janetg

Hi - While we don't have final results from Ron's MRI there is a suspicious thickening of the left adrenal gland that was visualized on the cat scan. I don't want to put the cart before the horse but I think that if I have some knowledge prior to the consult I can be more prepared to ask the right questions or digest the information if I more informed. What generally is the protocol when mets to the adrenal gland are found. Chemo? Radiation? Removal? Wait and Watch? I know that many of you have had adrenal gland mets so I'd love to here how it was handled. If anyone can help me out with this, I'd be grateful. Thanks, Janetg

Hi Jane - What wonderful news to have gotten. Congratulations! It's all an inspiration for me when I read of positive results. Since you're an oncology research nurse maybe you can shed a little light on something for me. My husband's latest C-scan showed a "thickening of the adrenal gland" so an MRI was completed on Monday. The dr. was not overly concerned. His blood work was perfect and there was evidence of anything in the lungs or spine. Does the thickening most often indicates malignancy or is possible that it's nothing. If cancer is found in the adrenal is chemo or radiation usually used or do the oncs. just watch it? We haven't gotten the results. His next appointment with cancer centre is March 16. However, we'll know if there's something awry should we receive a call to go in sooner I think. Thanks for any help you can give. Here's to having a wonderful spring break!!!! Janet

Thanks for all of the reponses and support. It's wonderful to feel welcomed. I do appreciate hearing that we're not alone and that so many of you are doing well and plan on continuing to do well. JanetG

Hi - I came across your site when referred by another member for information. I've been scanning the stories and I must tell you that I wish I had found you last March when our nightmare began. Ron, my partner, had had a "sore" back which presented itself in September 2003 subsequent to a furnace and oil tank installation. At first the pain wasn't too bad - it seemed that ibuprofen took care of it. The symptoms appeared to indicate "sciatica" because he'd get a little relief after seeing a chiropractor until December. We all thought that the problem kept flaring up because Ron continued to lift and work continuously throughout the winter months. It was March 2004 when Ron finally couldn't deal with the pain anymore. Even though I had urged him repeatedly to see a physician he kept putting it off. He actually went to emergency and his back was xrayed. The physician told him that everything seemed ok. However, a week and half later that same emerg. md phone him to say that another colleague had looked at the film and suggested a catscan. Apparently, he had seen compression fractures - that indicated a more serious problem. Our visit to a neurosurgeon was scheduled for March 25. Ron didn't make that appointment; he went to emergency that morning because of rapid breathing. Pleural effusion was found in the right lung. It was drained by the respirologist and sent for testing. We were still hoping that it might have been pneumonia. Before we received the lab results we saw the neurosurgeon who just shook his head after looking at the catscan. He told Ron to go home and get his things in order. We were shocked. Two days later the respirologist delivered the news that the cells extracted from his lung did indicate malignancy. He was referred immediately to oncology and that's when our story of treatment and success (so far) begins. It's been 10 months since the horrible visit with the neurosurgeon and Ron is doing extremely well. I'm so happy to see that Stage IV is not necessarily a death sentence. Your board seems to have those who can boast much longer than all of the horrible statistics indicate. I would love to hear about your stories of survival. It keeps me positive. Also, if any of you have had mets to the adrenal I'd like to get more information. This latest possibility is something that we may be dealing with shortly. I'm sorry for being long winded but it really does help when we females get to vent. I appreciate any suggestions and information which you may like to share. And of course, prayers are always appreciated. Keep up the fight. JanetG