dchurchi Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Well sort of a mixed bag of results for Alan. PET/CT show recent Mets are essential unchanged, therefore stable which is good. There is now a new focal area of increased activity in his lower left chest wall behind the ninth rib. Did not show up real "hot" so they are calling it "possible metastasis or trauma", so I think just keep a close eye on this spot. Alan now has New moderate amount of right pleural effusion. More than likely this is what has been causing the increase in shortness of breath. I am not very experience with the pleural effusion as Alan has not had this in the past. So any of you that can help with that area please fill me in. Meet with medical oncologist on Tuesday to map out our next course of action. Overall Alan has been feeling pretty yucky. The other day he said he is tired of living his life this way. After all he has been through can't say as I blame him. I will update more after we meet with the Dr. Prayers to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Prayers right back, so you could post good news after the visit to the oncologist next Tueasday. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Debbie and Alan Many prayers for you both. I am sorry the results were not better. Hoping the next course of action will be THE ONE.. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjolaw Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I will be keeping you in my thoughts! My mom was diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion. We brought her to Mayo and they inserted a pleurex catheter. It is a wonderful contraption for people with large pleural effusions!!! She was able (with assistance from my dad) to drain her own fluid every day without going to the doctor. It helped prevent alot of complications I believe. Once she started chemo and the fluid stopped accumulating (the first chemo) she had the catheter removed. I wish you the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 (((Debbie & Alan))), Wish the scan results could have been exactly as you wished. Hope the oncologist will have a plan that will make Alan feel much better. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you , always. Hugs, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I'm sorry that Alan has to feel that way, but I do understand. I will be wishing for a good treatment plan for him and a lifting of his spirits. MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce u Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Wishing for good news from the oncologist for the new plan. All the best Debbie and Allan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Debbi Iam sorry to hear that news about Alan. He has neen throgh so much, my heart goes out to you both. I pray for better news once they get this issue taken care of. I can't help you in that department, but Iam sure there are other who can. Hang in there, you are a amazing woman to stay so strong for him. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Hi Debbie, Mixed bags are tough to handle or understand. I'm sorry. I'm sure Alan is very tired of all of this -- you too! God bless you both. What would you like to know about pleural effusion? Tony had 23 thoracentesis procedures done. The majority of the time (until the end) his effusion was not malignant. The first bout was caused by the long term taxotere use, when he had the least amount of cancer. It took months and plenty of thoracenteses. Another line of therapy ended up chasing it away for a time. (Radiation is also an irritation factor that can cause effusion.) The second bout was the cancer coming into play and more thoracenteses had to be done. Pleurodesis or catheters are the other two options. Tony refused pleurodesis and catheters weren't thought to be a great solution in his case. I think there is a lot to weigh about how long he has been battling this, his overall strength, coupled with how intrusive of a procedure he wants to deal with at this point. (Tony said no one was going to put a chest tube in him ever again. -- Okay sweetie, step away from the knife drawer -- nobody is touching you. lol ) Tony tolerated the thoracentesis procedure extremely well, so that was how we handled this issue. We knew by his breathing when he needed another tap and had a routine with the lung doc. He eventually developed loculation, so even tapping didn't resolve everything. There is always a risk of collapsed lung, but he only had a partial collapse one time -- very late in the game. If you want more info, feel free to write. May God give you wisdom on your next decisions, Debi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Please know that I am thinking of you both and sending positive thoughts your way. Prayers Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 (((((((((((((((Alan and Deb))))))))))))))))))) WIshing you the very happiest and best right now!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Debbie--why it is that so often when we get good news it has to come with some not so good news. I will keep Alan in my prayers. Hopefully it is just trauma and not a new rob met. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teriw Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Debbie, Prayers for you and Alan. Hoping to hear some good news from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 So sorry to hear that Alan is feeling so crummy. I certainly understand his feeling the way he does. When one feels poorly sometimes it just seems all too much. Hopefully the doc will have some plan of action to help him feel somewhat better. You guys have been such an awesome team. It must be difficult for you seeing you guy struggle. Many good thoughts, wishes, and prayers are always offered for you. Hope to hear an update with some hope soon. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Praying that you get some uplifting news from the doctor. Also praying that Alan begins to feel better....physically and emotionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 sending prayers that things start looking up for you soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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