JustEA Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I saw the oncologist today and the final report from Mayo is in. The tumor in my left lung was a metastases. It is a large cell carcinoma. The good news is...no more surgery...except to put in a port for chemo. Which will begin June 2nd after our return from DC. I also went to see the radiology oncologist who has decided that I am a candidate for Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery. This will be done before leaving for California on May 7th. I will be going tomorrow to be marked and tattooed for this procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hi, EA, I'm glad you have a plan. In case you haven't been to cancergrace.org recently, you can check this link, which is Dr. West's answer to your question: http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php ... 238#msg238 Sounds to me like he was tending to favor chemo but no surgery even if your left lung biopsy remained inconclusive. Now it's definitely the right decision. By the way, I noticed in your profile that you're going to DC for the Memorial Day POW/MIA event. You mentioned the Wall, which must mean Vietnam, and I was wondering what your connection is to the POW/MIA effort. Your husband, or a relative? I flew in Vietnam, "up north" many times (100, to be exact), but I didn't get shot down though things got a little dicey at times. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEA Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thanks for letting me know about Dr. Wests reply. I'm glad he didn't think another surgery was in order. I feel good about the Stereotactic Radiosurgery. A less invasive way of accomplishing the same result. ONE thorocotomy was more than enough for me. My husband is a Viet-Nam Vet that is 100% disabled from agent orange exposure. Navy, hauling drums of AO. We travel with the NVAR (National Veterans Awareness Ride) Bikers from accros the country meet in DC and on the Sunday before Memorial Day they gather in the Pentagon parking lot and go to The Wall. It is a very moving Parade. More than 350,000 bikes were in the procession last year. I'll send you some photos when we return this year. Tomorrow is my "Big Day" - They will be marking me and tattooing me for radiation. At last...one step forward! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Just EA, I'm glad to see you are being so proactive in what's going on with treatment. The port insertion was not a big deal for me and I was awake during the procedure.. God Bless! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEA Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I have a high tolerance for pain but I would really rather not be awake for the port insertion. Is that the norm? I feel I need to be pro-active, when I went back through my records and asked for all my tests and reports for the last two years, I discovered that the mass on my right lung has been there for two years and that the radiologist reccomended that it be followed up. Which it was not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I went with my sister to have her port installed for breast cancer chemo, and she was given general anesthesia. She said it wasn't any big deal, and she wasn't in any pain afterwards, just a little woozy from the drugs. I'm glad there's a plan now, and good luck with your treatements. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEA Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thank you! The releaf is enormous. Finally moving forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hey JustEa, If I had to do it over again, I would ask to be asleep... The recovery was fine and no pain a tylenol wouldn't take care of... Keep Strong!!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrahDawg Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Just wanted to say best of luck in starting your new treatment also tell your husband thank you for his service and lastly from a fellow biker Ride On! When times get tough just think how great that wind in your face feels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEA Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I thank you and my husband thanks you. Ride on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 hey there EA. So glad to hear you have a treatment plan. Your circumstances sounds very unique. And even better looks like timing will allow you to go on your trip. So I hope you enjoy that and then can get on to your treatment plan and kicking this thing. Take care Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Wow, so you two are part of "rolling thunder"? Which, for any folks who have never been here, it is a sight to be seen, and heard! I'm hoping my brother (an Army Viet Nam era vet) will come down with his Harley this year. Our oldest brother was a Navy vet of Viet Nam, was on a river boat and saw more action than I think he would like to remember. Well very cool that you will be here for that great event, and very great that you have a gameplan in place for you next treatment step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 "JustEA" ...My husband is a Viet-Nam Vet that is 100% disabled from agent orange exposure. Navy, hauling drums of AO. We travel with the NVAR (National Veterans Awareness Ride) Bikers from accros the country meet in DC and on the Sunday before Memorial Day they gather in the Pentagon parking lot and go to The Wall. It is a very moving Parade. More than 350,000 bikes were in the procession last year. I'll send you some photos when we return this year. Please do send some photos! I can help you post them in the new "Member Photo Album" forum if you like. One thing that impresses me about your attitude is that you're not allowing this cancer hurdle to paralyze you. It's just another of many challenges in your life, and while you'll be doing aggressive treatment, you're working that around other priorities such as the DC event. That's terrific, and I'd love to give you the biggest hug!! Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.