TomR4th

Hello..Hope all are having a good day.. Three days after a shot of Neulasta I received one of the most severe pains in my lower back from center of the pelvis to the tail bone accompanied by nausea..The said to be ready for mild bone pain but this was the worst I can remember (& I've been banged around pretty good in the war, etc).. Anyway this lasted about three days & I took pain killers every three hours day & night..I'll know better next tome (this Friday).. Does anyone have thoght or comments on this drug? God Bless, Tom

Thank you Kasey..They are setting up 4 treatment sessions three weeks apart (all on Friday)..Then each Monday back for a shot & then 10 days after each shot a quick visit with the oncologist.. I was extremely impressed with the facilities & the concern & professionalism of the staff.. I consider myself lucky in this whole endeavor (with the exception of the diagnosis) & having friends & supporters like you.. Tom

I had chemo today for the first time - Taxol & Carboplaton - Time of session was about 5 hours.. They gave me a bunch of pre & post treatment medications..I go back this Monday for a shot to build up the white cells.. This is only day one & so far so good - only mild nausea that I fought off..Someone said that you might get a reaction several days after.. The hair is going to go from the taxol (no big deal) but I might beat it to the punch by having the barber take it off next week..something tells me that it would be pschologically better to control it myself..who knows? God Bess! Tom

* Just returned from the oncologist & he is recommending an adjucant treatment plan * Taxol & Carboplaxin every three weeks for 4 treatments..(please pardon any typos as I'm reading his notes * It appears as if the lymph nodes are clear after the surgery to remove the tumors * They recommend this treatment to increase the odds against recurrance.. Can anyone share their opinions on this treatment & any experiences pto or con? Thank you & God Bless.. Tom

Thanks for your question..I was surprised when the doctor mentioned that this was stage 4..Although the conversation went quickly.. I think because there are two very similiar masses..he feels that one came from the other..We are still very preliminary in treatment & I'm trying to get to know as much as possible about this condition..God Bless.. Tom

- It looks as if they got everything as the lymph nodes, etc.are clear.. - Dr. said results were great but that further treatment is needed as this was a stage 4 cancer.. - I am afraid to smile because of the many posts I've read here that truly indicate how insideous this disease can be.. -They said that there are many new treatment options & any comments, thoughts, experiences would be greatly appreciated.. GOD BLESS YOU!! Tom

I've just gotten in the shape to post but here is a brief outline on my operation: -4-4-06 operation performed at 7:30AM..Lower Left Lobetomy & Upper Left Segmentomy..Both tumors are malignanent..Procedures comleted successfully with heavy resistance from post cardiac scar tissue all around the inner wall of the chest..Thus far procedure has been extremely painful..Still waiting on pathology to see if it has spread beyond the tuomors -4-9-06 - Discharged from hospital God Bless, Tom

Nancy & I thank you sincerely for the great suggestions & ideas.. Tom

My wife Nancy asked me to see if the support community has any suggestions for post surgery care(Lobectomy & Segmentomy)..Will we need a private or visiting nurse initially? Nancy has Lupus & Severe Leg & Knee Replacement, etc.. Any experiences that you could share would be gratefully appreciated.. Tom

That's great news..It is very encouraging to hear from people like yourself..God Bless & hope all is well.. Tom

Many thanks for your thoughts & prayers..They are sincerely appreciated.. Tom

Thank you for your concern & support.. They will be doing a lower left lobectomy & an upper left segmentomy..Also there was some slight activity in some of the lymph nodes & something near the hellum (SIC) that they will check out..They'll try to preserve part of the upper left lobe if possible.. I admire your the tremendous spirit to beat this insidious monster that has invaded our lives & to support each other as much as we can.. That is very reassuring just to know that I am not alone in this fight.. God Bless All in This Wonderful Support Group, Tom

-3-20-06-Appt with VAT Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Caccavale who refers me to Oncologist Dr. Fein -3-22-06-Appt with Dr. Fein 3-23-06- Drs. Fein & Caccavale consulted & I am meeting on Monday to discuss lobectomy (s)..My post op condition is not stable enough to handle radiation or chemo at this point so this is the only option at this juncture in time..We're going to do a lot of praying from this point forward..God Bless all & this wonderful group!

-3-20-06-Appt with VAT Thoracic Surgeon who refers me to Oncologist -3-22-06-Appt with Dr.oncologist 3-23-06- Drs. & I am meeting on Monday to discuss lobectomy (s)..My post op condition is not stable enough to handle radiation or chemo at this point so this is the only option at this juncture in time..We're going to do a lot of praying from this point forward

Just met with thoracic VAT surgeon Dr. Robert Caccavale & he really pored over the scans, reports, etc. with us..This was the first time I really saw what was going on..We were extremely impressed with his directness & concern along with the facilities & his "professional report card", etc.. The 2 masses in the left lung are what he described as 3B - he also mentioned something about 4T or T4 but it went right over my head..Does anyone know what this means? The larger mass in lower lobe seems to be tangled up with a bronchial tube..He is recommending a "needle biopsy" asap.. I've been referred to an oncologist (Dr. Robert Fein)who works very closely with this doc & I will see him this Wed..we then determine what the game plan is: VAT surgery or other treatment options.. Am I moving along properly with this? After the lousy experience with my coronary bypass, I will endeaver to try to get the best medical professionals, procedures, equipment, etc.. Thank you for any guidance & support.. God Bless You..Tom