brokenarrow Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Monday I had a regularly scheduled appt with my oncologist to learn the results of my quarterly PET scan done 10-5-09. My quarterly PET has revealed a new tumor in my left upper lobe. I would estimate it to be about the size of my thumb. Without biopsy we're unable to determine if this is the same type of cancer or not, that I had in the right lung and adrenal gland. That said, it's no doubt that it is a cancer so we'll let the boys in the lab poke sticks at it AFTER we cut it out. I meet with the thoracic surgeon at 1:30 PM today and with the pulmonologist at 2:15 PM tomorrow. I continue to believe that aggressive treatment is the way to go when it's an option, so I'm doing everything I can to expedite the surgery to remove it. It is near the periphery of the lung so the potential for surgical complications should be much less than that of the original tumor. I will let the oncologist, surgeon and pulmonologist determine if they can remove only the section of lung containing the tumor or if they'll need to remove the whole lobe. it's the largest of the lobes, so I hope they can just wedge out the affected area but ultimately, I will rely on their advice for this particular decision. These three are all experts with excellent intelligence and excellent common sense and even after knowing them for a couple years now, I still like and respect all three very much. The oncologist and I haven't discussed much about follow up therapies, but I feel confident that we'll do something, even if it's just Avastin therapy once I get healed up. We'll see. A lot will depend on the biopsy report. On another note, my stomach continues to show "warm" on the PET scans. I had an endoscopic ultrasound done a month ago to see what was going on with it, but the gastroenterologist said everything looked perfect from endoscopic visual and ultrasonic exams. Time will eventually tell. That's it. I'll do my best to update as appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I'm really sorry to hear this! I had somewhat the same experience, tho. About a year and a half after my first surgery/chemo (staged 1B) a 2.8 cm tumor was found in the other upper lobe. I saw the surgeon and pulmonary specialist ASAP. The surgeon ordered a PET scan first and, of course, it lit up. Three weeks after the bad-news scan, I had surgery to remove the lobe. I decided to followup with chemo again. The Onc. and surgeon called it a new primary. My first surgery was in June 2003 and the second one in Nov. 2004. I'm doing fine and I'm sure you will too. Sorry for the setback. I'll be sending positive vibes your way. Let us know your surgery date. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Well that just blows Will!! I will be thinking of you and sending prayers and positive thoughts you way. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Baker Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Dang, sorry to hear that. Hopefully, it's just a solitary nodule. Let us know what the docs find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Really sorry to hear this news. Love the attitude and promptness of your doctors. Keep us posted please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Sorry about the bump in the road, Will. I'll put in my vote for a new primary. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Well crap, crap and more crap Will. Sorry for this latest setback. But you know what they say - ya can't keep a good man down". I know you will come through this with flying colors. Keep us posted. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyjohn Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 i just saw this Will. Please know that my positive thoughts are with you. I am so glad to see that you are positive and being aggresive. Keep us informed. Lillian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Dang Will, and I thought you just took a second to stop in the Air and say hi. Well now, you sound like you're on top of things there so we'll just wait for your updates. I'm with Ned on the hope for a new primary. Muriel has done so well for so long and we know you will too. Still, it's no fun facing another round with this disease. Hang in there guy. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Will, I hope your newest chapter follows the outline Muriel has established. Just a bump in the road that has nothing to do with the original detour... Best of luck to you, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenarrow Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 OK, Lily... Unless the pulmonologist stops the train, and I don't see that happening, we'll do surgery Tuesday coming. I see the pulmonologist tomorrow afternoon so he can bless the plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Will, I'm sorry you are having to go through this again, but glad it was found early enough to do something about it. You have my prayers for your upcoming surgery. Hugs, sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Will, Get it done and keep on moving. Seems like how you operate. More power to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenarrow Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Pulmonologist visit went well. He said that I still have very good lung function for all that they have suffered. So labs tomorrow evening and everything is a go for Tuesday early. Might be a few days before I can post. All will be well though. I'm in good hands. Here and Above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstdzy Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Sending prayers! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 I have been thinking of you today too Will - adding my prayers! Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Sorry I am late to post -- by now you should be out of surgery. I hope it all went well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 You have prayers from me as well Hope to hear from you soon with an update. (((HUGS))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbvh Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Prayers for you Will. Hope all went well today. BarbVH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Thinking of you Will. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenarrow Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Home and doing GREAT! Surgeon was able to remove about a one inch diameter adenocarcinoma via thorocoscopy and wedge resection, leaving most of the left upper lobe in place. Surgeon believes it to be a new primary, pulmonologist believes it to be additional secondary. Oncologist hasn't weighed in on that yet. Will be scheduling appt with oncologist ASAP to hammer out a forward plan. Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes. There is no question in my mind that those prayers are what enables me to do so well. Will update after talking to onc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 That's great news, Will. I had surgery twice (18 mo. apart) and I never decided which would be best - a new primary or recurrence. Oncs couldn't decide which I had for a while, but now (5 yrs. after the second surgery) they're calling it a new primary. Hope you have a quick recovery! Remember to take your pain pills before you start hurting 'cuz they work better that way. Sending more prayers. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce u Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Great news Will that the surgery went so good. Hopefully the recovery will continue as good and you get that plan in place. I agree with Muriel about not waiting too long for the pain meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Im happy you are doing well and had a successful surgery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Will, thanks so much for updating us so soon after surgery. Guess you were afraid that with so many of us hanging, the thread would break lol! Glad you came through with so much of the lobe intact. Another primary, another secondary--whichever, we know you'll come through with flying colors. Let us know when they have that plan in place. Hope you have minimal pain. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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