Maryanne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Ok step one done... Went to the Pulmonary Doctor. He said Joel's lung function is good and he has 75% breathing capacity and he could go through another operation with no problem. He doesn't seem to be too keen on cyberknife. He just feels that if it could be cut, cut it out and do chemo. He did relent as we were really adamant at the cyber knife and he said try it but if it does not get good results fast then do the operation. He said.... wait till you hear this one... that Joel could function very well if they removed the whole right lung. Now he had a wedge section there... and before that they removed a lobe for the left lung. I just thought that was kind of nutzy to say. I mean that would only leave him with 2 lobes on the left side nothing on the right.. DUH.... Sounds to me that might be like oxygen time... no way, Jose'!!! We are still waiting for a confirmation number so he can get the Pet taken. The cyberknife office called and he has an appointment there on Aug 1st (his B-day) But before that he will talk to his surgeon (who did his previous two operations) on the 28th. We probably won't have the pet by that time, but we have CT scan. We saw nodule it’s pretty prominent. There is scar tissue there but it seems to be pretty far away from that area. Anyway, one down... plenty to go By the way.... thank you for all your responses and prayers...greatly appreciated!! Maryanne I emailed Dr. West about this and this is his response. Maryanne, I couldn’t be less enthusiastic about the process of another lung surgery in someone who has had two prior ones. There are only two lobes on the left side, so if he were to have the entire right lung removed, I agree that it would be remarkably challenging. And after several prior surgeries and another nodule, I would have almost no confidence that there won’t be another nodule somewhere down the road, I’m afraid. For this reason, I would be far, far more inclined to consider cyber knife than an actual repeat surgery. My general approach is to do as little as needed to eradicate the visible cancer – and the cyber knife approach would allow far more lung to remain functional. -Dr. West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonjo Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Maryanne and Joel, I am keeping everything crossed so that you don't need surgery. Keep us posted! God Bless, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi Maryanne. My apologies for missing your first post. Not good news but sound like you have a good solid plan. My positive thoughts and prayers to you and Joel.. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Wishing you guys a good result! Keep us posted on how it all goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Continuing with positive thoughts and prayers. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 MaryAnne Still keeping Joel in my thoughts - hopefully cyberknife will be the ticket for him!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Once again Dr. West brings the strong, clear light of reason to bear on a question others have managed to muddle. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I am keeping you both in my prayers and sending positive thoughts to you both. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hey guys, Maryanne, I know you have all wheels in motiion to to research and decide upon what the very best plan should be at this time. So I am more than confident that whatever the decision, it will be made with all the facts before you. And we do know that once there is an actual 'plan' things just seem to progress better. I'm just bummed that you gotta do all this another time. Fred and I are just 'up the road' so be sure to give a shout out for anything you feel we could do. Love and support, Kasey and Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 hang in there guys...keep us posted....You know you have all the prayers and support we can provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Gotta join the rest of the Del Val lunch bunch. Joel all things crossed, all good wishes coming in your direction and many prayers headed north for only the best. Hopefully this is just a scary bump in the road. Let us know. We love you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teriw Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Maryanne & Joel, Wishing for the best results possible from the cyberknife and follow-up treatments. Thinking of you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbb Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Maryanne & Joel, My very BEST Wishes to you for a successful treatment. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leela Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Wishing you guys the best in whatever path you take. Hugs, Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Sending lots of prayers for Joel. Hang in there you two. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Maryanne & Joel, My prayers for both of you as Joel goes through cyberknife and after. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Maryanne, So glad you talked Joel into the cyberknife. As far as I'm concerned, Dr West walks on water. I'd follow his advice any day and in Joel's case it was perfectly clear. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Maryanne: Sorry I missed your earlier posting (just now saw this one--have been out on "hall pass"), and sorrier yet that you and Joel will be going through this whole mess again. Cyberknife decision sounds good (I'd be worried in future about judgment of doc advocating further surgery first!). Sending all possible positive thoughts your way! Affectionately, Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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