Don M

Cathy; You and your dad have my prayers. I hope you get him out of there for Christmas. Don M

I hope your dad gets pain meds while he waits for treatment. Last Feburary, I had a PET scan that showed uptake to my chest wall, left hilum and remaining lobe in my left lung. The oncologist said my cancer had come back and I should start chemo, although I could wait a while, a few months. There was not any discussion of getting a biopsy before treatment. I decided to go see a surgeon and he did a biopsy. The pathologist determined that my chest wall was clear, and so was my hilum. The nodule was malignant. So, they removed the rest of my left lung. I am cancer free now. If I had not gone to see the surgeon and had a biopsy, I would likely still have cancer. So, I guess having a biopsy would be a final conclusive proof of cancer or no cancer. My operation took place within 2 weeks after the PET scan report was completed. I am glad I had the biopsy. You might push for the biopsy to take place as fast as possible. Maybe it is not cancer. The important thing for now, is to get your dad's pain under control. Don M

I would do the ct scan. You could get false positives that could be chased down with a PET scan or just monitored if the objects are small. I forgot all about the needle. I guess it will all come back to me at my next scan. Don M

My grandson's smile.

Bless us all. The dark days are coming to an end and spring is just around the corner. Don M

Connie: Enjoy your holidays and get out of the hospital quickly. Bless you and yours. Don M

Joanie has my prayers. DON M

I think your mom should go see another oncologist and you go with her to discuss the radiation or no radiation and also ask why your mom can't have chemo because of the heart tumor. I think chemo has been done for heart tumors. You also might go to the Ask the Experts Forum and ask them about radiation and chemo. Consider going to a major cancer center. They could driect the treatment and it could be administered locally. I hope your mom gets some relief soon. I guess I would lean to starting the palliative treatment using radiation, but still seek consulation at a major cancer center. Don M

Sorry to hear about the liver mets Nelson. If it was me, I would ask about radio frequency abation and then chemo. Good luck. Don M

Good luck on your scans Bill. Don M

Darci: I started feeling good again about a month after chemo, but I pushed myself during chemo. I still can't do what I used to do before, but that is mainly because I have only one lung now. If he thinks he can do everything he did before treatment, more power to him, I say. Go for it and gung ho! I remember my oncologist told me it takes a year before you get all your stamina back. Sometimes,lately, it seems like I can do more. I don't get panty going up a flight of stairs anymore, and I did just a few months after chemo. I make sure I get aerobic exercise every day. Don M

Jim: I have heard good things about the combo you are taking, especially the avastin. I hope you have good results. Don M

Hi Rochelle; I go by Don M

I am going to check it out. It is definitely an interesing subject. Don M

Pat and Brian, you have my prayers. Don M

Shannon; in the final analysis, you have to be supportive. But in my view it is of paramount improtance that your dad quit smoking if he wants get evry edge possible in beatin the cancer. Of course, your dad already knows this, so the only thing you can really do is to be supportive. Don M

Hi Jay: I did not meet you last February either. I had just received news of my second cancer and was busy scheduling surgery and stuff. I don't know the answer to your questions, but I hope the procedure brings your son a permanent fix. Don M

Holly: you and your mom have my prayers Don M

Stay with it Lori. You and your family have my prayers. Cancer really does suck. Don M

Nancy, you and your dad have my prayers. Hospice shoudl be able to mangage the pain quite well. Don M

Meow!

Take care Beth. Don M

That was a nice post Jen. I am sure I would have liked your mom. Don M

Bill: I am very sorry that you and your wife are going through this now. Ihope that some treatment can be found to help your wife. Don M

Hi Eppie: I hated the hospital too. I never want to go back. I hope your dad gets the flutters under control. They gave me digoxin to use after my last surgery to regualte my heart beat. Don M