stand4hope Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 We met with hubby's oncologist this afternoon for test results. Basically, everything is still stable, and we are pleased. We would have liked to have seen some shrinkage here and there, but we will take stable and smile. The CT was of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, which was the first time the abdomen and pelvis were scanned, so there was no real comparison other than to the PET done last May. The CTs of those areas showed multiple bone mets in spine, ribs & pelvic area with bony destruction consistent with those mets. I knew about the mets, but didn't like hearing the words "bony destruction". The pleural effusion (small) is unchanged. "Moderate pericardial effusion persists". The PET showed an overall reduction in uptake, although everything is still there. I JUST WANT IT TO GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!! I know these results are good, however, my heart doesn't seem to be catching onto the pleasure. I guess it's because I was so hoping for shrinkage. Well, going to go cook him a big dinner. Love to all, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Peggy I know you could be happier, but happy is good, too! You know, you did a mighty fine job of reading the scans! What did you find that decreased uptake means? love (what's for dinner?) elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Peggy, I know what you mean about hoping for something greater. But stable really is a good thing. I remember each time our onc gave us that result, feeling happy, but a little disappointed, but I think back on it now, and stable results really gave us about a year with little treatment and few worries. I am grateful for it. But CONGRATULATIONS. This is really good results. Plus a decreased uptake, as I've heard it explained is really a good indicator of what is there being weakened and less dense. These are all good things. Have you talked to a radiation onc about radiating the bone mets. We've talked to our radiation doctor a few times (Keith's had radiation twice now and will be starting WBR on Monday) but we've also talked about the possibilities concerning bone mets. Our rad onc did say he would radiate bone mets even if it wasn't for pain relief or pallative care because bone mets respond well to radiation. Knock those puppies out of there before they can cause any seriuos degeneration. You are always in my prayers God Bless Carleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Peggy, Stable is very good, Greater news may be coming soon. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 25, 2004 Author Share Posted September 25, 2004 Thank you for the responses! Elaine: I didn't get an answer - the onc wasn't very friendly today. Carleen: His radiation oncologist (not the primary onc. that we saw today) told us they don't want to radiate those two big mets on his spine unless they get painful or cause problems. The reason is because the spine can apparently only take a limited amount of radiation - too much radiation can seriosly damage the spinal cord. If they radiate now, they might not be able to radiate later if it's needed for pain. Thanks again everyone! Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Sounds like overall good news. As I tell my patients, a person can live forever with stable. Gratz! As far as the radiating asymptomatic bone mets (also referred to as "spot-welding"), another down side is that every time you radiate, especially spine and back, you are permanently killing off some bone marrow. If chemo is needed later, would be nice to have all the functioning bone marrow you can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Dear Peggy, I am sorry to hear that the results of the scans were'nt up to your expectations. We always hope and pray so hard don't we. AS Carleen says though, stable is good too.Thanks for the info on the back radiation, I was wondering why our Doctor didn't get busy and radiate Dave's spinal mets. Lots of love to you all and have a Happy weekend. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Sounds like overall good news. As I tell my patients, a person can live forever with stable. Gratz!. Wow....that is a nice way to look at stable! I hope he has a very long course of stability only to be interrupted by regression shrinkage and disappearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 LOL, Lisa!! THAT rocked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Stable is a good thing to be celebrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Peggy, Stable is always great news.I'm very glad for both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Peggy- The report could have been worse, but I understand your heartache for your loved one. I'm glad that he will feel like eating a big dinner and that you are up to fixing one. Enjoy! I'll keep prayers coming for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Peggy, I know you wanted shrinkage because that is what I would have wanted as well. However, I loved the way oncodoc put it about living forever with stable. Hope you enjoyed your big dinner and would appreciate any leftovers that you might have being mailed to _________,Al. My mother had a sign in her kitchen that said "Kitchen closed on account of I am tired of cooking" I wish I still had it to put in my kitchen now. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Stable is good Peggy, so glad for you guys. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patut Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 As we found out in this household, stable IS good. Yea, and if it continues forever, so be it, right? ( as the good oncon doc said) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Peggy, that's great news! Hope there will be shrinkage next time! Keep up the fight!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Happy Dancin' for STABLE!!! :) :) Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaffie Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Peggy, Looks like oncodoc has given us a new meaning for the word stable Happy for the good news and hoping next time it will be even better! Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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