Mom's Ct results - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Janmarie2 · 04-26-2006, 12:14 PM

We saw my mom's doctor yesterday and got the results of last weeks CT. The lung remains unchanged with no tumors seen, just a scar where it had been, no new mets anywhere but it is suggestive of progression in some of the liver mets. They did not give any measurements which they usually do so with the largest mets. I take this to mean there is some possible slight growth ( but I have heard tumors can fluctuate slightly in size too) so they are not 100% sure if they see progression or not so label it as "suggestive of progression." Liver panels are 100% normal so We are viewing this as stable. Yes we would rather hear shrinkage but this far along in the game stable is ok to hear so we will take it. They will keep her on the same chemo for now as she has yet to get all 3 doses in a round and the doctor feels that may account for no shrinkage and if nothing else the chemo she has gotten has either stopped the growth or at least slowed it to a crawl. So on we go with the Taxotere and Gemzar. I have to be honest the last few doses have not left her as fatigued as the first few did even thou she has been anemic!

He did put her on Procrit so now she has to give herself that shot once a week,which is no big deal as she has been doing her own neupogen injections. Overall she is feeling good and is baking cookies today so the boys ( 3 grandsons ) have cookies when they come visit which they frequently do. The 14 yr old is so darn cute as he comes over after school and volleyball gives her a kiss tells her how much he loves her, fills her in on his day and before he leaves she gets another kiss and I love you. I am not sure he even realizes how much that means to her.

I did bring up the HKI 272 to her doctor but he did not even know what it was! I told him it is the next generation of EGFR drugs that they hope will help people that have the EGFR mutation but quit responding to Tarceva or Irressa and that it has begun phase II clinical trials but still he seemed unaware. This is what makes me a little nervous as chemo is what he speciality is yet he often does not seem aware of the new drugs in clinical trial.( and other cancer patients have told us he is the best one at Kaiser..yipes!) The clinical trials for it have an exclusion saying you can not have had more then two chemo agents so I don't think she could get into one,which considering how well the tarceva did work for her is a big bummer.

All of you remain in my thoughts and prayers and I have not said how nice it is to have Tom who can share his knowledge of having a lung nodule that is not cancer but rather is cocci join our group as he gives hope to those just being told they have a lung nodule as thank god it is not always cancer, Thanks Tom! JanMarie

Kimslos · 04-26-2006, 10:47 PM

JanMarie,
So happy to hear that your mom's cancer did not get worse. (well, hard to understand the liver though...but seems okay based on what you read...mets under control so to speak) We always want to hear that all is clear and things are great, but at least the lungs are unchanged! I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers daily. Also, thanks for the info on the books. I have been so busy I have not made it to get the first one so will make it to the bookstore in the next day or two to look at both books. Thanks for sharing the update on your mom's scans. Need to run...see another post to respond to and jump in bed. You take care and give your mom a big hug!
Kim

Janmarie2 · 04-28-2006, 12:04 PM

Thanks Kim, I just want you to know I will be sending extra prayers your way this weekend in hopes that Stan gets some good news with his CT scan. The two of you deserve some good news as you both have been through so much as have too many others here.

My dad now has to get a CT on his chest on May 12th. He went to urgent care last week with chest pain and they did an Ekg and Xray and said it was muscle pain. Then Wed. the doctor called and said there is a bulge in his left lung and he ordered a CT. Since I did not talk to him and the term bulge is not used often I do not know if it is a bulge into the lung like an aortal aneurysem or a bulge out of the lung like a tumor or big bullae? ( which is a big pocket of air created when a group of alveoli , the small air sacks, become one big one, it is seem in emphysema). The pain was on the right side not the left. Anyway now we wait and see what is going on with him and I pray it is nothing serious as I do not think I could deal with it along with my mom's cancer.

My dad is so against doctors and medicine that it would be one difficult ride that is for sure. He has been so grumpy lately but when I talked to him before we learned he needs a CT, he admitted he is afraid my mom will die and about what will happen to him as he knows he is too forgetful to live alone for any long period. I think all his anger is driven by that fear. He was telling me how he tells my mom about alternative cancer treatments he feels she should try but she does not even want to listen. He said I think she wants to die! I told him that she does not want to die but that if she did it would be her choice not his as it is her life and she is the one that has to endure all that comes with any treatment so if and when she says no more that is her choice to make. That is when he got real angry and said "Well I don't want her to die!". Anyway at least I got him to talk about it as I think he needs to do that more. He needs to have a heart to heart talk with her about it as I think that would help alot but as most of us are he is too afraid he will upset her.
Right now I am glad to be home for my weekend of work, not to go to work but to be in my own place where I can set all those issues aside for a few days as working a 12 hr night and sleeping most of the day leaves little time for much else. Well I need to go get some things done . My thoughts and prayers to you all over the weekend and always.JanMariel

tuckygal · 04-28-2006, 06:53 PM

JanMarie, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you take care of your loved ones. I pray you get a blessing each day. Take care of yourself. Love from Ky., Pat

Kimslos · 04-30-2006, 11:02 PM

JanMarie,
I was so numb and completely speechless when I read what your dad is going thru and could possibly have cancer. I guess the only positive thing that happened was that you got your dad to be honest how he feels about his wife...so hard for one to admit your true feelings to others. I think I might be one of those people...I tell people I will be okay and deep down I know I have to be...but completely scared of my husband not being around. My dad was a HUGE believer in alternative medicine and did not like the medical "ins and outs". He was furious that Stan was not following his alternative care plan he had picked out for Stan...he even wrote our friends a letter in November stating the next time he sees Stan it will be at Stan's funeral...and to think my dad died so quickly from cancer after being diagnosed. I do hope and pray that your dad does not have cancer as it appears he could be a handful for you.
I am sure this is so overwhelming for you right now and I bet it is a relief to be at work even though you have to work such long hours.
I hope your week will be a good one and your mind won't be racing too much with all that is going on with your mom and dad.
Thanks for the extra prayers...always can use them. It appears as if Stan is having more pain and it concerns us that the chemo did not do its job. Stan goes on Tuesday for the scans and Thursday gets the results. I am trying to be very positive and know I cannot change whatever the results may be. I will keep you close to my heart and pray that you and your family have a good week.
Kim