cat127 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Well unfortunately today did not go as we had hoped. I knew the minute I saw the surgeon at the waiting room door, it was too soon. When he launched into a short dissertation on the anatomy of the left lung, I was certain. The tumor was not able to be removed with just the upper lobe, there was some invasion into the lower lobe. And he would not do a pneumonectomy. Difficult news to hear for sure, especially given how difficult the decision was for Kelly to come to. But we had to try and get the tumor. I hope she doesn't regret having tried, because it was just something we had to try and do. Now, back to the oncologist and time for plan B. This is one of the many things I hate about cancer. The way it throws things in the road that make you have to stop and change direction. But change direction we will and we will keep on fighting. Still several drugs in the arsenal to try! Thank you all for all the kind thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support you are giving Kelly! She's a bit new at the message board concept and it was a big step for her to come on and talk to folks. Maybe she'll talk more once she's home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Oh Cat - I am so sorry to hear this news. I know how difficult this decision was for her and I am sorry that the surgery couldn't proceed. She is so very lucky to have you on her side - you are optimistic and yet balanced in your approach. The prayers will continue that Plan B is the magic bullet! Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I am so sorry she wasn't able to have the surgery. I hope they can come up with a good plan b to kill that pesky thing. Keep us posted on what is next for her. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Cat,I am sorry the surgery wasnt a go but hopefully plan b will do the job. Prayers and thoughts.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Sorry the surgery was a no-go. Hopefully now the docs have enough first hand info to know how to approach this better. I know you all must so very disappointed. I think you just had to go for this though. And now there will be no second guessing that MAYBE surgery should have been the route to go. Hope Kelly is feeling better soon. Tell her we're all asking about her and hoping for the best. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Cat - I am so sorry that the surgery did not go as expected. What a disappointment for the both of you. Let her know we are praying for her, and of course, for you, too. You are the best sister!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Sorry it did not work out Cat. Hoping plan B is a hit though. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I'm sorry that the surgery couldn't be done. Let's hope Plan B is successful. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max L Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Inez and I are so sorry that things did not go as you had hoped. We have you in our thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I am very sorry to hear that the surgery did not happen. Hopefully the oncologist will find the right treatment to reduce and kill the cancer. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Oh Cat-- I am so sorry to hear this but I know that you and your sister will keep fighting. There are a lot of good Plan Bs out there...I know you guys will find the right one. My thoughts are with you and your family. Best, Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 So sorry Cat, this is very depressing news but at least she is still a candidate for surgery and that way they can try to get it all. Let her know that many people on here would trade places with her in a heartbeat if they could have surgery even if it meant losing a whole lung. They thought Joel would lose his lung and we accepted that but when they went in they were actually able to just do a lobe. We were so relieved by that. Unfortunately, they had to operate the following year on his good lung to do a wedge section. There was no hesitation on his part he just wanted it out. PERIOD! So what I am saying is there is always that uncertainty how much will be lost but it is what it is and we have to do what we have to do. Understand? There are so many one lungers here who are doing just fine. You are such a wonderful brother and such a positive influence on her. Tell her to NEVER GIVE UP!! Keep a fighting spirit that is the only way to win. Have faith....It doesn't get you around trouble.. it gets you through it. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollfinn Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Kim~ Remember, I too was "on the table" when they said surgery was no longer an option. You lose it, then you press on! See my Happy Dance Post, 6 mo. later I am in remission! Pleaseeeeeeee send Kelly my best and I hope she can get home soon to get back here so we can tell her how proud we are of her. PS you too! Mary~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi Cat, Kelly is in my prayers. They cut her open I suppose.... Prayers for an easy recovery and a quick in and out of the hospital. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thank you all! I spent nearly all day in the hospital with Kelly. Her mood was actually pretty good. I heard her tell a friend, well I'll just have to be one of those people that wows them with how well I do on one of these drugs. Her oncologist came by, and we do really love him. But he sat on her bed while she was in the chair and just said "well this was a little disappointing". Kelly said to him "oh it's way more than a little disappointing". He just smiled. The king of the understatement, I called him. He looked at me and said "so he wasn't willing to just go for it?". I told him no, and explained exactly why and he was OK with that. He and I talked a bit about the possible options and then he said to Kel, well you have a few weeks to think about it, take time to heal, then you can come in and we can make plans. It's just so hard to see her in so much pain for what really is nothing. Though you are right Katie, we all just said "you had to try Kel, you had to give it a try or you would always have wondered what if". And she totally feels that way too. Though I think she'll feel it more when the chest tube, catheter and epidural come out. I told her how many folks were passing on their well wishes and good thoughts and she asked me to thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi Cat, I am so sorry. Maybe you said and I missed, but is cyberknife possible? Continued prayers for easy and painfree recovery for Kelly. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Cat So sorry the surgery did not work out. Please let Kelly know I am sending thoughts and prayers~ to you all. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 We have not talked to the cyberknife folks but I asked Kelly if she would like to at least go and talk to them and she said yes. So once she is out of the hospital and healing a bit more, I'm going to set up an appt as there is one in town. Not sure if she won't be very close to the max radiation that the field can take, but can't hurt to talk to them. Just found out that our niece, who is a nurse at the hospital where Kelly is, managed to get her moved to a private room. Good to have some connections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Cat--I'm so sorry that they couldn't get the tunor with the surgery. Another twist in a road already too twisted. I will keep her in my prayers. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. I am also IIIB and just posted today asking for some info on surgery. So just by doing that you and your sister should know that you helped someone. I've got an appt booked with a surgeon to explore any options I may or may not have. And am awaiting results from post treatment CT scans. I wanted to tell you that I have been offered a clinical trial assuming radiation and chemotherapy have had some positive impact. It's called the liposome vaccine. Very little risk and if I need to stop to go on something else then that can be done at any time. The trial has been in Canada with a small sample size (a little over 200) and is now being done worldwide. If you would like some more information on this trial let me know and I can send it to you. My prayers for a speedy recovery for your sister. You must be an awesome brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hi Cat; I think the cyberknife people will be able to help your sister. If the tumor is less than 4 cm and there is no lymph node activity, she should be ok. I had a 7 cm tumor with my ck and they could not give me the full strength dose. We were hoping to just get stability or shrinkage and not get collateral damage. I got pneumonitis anyway. It is still unclear if the ck is affecting my tumor, but it probably did not stop it. My tumor is an unusual one in that it resists treatment at every step. I am sure you sister would have very good results. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinaresholz Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear that Kelly's surgery didn't go as planned and am hoping that they can come up with something else to help her. Who knows, it may still be possible in the future. Prayers and hugs for you both!! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Hi Cat, Just stopping by to ask how Kelly's recovery is going. Hope things are well -- I think about you two. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Hey there. She's home and recovering slowly. Sort of bites that she's going through all the pain and recovery but without the actual lobectomy. But her spirits are good and she's ready for the next step. Which reminds me I should call the oncologist and make an appt with him for the same day that she has a follow-up with the radiation oncologist. The med onc was in several times at the hospital so he and I have already talked a bit about what the next move should be. The rad onc stopped in specifically on his day off to see her because my niece and I ran into him at a pub and told him she was in there. He is such a nice guy and just wanted to stop and tell Kelly to keep fighting and that he felt confident she'd respond well to whatever treatment we started. Thanks for asking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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