Although the right lung is completely clear, it has become painfully obvious that if this last attempt to slow it or shrink it fails, there is nothing more they can do for my hubby. That being said, he was given 3-5 months if in 6 weeks the CT shows no progress with the eventual withdrawl from treatment. So, it is with a heavy heart that I send this your way, always praying and hoping and sending love your way.

Jan

Kimslos · 04-20-2006, 03:50 PM

Oh my Dear Jan,
I have tears flowing after reading your posting....it feels like I know Bud and how heartbreaking. I do hope and pray that his body can respond well to the next round of chemo. I cannot even imagine how you feel and so sorry it was not good news. I wish I could say something to cheer you up and make your day a little happier. Please write whenever you are having a tough day and I will try to check the board daily. Stan gets his scans on May 2nd and guess we will get the results on the 4th or 5th if he does not land himself in the hospital before then since he refuses to take care of his blood sugar that is out of control! They once again lectured him this afternoon that he can go into diabetic coma so we will see if he does the injection this evening. Your heart just breaks for anyone battling this terrible disease! (or any disease!) I hope Bud can keep his spirits up and what a fighter you have! I know he is fighting to be with you and you never know what can happen...always holding out for that miracle. Stay strong my friend,
Kim

tuckygal · 04-20-2006, 05:07 PM

Jan, my heart breaks for you and Bud. I pray that he will again respond to the other chemo. If he doesn't respond please know that you are not alone. I know there are so many prayers coming your way. God bless you. Love from Ky., Pat

Janmarie2 · 04-21-2006, 02:10 AM

Jan, My heart also breaks for you and Bud as I too feel I know you both. When I first read your post I was getting ready to go get my teeth cleaned so walked in there with tears rolling down my face and they all thought something had happened to my mom. My dentist and his staff have all been alot of support as they really are a great group and get to know their patients well thus have been aware of what is going on in my life. Anyway I sat there all weepey as she cleaned my teeth and even the new chocolate flavored tooth polish followed by mint floss ( so yea sort of like York pepperminet patty) didn't cheer me up.

Later I found it weird how some one had dug up my post of bad news back from Jan. where my mom's CT also showed progression and she was not sure if she would do more chemo, and that it posted right under your post. So I reread it and all the pain I felt when I wrote it and thought that must be what you are dealing with right now. I wish I could say it will get better and that by saying it it would come true but I know things do not work that way. Tuesday we get the results of my mom's CT so will learn if this chemo has done any thing or if we are in the same place we were back in Jan. It is just so hard. My mom like Bud is on her last chemo or so that is what we have been told.

I have decided I need to start preparing myself for the day we are told that is all that can be done....could be next week, could be months from now we shall see. Anyway I am reading a book called Final Gifts it is written by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelly who have done alot of work in hospice. It is about understanding the specaial awareness needs and communtiactions of the dying..very interesting book,sad tear jerking at times as they use stories of people they worked with and death is always sad but it is also enlightening. I am beginning to see death quite differently by reading the messages that people in a near death awareness have left. I really recommend it . A family member of a patient I have known for along time that is now near death recommended the book to me so I will pass it along to all of you.

Jan, I will keep you and Bud in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this chemo can do some good again.Sending you both love from California, would also send a shoulder to cry on if I could, JanMarie

gnik · 04-22-2006, 01:46 PM

Jan, I am so sorry to read your news about your hubby. It must be traumatic to have to stand by feeling and being so helpless. I suppose about all we can do is to support them and love them. Prayers coming your way.

linda/gnik