ztweb
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Hello LCSC friends. I just wanted to check in with you all and let you know my dad is doing great. In March of 2006 he was diagnosed with SCLC and you all helped me make it from one day to the next. Today, he continues to be cancer free, ornery as usual, and a message of hope for those of you facing this for the first time. I am forever grateful for the insights, prayers, and love from all of the people here at LCSC.
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I posted this in general as well, so thanks if you have already responded.
OK...so how bizarre is this one....
Dad had a sectional surgery today where they were able to get everything from the "spot" they detected on the CT but that didn't light up on the PET.
Once tested they found that it was actually a granuloma (an inflammation in cells that looks like a "spot" on an xray but really is more of a reaction to some kind of infection....that once further tested had a small, tiny, teensy, nodule of Small Cell Lung Cancer in it. Grrrr. It was so small that it probably wouldn't even show up on a PET anyway.
So...now we have to wait to talk to Oncology again, as we have to decide what to do next...are there teensy, tiny little SCLC cells all over? That, of course, is the biggest concern, but they did say that when they took the lymph nodes in the sectional (the most common way that SCLC metasticizes) they tested totally clear...that is a good sign.
When discussing whether this is considered "recurrent" the decision was made that it would probably be treated as a new cancer as there hadn't been anything in the last three years.
So, while we are so very lucky to have results today and to have successful surgery, we are just very worried that SCLC might be back.
Anyone have this before??? Or anything like it?
Blessings to you all,
Jen
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OK...so how bizarre is this one....
Dad had a sectional surgery today where they were able to get everything from the "spot" they detected on the CT but that didn't light up on the PET.
Once tested they found that it was actually a granuloma (an inflammation in cells that looks like a "spot" on an xray but really is more of a reaction to some kind of infection....that once further tested had a small, tiny, teensy, nodule of Small Cell Lung Cancer in it. Grrrr. It was so small that it probably wouldn't even show up on a PET anyway.
So...now we have to wait to talk to Oncology again, as we have to decide what to do next...are there teensy, tiny little SCLC cells all over? That, of course, is the biggest concern, but they did say that when they took the lymph nodes in the sectional (the most common way that SCLC metasticizes) they tested totally clear...that is a good sign.
When discussing whether this is considered "recurrent" the decision was made that it would probably be treated as a new cancer as there hadn't been anything in the last three years.
So, while we are so very lucky to have results today and to have successful surgery, we are just very worried that SCLC might be back.
Anyone have this before??? Or anything like it?
Blessings to you all,
Jen
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It is 5:06 right now and we are headed out to the hospital for a bronch and "poke hole" procedure. Please keep those prayers coming! Blessings to you all!
Jen
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Hey...we are still out here fighting! We have a new blip but looks not to be small cell. Dad actually has great lungs they told him...even after all the treatments he had 3 years ago for small cell.
Cancer sucks...there really is no way about it, but I am glad you posted this so we can all get on here and say, "Yes, Yeah! Keep fighting!"
Jen
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Grrrrrr! My prayers that this works. So sorry...cancer stinks!
Jen
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Sandra,
I am so sorry that the chemo didn't go well. We were so lucky with the chemo as dad responded well and we have been in remission for three years. He did find that keeping something in his stomach at all times was a huge help and drinking lots and lots of water (sometimes in the form of eating a full watermelon) would help.
Blessings to you and may you find something that will help.
Jen
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You know...there is something about going in and expecting bad news, that ends up turning into some good news, that has to be one of the best feelings ever! That happened today.
The PET my dad had this morning does not show a malignancy...I'll be dogg! Of course, we all know that PETs have their downsides, so Mayo plans to take out the "spot" anyway to be on the safe side...while in there they are going to test the "spot" and if it is odd in any way they are going to remove the upper lobe of the lung to be safe.
We considered this great news today and are thrilled. At least we know that cancer isn't running rampant in his body. The docs did a number of tests on lung functions and heart workings..."You are a very healthy man, except for this really odd spot you have." What great news to hear!
So...we are again in wait mode as the bronch will be on Thursday...with surgery to follow immediately if needed.
Thank you all for your prayers and may you keep them coming. They have helped us so much along this road...you are all such a blessing to me...my lung cancer family.
Blessings,
Jen
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YOu know...I can't help but post here that you all are the most amazing people! Thanks for everything. I will post an update in General.
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Dad has his PET tomorrow at Mayo, followed by a battery of other tests and a surgical consult in the afternoon...we are looking at possible surgery on Tuesday or early this week.
Please keep those prayers coming...this just sucks.
Jen
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Just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had this....I am baffled by the fact that his body is letting him get this again....grrrrr.
Blessings to you,
Jen
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Greetings all...the results (kinda) are in. Dad had that spot that had grown over the course of the last year, and they want to get it out of there. They are first going to do a PET (through all of this, we have never had one) and then if it is nowhere else, they want to go in surgically and remove it.
Mayo is typically so good about getting things done quickly...next week will be the PET and if all is a go surgery will be the next day with five days in the hospital afterwards...why five days??? Help me out here?
She believes this new spot is unrelated to the SCLC that he had before...probably NSCLC....so all of you out there, please help me...give me hope.
