Robert Macaulay

Roz...that's exactly why I asked the doc about it. They didn't mention the size of this in the pet scan-the active node that they are going to biopsy- so I wondered if it was big enough that they could get a sample from it. I guess it is! 🤨
Sooo...who has had the needle biopsy on a lung? Doesn't that puncture your lung though? Wonder which way they'll go in....front or back? Guess whichever way is closest..? Will they knock me out? Yikes.....this is some freaky stuff.
Please let em knock me out... LOL 

No way man they better knock me completely out! Yeow!

Kleo- I had 4 thoracentisis procedures that involved a large needle stuck through my back into the pleura around my left lung.  They drained over 6 liters of fluid from my left lung through these.  They did a local anesthesia each time.  I watched the procedure on the sonogram live.  The initial stick was similar to the stick for bloodwork.  It was surprisingly non-eventful.   
I suspect the needle biopsy will be similar and actually less of an event.  I’m sure they will give you a lidacane shot to numb the area that will actually hurt worse than the procedure. 🙂
🦅

Just got power back on after 36 hour outage that was not fun and another wind storm coming for today 

Took ~2 weeks for my biomarker test to come back.  Absolutely a game changer for me.  I take a Tagrisso pill once a day since I am EGFR.  No more infusions since Tagrisso started and my port is being removed next week.  This is working for me.  I pray you get the right treatment to fight your mutation.
Biomarker test was done on my fluid from the thoracentisis.  It was essentially blood.
BTW - I would ask for a bronchoscopy to check to make sure your lymph nodes are normal.  Thats what they biopsied the first time for me.  They didn’t make it to the small nodule that they were after because the lymph node looked abnormal.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🌲🎅🏻☃️❄️
🦅

Upper left lobe. There's 2 new nodules in my upper left lobe and 2 in my right. Only that one registered on the activity scale though.
 

Kleo,
I was asking because I have been told that the 5 new nodules in my lower right lobe are too small to biopsy. I was curious about the size of yours. Sure wish there was a way to keep these nodules from popping up..How are you doing otherwise? You and Bob certainly have a great sense of humor!!
 
Ro

Roz- this biopsy is just for the new nodule that recently showed up. It's not very big I don't think...and they didn't report a size measurement on it. I asked the doc if it was big enough to get a sample and she said yes so....we will see!
My first biopsy via bronchoscopy of my lymphnode said adenocarcinoma.

Kleo
I had four biopsy including the needle biopsy and for me was the least invasive and no pain whatsoever, The bad news was the sample was no good and had to get another full blown scope.
I sometime think radiation doctors are on  different wavelength, The one i had kept asking me how i thought about the radiation. I am still thinking about that answer.  lol
Bob

Kleo
I had four biopsy including the needle biopsy and for me was the least invasive and no pain whatsoever, The bad news was the sample was no good and had to get another full blown scope.
I sometime think radiation doctors are on  different wavelength, The one i had kept asking me how i thought about the radiation. I am still thinking about that answer.  lol
Bob

Originally I was told needle biopsy was the only option.  Except for me, the nodule was too close to my heart so serious surgery was needed.  I declined.  After monitoring for almost a year, I was told there was a procedure called a navigational bronchoscopy. I opted for that since it was minimally invasive.  I am now almost 1 year to the day a cancer patient/survivor stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma lung primary from my biopsy via the navigational bronchoscopy in 2017.
My CT this week showed results that the targeted therapy is working for me and has shut down the cancer compared to my last CT in October.  I am convinced the genetic testing is the right approach, at least for me.  Stay positive and never underestimate the power of prayer.
🦅

See!? That's a lot for your system to take all at once imo.  I think your poor system was like WHAAAAA.....??
 
Well my doc postponed my durva treatment. Didn't get it today. She only suspended this one treatment pending the results of my biopsy the 27th. She's not totally convinced this isn't some post treatment activity she said...because the activity is relatively low. And EWWW it's a needle biopsy this time! Better knock me out for this! Yikes.😨
She seems relatively unconcerned about the glowing rib. Said radiation would take care of it.
Well ok then. LOL

Kleo
Could be they are communicating by email and she is the messenger. ?
Dec-27 is my next blood work for infusion on Jan-2 .
Bob

Just got a call from the radiation doc...she's scheduled a biopsy for me of the new nodule for Dec. 27..
 
