Patkid Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Well......... It is day 2 of round 2. We leave at 10. Brian had a rough night even with all the meds he has for nausea, heartburn and so on............. Last round he started to perk on the Saturday after the 3 infusions.......about 4 PM. We are hanging on till then. While we were at the Cancer Center yesterday for his 8 hour infusion, I asked for and received copies of his medical record as it pertains to this LC diagnosis. I am not sure that was a good idea, but I feel fully informed. Brian has no desire to analyze things..........he is just committed to doing all he can to help the medicines work to shrink the turmors. I am glad. He just says he trusts his doctors and God. He is just awesome. I have read and read and read till my eyes are falling out. Then, since there was not much sleeping going on last night anyway, I did a lot of research on the internet armed w/ my new vocabulary. I am convinced Bri is getting top notch care. He had the latest fusion type CT/PET Scan, the very last minute types of staining for his biopsy in addition to the microscope work..................................... Oncology and PCP notes repeat over and over that Brian's clinical presentation DOES NOT MATCH HIS DIAGNOSIS. In fact his oncologist states that Brian simply is not sick enough to have this extensive disease. He does have extensive disease. The diagnosis is : Non Small Cell Lung Cancer with nueroendocrine features (that means it is agressive, like small cell lung cancer), adenopathy, (it is in his lymphatic system), and mets to liver. His lung tumor is 5X7 CM and his liver tumor is 5X6 cm. He is not a candidate for surgery or for radiation, due to the metasteses and location of tumors The lung tumor is in his left lung and has grown around a main artery and bronchii...........I don't have the papers here so I am sure I am making a few mistakes in spelling and vocabulary----------------------plus I am brain dead from no sleep. I understand that it is rare that Brian does not have mets to his brain or his bones............ I am grateful, tho, for any and all breaks that he an catch. His next scan is on April 5. We see the oncologist the week after. They will ascertain if we are getting good shrinkage (not in the Seinfeld way) and if so he will continue with the chemo he gets now. If, not they will adjust the poison. Yucky. I do feel that it is appropriate that this is Holy Week. Good Friday is a good day to feel like we do. Brian is awesome. I love him so much and we are getting used to the whole idea. One of our wonderful grandchildren, Gabby, was here last Sunday with her family and she snuggled up to me and said, "I love you and grandpa so much!, I like that you are his nurse." It melted me into my shoes. She is pretty awestruck by Brian's bald look. His hair was so pretty and silvery..............what a shame. A friend said he found a "chemo cap" for Brian - something knitty I guess, I hope Brian will like/try it, cuz I am pretty tired of the ball cap look. He is so funny. He turns it around backward and states: "I AM NOW IN RALLY MODE". .Isn't it odd that we took a perfectly happy, healthy man and turned him into a sickly bald guy just over an x-ray? You guys, we were at the cancer center all day yesterday, headed back there today and then I was up and down with Bri all night. I have not had time to catch up on all the posts...................Please know we are thinking of you and we love you and we need you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Take a deep breath! Always get a 2nd opinion and ask the doc to go over the report with you. It's hard looking it up on the internet and trying to figure it out yourself. My last report I had the "nodules" the size of CM not MM, boy that made a difference! I obtained copies of all my med records since cancer, it's very hard to read without crying. It's hard to read about the surgey without getting emotional. But now I understand everything that has been done to me. Hang on! Come here for support. PM or email if you need me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Sounds like you are on top of things. Wishing you both well! Make sure he drinks lots and lots of water before, during, and after chemo...it will help a lot with body aches etc. Hang in there, I know its hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Pat, Glad to see there is a game plan in place. Prayers for the best. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 My best to you and Brian. Appreciate the update. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I think you are really on top of things. I think you and Brian, and your whole family, including that wonderful granddaughter, have an awesome attitude. You are one of my new heros. God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Pat & Bri thank you so much for this update. Very glad that you got the reports and went through them. It sounds as if this has really helped to put your mind at ease, having the confidence now that everything that has been done is correctly done according to state of the art procedures. Now, that is a piece you can let go and move on to concentrate on others. I commend you for putting your nose to the grindstone to figure this out. It is not an easy task. For me, it was very emotional to face the written words of the doctors and knowing that they were not good words, but they were facts. Wore me out too. You two are doing a bang up job. I love how you are getting in there and just doing what needs to get done. You know I already love ya! Hope he gets rid of that sick tummy and soon! love, Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted March 24, 2005 Author Share Posted March 24, 2005 Brian is really getting his butt kicked this time. He threw up all morning and all during infusion.............but a does of Ativan (IV Push) and he got some relief. He has been sleeping for about an hour now and seems to be resting really well. He surely is a good sport. It is hard to believe that a month ago he was working 10 hour nights and working on his '56 Chevy all weekend plus playing with grandchildren and all the regular stuff. Can't wait to get some good tumor shrinkage so he can feel a bit better. He has Protonix for heartburn, the nausea pill (starts w/ Z..........can't remember right now), and ativan now. Next round they are going to use AmbeN? We are working to get preapproval for that for Insurance. Man, there is so much to learn!! Brian is really determined to work w/ the meds to shrink the tumors and keeps quoting DADSTIMEON "spirits are good". Bless his heart and all of yours. Thank you for being here. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Pat and Brian- You can do it, try to get some rest and drink lots of fluids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Dear Pat, You and Brian sound like quite a team!!! Together you can conquer anything!! I am sorry Brian had such a bad time with the treatment, hopefully things will improve in that area. God Bless you at this special time of year and please know I pray for you daily. Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted March 25, 2005 Share Posted March 25, 2005 Pat, I'm really sorry to hear that Brian is having such a hard time with treatment. It happens, and I know it's hard on you. It was hard on me when my hubby was knocked on his butt from treatment. I so very vividly remember how scared and sad I was. Just know in your heart that it's working to kick the cancer to hell where it belongs. He will get better. It may take a while, but he will get better. BIG HUGS!!! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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