Please go here - really about the surgery part. I am totally stressed. I need some real people to tell me that my mom can pull through the worst. Thanks.... http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=2526.0

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe I am making a sig line... :(

My mother/best friend (50 yr old)
End of May - pulled muscle?
6/4 GP said pulled muscle...relaxers and heat
7/6 back to GP pain worse. XRAY saw mass...sent for CT scan confirmed
7/10 onco confirmed mass and Dx Pancoast Stage III
7/13 PET Scan no Mets except on lymph node center chest next to tumor
7/15 onco appt... Stage IIIA Adenocarcinoma...Radiation and Chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) once a wk (5 wks) as long as tolerated and radiation everday for 7 weeks (here we are) :(
10/29 - Surgery (mets to tissue in back waiting on oncologist pathology to confirm)
11/3 - Hanging in there...ICU with pneumonia
11/9 Respiratory Failure - help!
1/12/10 - Home....still with walker and wheelchair - one day at a time
3/31 CT scan - NED
5/20/10 - Vestibular Hypofunction with Oscillopsia - her inner ear doesnt work. So she cant see straight or walk on her own. She is miserable :(

It is possible for your mother to pull through this. Although it all sounds like a comedy of errors, take comfort in the fact that she is being treated for every symptom they have found - low oxygen sats, pneumonia, etc.

Never, ever lose hope. No matter what, keep the thought in your mind that someone beats the odds and there's no reason it can't be your mother. Believe...and don't forget to breathe.

_________________
Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant. ~ Maya Angelou

Keep your fears for yourself, but share your courage with others. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

*Picture was drawn by son at age six (he's now NINETEEN) - see the little blonde knight in the corner? That's him...my "Dragon Slayer"

34 y/o (on diagnosis) NON-SMOKER
1/28/03: DX NSCLC Adenocarcinoma-Stage I or II
2/10/03: surgery to remove lower 2 lobes of rt. lung w/7 nodes (3 +)
2/12/03: new DX: Stage IIIa (T2N2M0)
3/11/03: MD Anderson - not impressed
4/1/03: Began 5 1/2 wks rad
5/9/03: Began Iressa (1 yr)
7/23/03: Ended Iressa - too many side effects
10/04/04: Turned 36 and still NED!
12/28/04: Clear CT scan
1/28/05: Two year anniversary of diagnosis
3/28/05: Clear
6/27/05: Clear
8/26/05: Clear
12/07/05: Clear
12/16/05: Brain CT - clear
1/28/06: Three year anniversary of diagnosis
4/17/06: Clear
8/21/06: Clear
9/27/06: Brain MRI - clear
1/28/07: Four year anniversary of diagnosis
2/21/07: Clear
08/22/07: Clear
02/10/08: Technically, five years cancer free.
02/27/08: All clear! Could it be "cured?"
02/25/09: Clear
01/25/10: X-ray and blood work
01/29/10: Clear (7 years!)
05/26/10: Son graduates from high school - never thought I'd see it!
10/16/10: Married Mr. Right
1/24/11: Clear (8 years)
Currently watching...and wondering.

My story: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=8192

I've heard of people with reactions as bad or worse pulling through and doing fine. I will keep your mom in my prayers.

Susan

_________________
76 year-old mom diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer January 5, 2007.

15 radiation treatments to the spine and four rounds of chemo, Jan-May, 2007.

Stable disease May, 2007-May, 2008.

Bone scan May, 2008 shows new mets in the spine, pelvis and ribs.

July, 2008--finished radiation and has a Quadramet treatment.

October, 2008--Scans show mild progression. Began chemo (carbo/taxol/avistin). Will have four rounds of threatment (every 21 days) and scan in January.

01/05/2009--TWO YEAR SURVIVOR!

4/2009--STABLE! No treatment. Next scan in July

7/2009--Scan shows pleural effusion. Fluid drained and malignant. Cancer has spread to other lung and a 13 mm lesion is seen on the liver. Mom to begin Alimta on 8/3

11/2009--Alimta was hard on mom and scans showed progression.

12/2009--began Tarceva, noticed almost immediate improvement.

2/25/2010--Celebrated Mom's 80th birthday!

5/15/2010--Mom watched her oldest granddaughter graduate from college and then paritied well into the night! She's still feeling great.

6/15/2010--Mom watched her youngest granddaughter graduate from high school. Still feeling great!

8/2010-10/2010--Mom begins feeling tired and stays in bed more and more. Scans reveal that the cancer is moving rapidly throughout her body.

10/13/2010--Mom wins her battle once and for all, and passes to a place where the cancer can no longer touch her.