Kinda weird my radiation doc did that and not my oncologist.... I haven't even seen my onc yet! 🤨 

Just got in from radiation doc. She said likely I'll have to do another biopsy on the rib that's lighting up. Said she will get with my onc and they are going to take it to the tumor board but she may want to try stereotatic radiosurgery on my initial tumor. Didn't think you could do radiation again to the same area but what do I know. 😕
Now I gotta wait to see onc on the 19th to see what the plan is now.
Que sera and Fa La La La La!

Kleo
I think i will pass on the antibiotics,   https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/02/cancer-antibiotics-immunotherapy-treatment-study
Bob

Opal
Regarding the antibiotics these results are random tests nothing more if doctor gives you antibiotics there is very good reason. What comes first the horse or the cart. .Lol
Antibiotics over the course of your treatment might be a concern for a individual, That is why doctors get the big bucks and never fell asleep at classes like me.
That song is as good as any works real well for me.😎
 

Bob, it took a minute but I get it!  Thanks for that!!
Eagle 13, after reading your reply I do recall reading that thru this journey. Thanks for the link. And for your story. 
 

I was put on Imfinzi or Durva right after my Chemo and radiation treatment completed. (With no testing) I received 8 treatments of Durva before I had to stop due to the Pleural Effusion.  I am now Stage 4.  Biomarker testing was done on the fluid that was pulled.
I sought a second opinion with the agreement of my Onc.  My Onc was puzzled the Durva wasn’t working and ordered the biomarker test on the fluid.  Results came in right before the 2nd opinion appointment. The 2nd opinion Dr took over my primary care by my choice and put me on the targeted therapy.  The targeted therapy is 1 pill I take once a day, every day at the same time.  The drug for my mutation, EGFR - (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) they chose was Tagrisso.   I am a non-smoker.  EGFR is typical for non-smokers who get  non small cell lung cancer.
🦅
 

Yikes! Yeah unless it gets real bad...I think pass!😫

Opal...I've had prednisone before and it didn't bother me much. Everyone must react differently!
Well heck I wish you could get your infusions lined up with ours...then we could be durva TRIPLETS!😂 Heehee.
I go tomorrow to the radiation doc. She'll have the recent PET results. Really though I'm not even sure that anything can be done at this point but watch and wait. None of this new stuff is big enough to biopsy I don't think.  Dangit I wish they'd done the biomarker testing in the first biopsy. 😕
Bob tell the doc you can't suspend durva because it'll mess up our treatment twin schedule.🤣

Kleo
Had some antibiotics prior to starting Durvalumab from the Doc  for previous congestion very similar and they cleared it up so she gave me some more when i was on chemo in July.  Right now just the antibiotic,  I also found out on the Durvalumab website that  Mucinex is compatible and Tums as i take them for calcium levels.
Right now i feel  my breathing is back to normal, But watch that cough as that is how mine started just little in the morning nothing to worry about  till the congestion got worse and i now believe i got a infection similar to earlier this year but it sure was a wake up call .
Bob

I got fingers crossed you won't need Prednisone and have to stop Durva. I begged they take me off the Prednisone.
Wish I was on West coast but on East coast.

Kleo
Feeling lot better today my Stomach muscles are still sore from all that coughing feels as if i did five situps in  succession. lol  When you are on Durvalumab i thought i read it is not advIsable to take Antibiotics ,I asked the doc if she had anything and she never replied so i said what about store bought products and she agreed.So couple of Mucinex a day and couples swigs of Robitussen will get me back to normal what ever normal is these days.  lol.
I got my curve ball thrown at me with the coughing  hours after the infusion and was fully expecting to be given Predisone and the treatment stopped. You just got a fast ball thrown at you today and i fully expect i will get one someday as all cancer patients do during treatment . I am expecting a phone call early next week as my oncologist is back and looks at my scan from yesterday and compares it to Oct-29 results I might also be whistling Dixie or my favourite  Que sera sera.
The positives is they done the right thing giving you the Pet Scan and both doctors will come up with a new game plan based on what they interpret from the skin flick.  lol
Get your appointment book ready for 2019 and away we go again. Hi Ho Silver
Bob

Hey Kleo, you are passing me by number on infusions now. I would have been on schedule with you and Bob if I didn't have to stop for a month. I go Wednesdays or Thursday whenever I can get an appointment or "chair".
I'm pretty sure pneumonitis would show up on CT or PET.  I was put on antibiotics along with the Prednisone, they were being cautious, in case whatever showed on my CT scan was pneumonitis. Turns out it wasn't. Glad your spasms stopped. 
I didn't get any Durva basket either😞 so don't feel alone on that one.