yvetten Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 We went to the ONC appointment Friday and his words were "Another good scan!" My Dad's lung tumor and liver mets have improved (shrank)!!! When I asked what was next, though, the doctor said nothing, that he will rescan in one month and expects to see further improvement. No maintenance chemo, no tarceva, etc. He seemed really oppossed to tarceva, which I found odd. I also found it odd that he said there was no reason to believe Tarceva would work on my Dad. Huh?? I mentioned the never-smoker aspect and he said something like, "well that's true" and said we may try Tarceva down the road. What I don't get is why is he wanting to wait till the cancer grows before he goes to Tarceva> Why can't we have it now as maintenance? Also, I hate hate hate that when he saw how happy we were after he told us the results, he said: "now, remember, this is uncurable and it will progress; we may have bought you some time with chemo, but that is all." What a jerk! I asked my Dad about it after the appointment and he said he pays very little attention to him when he says stuff like that. That only God knows what will happen. I'm glad my Dad's attitude is in the right place. Anyway, thanks for your well wishes and prayers everyone! We can breathe, for now at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I am so very happy to hear that your Dad was gven a good report. It's news like this that truly makes me happy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I am glad to hear the good news! As to possibly why the onc is not giving Traceva yet, my parent's oncologist is waiting to give my dad Tarceva until he really needs it b/c if he gives it to him now for maintence and my dad really needs it later on, it might not be as effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Congrats on the good scans!!!! And kudos to dad for his attitude and inspiration. May the good scans continue indefinitely!!! Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddyslittlegirl Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 So happy for your good news. Just remeber what your dad said "only God knows when it's time." God bless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 That's great to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvetten Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Thanks everyone! And Katie, your words meant a lot to me . . . One more thing I wanted to add: The onc said that it is possible that the lung "tumor" that is showing up on the CAT scan is just scarring, but that he cannot tell. I asked him if CAT scans pick up metabolic activity and he said no, that would be seen with a PET scan. I asked why not do a PET then? He basically laughed as if to say: "what's the difference, he's doomed." What he actually said was that PET scans are only done pre-operation and to initally check for mets. I found this whole conversation pretty disturbing for a few reasons: 1) my Dad never had a PET to begin with so now I am questioning whether they know for sure he has liver mets (if no metabolic activity shows on a CAT, how do they know his liver spots are cancer)? 2) why not do a PET so that if it is just scarring showing up you can tell the patient "there is no more active cancer in the lungs?" I want to add that we did get a second opinion from UCLA and they confirmed NSCLC but they never rescanned, all they did was restest the tumor, which wasn't even biopsied (they tested cells gathered from a "wash" procedure). So, maybe a third opinion is in order?? When I suggested this to my Mom, she said, no, she was done getting "opinions" that noone could do anything for my Dad. The more I think about the oncologists' comments the more I get angry. I think it's partly because we are dealing with Kaiser and they are soooo cheap that they want to do the absolute minimum amount of tests. It seems that they almost want the patient to die so they don't have to keep paying for the treatments. Anyway, just venting. Anyone have thoughts on the PET/CT Scan questions?? One more questions (sorry for all the rambling): Kaiser did an MRI in September and all was clear. I asked the ONC if we need to do another one soon, even in the absence of symptoms and he said no, only if there are symptoms. Is this normally done? The old ONC (he was too doom-and-gloom so we changed him) said we should redo the MRI in three months (in December), so it makes me wonder. Should my Dad also get a bone scan even though he has no bone pain? Is it possible to have bone mets with no bone pain? Aaargh! I am going to drive myself crazy with these questions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 [ yvetten ] ...when he saw how happy we were after he told us the results, he said: "now, remember, this is uncurable and it will progress; we may have bought you some time with chemo, but that is all." With Stage IV that may be a correct statement technically, but SOME time may well be a LONG time. Your dad has amazed 'em in the past, and he can amaze 'em again. Stable is a good thing, further shrinkage is even better. Your dad's perspective is right on -- enjoy the break along with him! Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I would want a PET if I were you. For my mom, they did PETs throughout the first couple of years, not as often as CT scans. She never had a bone scan as a PET scan would show the bones they said. She also had a routine brain MRI done often. That is how they found her brain anyerusm actually. If you are interested in a third opinion, I worship the ground Dr Neil Barth walks on. He is at Hoag Hospital. Also, I heard that his prior associate Dr. Andy Jang went to Kaiser a year ago. If you want a second opinion from Kaiser, consider looking him up. He saw my mom once when she was in the hospital and he was really great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Great news on the scans and your dad has a great attitude. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Sounds like the dr. is a buffoon but your dad is a dream. I came here tonight needing good news. Thank you so much for posting this! Go dad! Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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