Don M Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 I kind of like that saying. Anyway, I just got the results of my scan and the radiologist says the tumor has grown from about 1 cm to 3.4 cm in just 3 months. For the previous year, it had hovered right around 1cm. Then it takes off and grows exponentially, after 33 treatments of intense radiation and 4 rounds of alimta. I was very surprised and disappointed that my treatment apparently did not work. I talked to a radiation oncologist at Swedish tumor Institute in Seattle, and she says that the apparent large tumor could also be explained by a large amount of inflammation caused by a dying tumor. It is as if my tumor went nova. I like that explanation better. I am going to see the tumor docs next week in Seattle and see what they have to say. "It is what it is". Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hi Don, I am sorry that spot is still hanging around...it's got to be inflammation. How could it grow that much so fast while it showed so little growth before. It only makes sense it is inflamed from being blasted to pieces. You've been so patient waiting for results. Hopefully those docs in Seattle will confirm what the lady onc said. Prayers, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Don, I hope the radiologist is right. That sounds reasonable to me. What ever it is it sucks that you had to get the news at this time of year. Prayers that it is just inflamation and that by the first of the year you know for sure that you are ok. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Don: Yes, it is what it is, but it would be nice to know what is is. The nova explanation certainly makes the most sense, and I hope you don't have to wait too long to confirm it's the correct one. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkelley Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Don, So sorry for the news.......dad is about to start Alimta so I'd like to think that its "inflammation" too......Sending my thoughts and prayers your way. Tammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Don, Sorry the news wasn't the best... Keep your head up and keep having hope!! GOD BLESS YOU!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 It is so hard to imagine that the tumor had such growth with the rad and alimta, isn't it? Guess seeing what they have to say at the Swedish Institute is all you can do at present. I will believe that the nova explanation is correct and keep hoping for the best for you, Don. You just keep getting knocked down by this.....and bless you.....you get up and knock it back again and again. I am sorry you have to keep doing that. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlegirl Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 I certainly believe the inflammation explanation. I'm sorry this darn thing did not just disappear though. Here's hoping by next scan that is what happens! Enjoy your holidays! Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 What a shocker, Don. I am hoping with all my might that this is supernova. I admire your guts and determination to move forward and onward. You always seem to have strong reasoning and an intellectual approach to beating back this bugger. You have so much going for you, Don. I am counting on your good doctors to help put this bad boy to rest once and for all... Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hi Don, You are definitely one who is inspiration on here as you certainly are a fighter. I knew you were having your testing and after all the treatments I along with everyone here was hoping for good. How disappointing this news has been. But I pray for the results to be the latter. So there is hope and if not I know you will do whatever it takes. You are so brave and I am so sorry you are even going through all of this turmoil. I am sending prayers... Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanie55 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hi Don, I wish this news had been better, but I know you will find a way to deal. Let's kill the "Supernova"!!!!!!!!!! We're all with you and hopefully that helps. I know it helps me. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Saying prayers that this is only inflamation!!! I like your Supernova comparison!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hi Don, I wish the news had been better, but I know you're up for the fight, if needed. Let's hope the supernova theory holds. Stay strong. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Don, Hoping for a supernova here too! Let us know. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicysashimi Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hey Don, Hoping for a supernova annihilation. My understanding has always been that if the radiation oncologists want to kill a tumor, they can. Hang in there bud. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hey Don, Here's what you wrote; the radiologist says the tumor has grown from about 1 cm to 3.4 cm in just 3 months. Now since when do we believe anything those darn radiologists write? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that this concentrated beam of radiation would create scar tissue just like regular radiation. Only it would probably look denser and very localized because the beam was so concentrated. Of course, what good radiologist wouldn't jump at the chance to call this tumor growth? I'm not a radiologist, , but I think your oncs probably spread the beam out a little bigger than your actual tumor just to give you a safe margin. This is why the spot looks bigger now. Anyway, just my theory Don. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursol Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Don, I'm rooting for this growth being nothing more than scarring. Hope all goes well for you. Lilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_s Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hang in there Don. I hope the docs can verify inflammation quickly. This is odd. I am not used to telling people that I hope they have an inflammation Best Regards, mike_s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 21, 2006 Author Share Posted December 21, 2006 Thanks for your support again every one. My radiation oncologist and the lung cancer expert at Swedish Tumor Institute, Dr. West, are going to review the data and take it to the tumor board this Friday morning. My radiation oncologist will call me Friday after the meeting and tell me what’s up. I also have an appointment to see Dr. West the day after Christmas. The radiologist at Swedish will offer his own interpretation of the scan too. I had the scan done at my local facility. I would take it to the Swedish guys to say what they have to say about it no matter what the local radiologist said anyway. Barb, that is excellent insight about what could be causing the 3.4 cm spot. It stands to reason that the object on the film would have a tightly defined boundary because the beam was so focused. I had a radiation burn spot on my chest that was a little circle somewhere around 1.5 inches in diameter, maybe a little less. I remember being concerned about it because it was considerably bigger than the diameter of the tumor itself. Anyway, that is about 3.4 cm. I am tempted to mention it to Dr. West, but I think I will just wait until the consultation. I am sure that they are looking at all the possibilities. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma's kid Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hoping and praying that this is just an inflammation! Libby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Wow Don, It sure sounds like you have a great team willing to go to bat for you. I love your tenacity and great spirits! I hope you can get this all resolved soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Don--Just know that I'm praying.... I'm rooting for a supernova that can collapse into nothing or scarring. Praying for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 The tumor board at Swedish in Seattle looked at my scan today. The radiation oncologist called me and said the next step is for me to get a bronchoscopy and possibly fiducial placement in the tumor the same day for cyberknife treatment. The radiation oncologist thinks there is a small chance that it is a dying tumor, but when he mentioned fiducial placement, that indicates to me that he thinks it is very likely that the tumor is still active. At least it is apparently still in my lung and there is no new disease. If the tumor is bigger now, I suppose it should be easier to find with a bronchoscopy. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diveman38 Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 Hey Don I hope that it just scar tissue or a bloated dying tumor. Anyhow I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming consultations and scans. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 I'm with ya, Don. Just keep up the good attitude. Faithful prayer that this bump in your journey is easily overcome. Love P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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