Don M Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I saw Dr. West today. The mass has grown a little bit. They don't know for sure if it is new tumor growth or inflammation. I also have a nodule that was seen 3 months ago right next to the big mass in the apex. It shows increased uptake, but it is the same size. The next treatment is for me to try tarceva, but I can wait until I have a definite increase in symptoms or increase in spread. So far it is still all in my upper right lobe. It is acting like a squamous adenocarcinoma, slow growing. It could eventually kill me, but not in the short term. So, I am not going to do more treatment for a while. I feel good now and the prednisone is helping me breathe. I still have treatment induced pneumonitis. Dr. West says that since my cancer is so slow growing, and I have not much healthy lung tissue left, that any future treatment may be worse than the disease itself. We both feel that tarceva is a safe bet. I am just going to time using tarceva to get the most possible benefit out of it. I was thinking about eventually doing taxotere if the tarceva does not work, but if I still have it all contained in my upper right lobe a year from now, I am going to ask for surgery…maybe. Dr. West says they would consider it, although it is radical for a one lunged person to have surgery, but if it spreads elsewhere surgery is out. I guess there is still a chance that it is all inflammation that is showing up and appears bigger, but I don’t have a very good track record for treatment response for this tumor and so I am not as positive, but am accepting about whatever outcome may arise in the next year or so. Yah… if the taxotere is really going to mess me up, and it is not likely to do any good, I think my next step after tarceva would be to ask for surgery. Still…maybe it will just go away. As Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead says “hoping for a miracle everyday” Don M P.S. I am using my son’s pc 200 miles from my home. We had a big bad storm there and I will be out of power and out of touch with the rest of the world for a week or longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Don, I will pray that the Tarceva when you start it that it will do the trick and put you in remission. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Im hoping and praying for a good outcome for you Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Don, I know you wanted reduction in size etc of the tumor but at least it is still all in the same place. Glad the pred is helping the breathing. When you decide about the Tarceva I sure hope it works. Keeping you in my prayers. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Don, It sounds like a lot of thought and careful analysis has gone into your present plan. Know that I will be praying for you. Glad the prednisone is helping your breathing . Keep us informed. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Thanks for the update Don. I hope it is inflammation, AND that it just goes away. I'll be hoping for a miracle everyday too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Oh Don, that storm in your area was terrible! I'm glad to hear you had somewhere to go. Is your home under water? ((((DON)))) 1. Glad to hear this cancer is SLOOOW going! That really is a plus in the world of lc. 2. I'm glad there are still options for you either Taxotere or Tarceva and just remember they might have something new if one of these don't work. 3. It's good to hear your feeling good. 4. I know all to well about a ONE LUNG PERSON having surgery! I've made it through 3 major surgeries with one lung heading for number 4. So, once again, we never say never and anything is possible. Again, I'm so sorry to hear you were/are in that terrible storm. Best wishes to you ALL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiredmom959 Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Praying for inflammation ... and, if not, for Tarceva to work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Don, I love and respect your analytical approach. I am praying, with you and GD, for a miracle. Love Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyr Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Don, sorry the results weren't what you wanted but at least it's slow growing, so that gives you some 'wriggle room' to fully explore your options. We all know you're in good hands with Dr West & I wish the very best for you. Good Luck & God Bless wendyr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazy Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 We need a miracle everyday...indeed! I will be praying along with everyone else for inflammation. And if not, I hope the Tarceva will do the trick! Hang in there, Don, and may you enjoy a lovely Christmas! I hear you were right next door this Thanksgiving! P.S. I LOVE the Grateful Dead - my daughter is even named Cassidy... Yours in HOPE!! Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Don, I certainly do hope that what you have is inflammation showing and not cancer. Wishing you the very, very best. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexan Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Don you know more than everybody, but ..... could be an inflamation. Best of the best hugs bucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursol Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Don, I'm hoping for inflammation for you, if not it sounds like you have a solid plan to move forward. I'm glad that the cancer is slow growing, mine too so far and I keep hoping it continues to stay that way. Lilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Don, you are one of my major inspirations. You're going to go on for a very long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myrnalu Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 thanks for the update.my prayers are with you too Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Tarceva and Iressa worked wonders for John-- I wish the same for you-- or inflammation, or a miracle. Sorry you are an evacuee, I hope you're home soon. To quote the Grateful Dead again, "what a long strange trip it's been." Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hearrean Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Wishing you all the best, John. My prayers are with you. Take care, Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Thanks for the update Don. Hopefully it is indolent, indolent, indolent. I know you are a scientist, but have you considered any of the visualization cd's or Ernie's vitamins? Maybe your body just needs a little extra nudge to whip up that immune system. Prayers, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Don, I hope you are recovering ok from the storm out there. It sounds like you and Dr. West have devised a good strategy for dealing with the slow growth, but hopefully it is just inflamation. Let us know when you are back in the world of the connected, Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Hi Don, As usual I was hoping for better news. So now its just wait and see. I pray the Tarceva does the trick. I feel so bad that you had to ivacuate from your home. I hope you can get home soon and find no damage. Meanwhile, enjoy being with you son. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Prayers Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 8, 2007 Author Share Posted December 8, 2007 Hi and thanks for your support everyone. I did not have to evacuate. I stopped by my son's house after seeing Dr. West... not because I had to evacuate. My oldest son lives not too far from Seattle. I did have one tree fall on an old shed that I don’t care about. There was mostly wind damage around here. My house is ok. I still don’t have power and it may not be restored for a week more, so I bought a generator and can go on line and watch tv now. I have a fireplace insert with lots of firewood stacked in the garage so, the living room stays warm enough. Someone sent me a pm today and it does not show up in my inbox. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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