Cancer stinks...it robs us of so much. Please say prayers for my family. With dad's first SCLC diagnosis three and 1/2 years ago, to losing my sister suddenly this year, I don't know how much more my family can take.
I would love to hear your stories of hope...
Blessings to you,
Jen
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Just an update here...
A regular x-ray shows nothing wrong with the throat...where he thought it seemed to be coming from. They took a CT, but the readers aren't here until this morning. They have a 1:30 central time appointment with the doc. The ER people said they did believe it looked like that pinpoint size had grown...thought maybe he had a lung infection. They told him that if they put him on antibiotics and the blood goes away that is a good sign...as of 9:00 p.m. last night it had gone away...so lets keep praying....
Thanks all! and Blessings,
Jen
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Hello all...I have been living in cancer denial now for 3 years with dad...he has been great. Last night he started coughing up blood...I am freaking out. They are on their way to Mayo this morning...his appointment check up was already scheduled for Monday morning....
Prayers please....
Jen
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My prayers...of course.
Jen
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Carleen,
It is so very good to hear from you. Long, long ago, I put your phone number into my cell phone and every time I am browsing through the "K" section I think of you.
You do have a very full life and for that I am so pleased! Keith, your guardian angel, has taken very good care of you.
May you continue to know the blessings of love, laughter, and peace!
Jen
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Dawn,
Bless your heart! I am so sorry...My dad had the PCI and for the longest time he kept the face mask in the bedroom as a reminder...not sure why...I guess he was just proud of finishing.
You know what I think...why you? Sure, why not you, but seriously, why you? Cancer sucks...there is no way around it.
On a good note, when Dad lost all the new growth with the PCI, we were all marveling at how the PCI made his head tan...so atleast it isn't the white look!! (silver lining???)
Blessings to you Dawn...you have been through alot.
Jen
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Thank you to everyone who said prayers. We have good news and a bump....
The good news...
There is no sign that there is any active cells AT ALL from the SCLC of 3 years ago. His lungs look great, and they are healing well.
The Bump...
At dad's check up 9 months ago, there was a spot on the CT (he hasn't had PETs) that was about the size of a ball point pen tip. It was in the opposite lung on the far corner. Today, the CT made it "appear" that the ball point pen tip had grown to about the size of an eraser.
The doc said she really isn't worried about this, as on a CT it could be the way he breathed during the scan or left-overs from his recent bronchitis. She told them to not lose sleep over this...however, she did say that she can't wait the now-usual six months, but instead would like to see him in 3 months just to make sure. I had been saying that I hated the 6 month check-ups, so maybe that is my answer...but still, GRRRRR.
Dawn, the doc, seems to think that if it IS something, it is slow growing, thus probably not SCLC. If it IS something, it is unrelated to his original cancer.
So...we are back to worrying. I had gotten pretty used to having those great reports. I know this isn't a BAD report by any means, but it is still a worry, nontheless.
I ask for more prayers, and I ask that if you have any information about what this could be, you let me know...I have counted on you all in the past and you have been so great....thank you, thank you.
Blessings,
Jen
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Oh, you guys are the best. I miss you all. Dad's appointment isn't till Thursday...thought it was today or tomorrow...not the case....but, today is his 69 birthday....YES!
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Greetings to all my LCSC friends. (I even gave up Facebook for lent, so those of you I connected with there, I miss you!!)
This week is Dad's check-up. This will have been the longest wait time between check-ups, and I HATE that. It sucks. We go into this one pretty nervous...only because it has been so long and Dad has had a bit of bronchitis these last few months. He did have a chest X-ray with the bronchitis, and the small-town docs said it looks "better than it did three years ago when you were here." So...there is a bit of solace in that, but not a ton, as they aren't veterans at looking at my dad's lungs.
Anyway...of course I ask for prayers. It has been such a horribly hard year for my family, with the loss of my sister. I can't imagine what we would do if this check-up has any issues. So...doulbe up for me, please!!
Blessings to you alll,
Jen
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I am so sorry to read your post. I had checked in with you earlier and thought things were on the up. May you know God's peace.
Eternal rest be granted unto her oh Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her always...
Jen
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Boy, I don't know what to say. I honestly don't know. I will say that it doesn't sound like Small Cell, as it grows much to quickly and the side affects are obvious...generally...
Maybe your dad will lighten up on the "no biopsy" rule he's made, as that would allow you to know so much more.
Stay strong...
Jen
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Wow...what an interesting post. I think it is awesome that you have a doc who is so intuned! I hope you continue to get some good news and the Taxol is a winner!
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I haven't been on in a while, but my dad is over three years into remission from small cell. My dad lost MUCH of his ambition, and quite honestly it never came back full strength. I still think there is a bit of a deal with depression, which he refuses to admit, but in general he just is wiped out.
Don't be discouraged, but do be on the look-out. I, personally, hated when they moved to 4 months, instead of 3. I liked the consistent "good report!" We are not into 6-7 months appointments, and I just feel like I always have to be on the lookout.
Stay strong and know this can be beat...yes, cancer sucks!
Jen
Still Clear!
in SCLC GROUP
Posted
Greetings friends! Here we are, more than 5 years out and my dad is still clean, clean, clean! Just wanted to let you know.