stand4hope Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 The results of my husband's chest CT scan were stable. His last scan was only 6 weeks ago and he's only been on Iressa for 5 weeks, but still we were very happy to hear that word. The liver met is a little smaller and the pericardial effusion is about the same. The Zometa seems to be helping his bones. His shoulder is still feeling ok, too. My husband describes it as "not being 100%", but definitely no pain and he needs no pain medication. He also isn't having any pain in any of the other areas where cancer was detected on the PET Scan. He really is feeling very well right now and will continue with Iressa and Zometa. The onc was kind of a smart *ss today, but that's for a different discussion. I think he must have pulled an all-nighter at the hospital or something because he didn't seem to have a lot of patience for our questions, which is unusual for him. We see him again in 30 days, but won't schedule another chest CT for 2 or 3 months, depending on how hubby is doing in 30 days. He said we won't schedule another brain MRI unless hubby starts to have symptoms there again. The onc said it was unlikely that anymore treatment could be done to his brain, but we would talk about it if he has trouble there again. I've been away from the board all week, so I'm going to try to catch up on a few posts. It sounds like there's a lot of good news and a lot of not-so-good news out there. Love to all, Peggy P.S. I wish I could come to the Michigan party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Peggy, Stable is good I am glad to hear it! Your onc probably had a bad day. Waiting to hear what he said in another post, but at our last visit we noticed the onc was not in as good of a mood as normal, it was later in the day. We all have our bad days Who cares as long as the treatment and care works Look forward to hearing more from you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Peggy, Seems like overall, you guys got good news! Im glad to hear it Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Dear Peggy, How I have missed you!! Thank God for the good results of your husbands and that he is feeling good. If he is able, get out and do some of the things he likes to do and enjoy life a little. I am praying for a miracle daily for him. Love to you both and to that not so easy son of yours LOL God Bless You All, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Peggy Was just about to post to see if anyone had heard from you. Sounds like good news, huh? And no pain is great. Enjoy!!! You both deserve it. Pls don't spare us the a-hole Dr story. It helps knowing others have assholes (for doctors), too. I see you are practicing usind the word cleanser feature of the board! Good for you! love elaine Apparently the word cleanser feature isn't working any longer.???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted July 17, 2004 Author Share Posted July 17, 2004 Well, ok, I guess this is as good a place as any to tell the "doctor story". My husband started this whole ordeal with a very bad headache, which led to the discovery of the brain mets, which led to the discovery of a 6-7 cm. tumor in his left lung, which was biopsied. This was on Aug. 8, 2003. Well, all the subsequent CT scans have NEVER mentioned the tumor or its size. There are all kind of comments about consolidation, the "a" word for collapse (sorry, I can't remember it), effusions, mid-line shift, liver met, etc., etc., but NOTHING about the original tumor. At one of our meetings, I asked the doctor about the tumor. His answer was "Oh, it has reduced significantly." Again today, the report didn't mention the tumor. I asked him why. I said everyone else I know says their tumor went from 6 cm. to 4.2 or something like that. He seemed irritated with my question. It was at the end of the day, and I'm sure he was tired. He said something about there not being a mass. I said, "Well, there was a 6 cm. mass to start with - how big is it now?" He said, "Who told you that?" I said, "You did". It was in the CT scan done at the hospital. He starts flipping through the chart and can't find it. We told him again, it was in August 2003. Finally, he found the report and said, "Well, I don't think it was a mass, I think it was consolidation." I said, "Well, there was a mass or they biopsied a bunch of consolidation." He said, "What biopsy?" At this point, my husband FINALLY chimes in and says, "Yeah, somebody better have a good reason for sticking that very long needle in my back." There was a student doctor in with us, and the onc rolls his eyes and says, "Well, let's get the CD back up there." So, out we go to the computer and he's flipping through the pictures and shows us the area where the tumor was - it's just a bunch of streaks now. He said, "Well, we pretty much took care of it - that's all that's left." My husband says, "So, it's gone." The onc says, "Well, no, it's not gone, it's there, but it's all broken up now, and remember, the radiation did most of this, so this doesn't have anything to do with the cancer in the rest of the body." The whole thing just irritated me. I'm sure he was tired, and I'm sure no changes needed to be made in treatment, but it's my husband's life we're talking about, and I just didn't appreciate the "eye rolling" and sort of implying that I didn't know what I was talking about. I am a very detailed person. You'd better not tell me the size, depth, location or date if you don't want me to know, Buster, because I'm going to remember it. Especially those things that I am incredibly focused on like my husband's lung cancer. Geesh! I promise you one thing, if he gets flippant like that the next time we go in, I'm going to speak up about it. We've been seeing him for a year, and we both trust him and have had a good relationship with him - BUT - he CAN BE replaced. Ok. End of story. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brm1949 Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Sorry to hear you are having Dr issues , but stable is good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Love that word... So glad things are going well. Sounds like the Iressa is working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Sounds like good news Peggy, even though after reading about the doctor I am a liitle confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted July 17, 2004 Author Share Posted July 17, 2004 Don't get me wrong about the doctor thing. He really is a great doctor and has always made himself available when we needed him. This little incident was just a one-time thing, and I'm thinking it was just because he was having a bad day. I have those, too, so he is forgiven. Also, a couple of people have asked me in PMs about the cancer everywhere else. Like I said, we won't be getting anymore brain MRIs unless he starts to have problems. The tumors are still there, as is the cancer in the bones, but scans for these areas won't be scheduled unless there are problems. The chest ct scans will continue every 2-3 months. We are just continuing to pray that the Iressa and Zometa continue to work. Lots of love and thanks to everyone, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 (((Peggy))) Stable is good news!! Hugs and a Happy Dance for the both of you. I know things are a little rough right now, but we are all here cheering you both on. Take time to enjoy each other. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 No pain is good too Peggy! So glad things are stable and long may the stay so. Love, Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osirus226 Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Stable is definetely one good word to hear! I hope that it continues to stay that way for many many years to come. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Hi Peggy So nice to hear some good news from you!!! Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Stable and no pain, that is good news. Glad to hear it. I understand about the medical people - ours are good, too, and caring, but sometimes they seem so tired. It must be a really really hard job physically and emotionally. Sometimes they even make little mistakes but I just remind them. (Mistakes are scarey.) I keep it neutral. I usually give them a list of concerns they can keep and refer to and I am not above calling back however many times, if needed. But we are still pleased with them over all. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Peggy, Glad to "hear" stable! That doctor needs to watch getting your Irish up! Whew...bad day or not, appointments like that may end with him having less to sit upon... xxoo, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Stable and no pain are good news, Hope the next visit will go smooth and that it was only one of those days for the doctor. Hugs J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Happy Dance, Happy Dance! Happy all is STABLE!!! That is really GREAT NEWS!!! How do you find the time to always be here for everyone and keep us all up to date on you and your wonderful hubby! I wish I could type as fast as you do, and I wish I could spend more time here too! Your a Doll! This is not a insult, just an observation! I'm jealous, I just wish I could do it! Congratulations on your WONDERFUL NEWS!!! Hugs, Connie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 So glad to hear stable and no pain. That is great news. I understand about the doctor visit..but like someone said...they are human and often have very trying days. I hope that you never need another bone scan or brain MRI...which would mean no progression. Keeping you in my prayers. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 Peggy, stable is good. Sorry you had a rough time with the onc. He must have had a bad day. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Peggy-- I am so thrilled to hear that your husband is "stable" and pain-free. My thoughts are with both of you. --Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Stable is good to here Peggy! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Hooray for "stable". Keep hanging in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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