For a more detailed timeline see:

http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?p=360385#360385

My mom had a pneumonectomy (removed her left lung) October 13th, 2009. It has been a very difficult time for her as well as all of us who love her. Right after the surgery she went to CVICU and was on a ventilator. She was weaned off the vent within 24 hours. Her heart rate got up to 130-140, she spiked a temp several times. Her oxygen level dropped on nasal oxygen and she had to wear an oxygen mask. It was heartbreaking to watch her go through this. ESPECIALLY ME BEING A NURSE ... she remained in CVICU for 5 days and there were many emotional highs and lows for her and us. She finally was transferred to what is called "intermediate care" and seemed to be doing fine. She was discharged from the hospital October 20,2009 with Home Health care. Well, on October 23, 2009 we had to take her back to the hospital b/c of chest pain and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and probable pericarditis(infection around the lining of the heart). She was placed on 2 strong IV antibiotics. Several test were done and she was finally discharged October 29, 2009. She is home and seems to be doing fair (I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED). I said all of this to say I can empathize with you. This is such a monster of a disease and it has shaken me to the core. I wish I could solve this problem for my mom and your mom...HANG IN THERE...MOMMA NEEDS YOU

_________________
***Maternal Grandmother Ora died in 1995 from LC lived 5 years after diagnosis-refused treatment

***Maternal Grandfather John died in 2004 from LC lived 3 years after diagnosis-refused treatment

***My mother Millie diagnosed w/NSCLC(stg 2A or 2B) August 26th, 2009. Initially Mom refused treatment; finally agreed to see ONC-appointment 9/21/09

***9/23/09 Mom decided that she would fight this monster and AGREED TO HAVE SURGERY.

***Mom scheduled for PET Scan 10/2/09 and meets with the surgeon 10/5/09

***Mom's surgery scheduled for October 13th

***Surgery went well...Left Pneumonectony & radical lymphectomy...3 lymph nodes positive(pathology report indicates lymph nodes possible positive b/c of proximity to hilar tumor)

***Hospitalization...some problems encountered(fever, increased heart rate, low blood pressure)

***Mom discharged from the hospital October 20,2009 with Home Health care...Oxygen 3L per NC

***Mom back in hospital October 23, 2009, diagnosed with pneumonia and probable pericarditis(infection around the lining of the heart). She was placed on 2 strong IV antibiotics. Several test were done and she was finally discharged October 29, 2009.

***November 4, 2009-Mom home doing fairly well (I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED), No oxygen (SATs 98 w/o oxygen), hydrocodone for pain, duoneb & pulmicort updrafts...CHEMO expected after total recovery from surgery

***Chemo started 12/7/09 (cisplatin & taxol)

***12/14/09- 1st bone scan and Ct scan since surgery...NED is my best friend

***Mom received Mediport 12/17/09...good bye venous needlesticks

***December 2009-May 2010 Mom had 18 Chemo treatments: Taxol & Cisplatin-NEVER LOST ALL HER HAIR, NEVER EXPERIENCED NAUSEA & VOMITTING

***June 2010-SCANS---NED--- Next scans December 2010...PRAISE THE LORD.

***July 2010-Mom working part-time

PRAYING FOR STRENGTH...STRIVING TO BE LIKE CHRIST EVEN WHEN I'M FACED WITH ADVERSITY

Well we had to mom on a ventilator yesterday morning. She is in such a panicked/psychotic state that its best to keep her sedated (she gets violent and hysterical).

She looks good - lung are better than yesterday although I just spoke to the ICU nurse and he said they pulled a bit of gunk out this morning but not bad. He thinks she will be there for the next three days he would estimate.

He said she looks better than he expected and better than yesterday. My mom is very deceiving though - I thought we had this in the bag - until three days after her surgery, she declined so quickly. Anyway, no change really this morning...still zonked and vented.

For me - it seems no light at the end of the tunnel....I dont like not knowing and I am NOT a patient person at all. Plus my mom is my bestfriend and neighbor. Its always been just us girls....hard to imagine life without her.

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe I am making a sig line... :(

My mother/best friend (50 yr old)
End of May - pulled muscle?
6/4 GP said pulled muscle...relaxers and heat
7/6 back to GP pain worse. XRAY saw mass...sent for CT scan confirmed
7/10 onco confirmed mass and Dx Pancoast Stage III
7/13 PET Scan no Mets except on lymph node center chest next to tumor
7/15 onco appt... Stage IIIA Adenocarcinoma...Radiation and Chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) once a wk (5 wks) as long as tolerated and radiation everday for 7 weeks (here we are) :(
10/29 - Surgery (mets to tissue in back waiting on oncologist pathology to confirm)
11/3 - Hanging in there...ICU with pneumonia
11/9 Respiratory Failure - help!
1/12/10 - Home....still with walker and wheelchair - one day at a time
3/31 CT scan - NED
5/20/10 - Vestibular Hypofunction with Oscillopsia - her inner ear doesnt work. So she cant see straight or walk on her own. She is miserable :(

Sorry to hear about your Mom....I'm sending prayers for you both!

_________________
Jan 09 husband diagnosed with stage 3 adenocarcinoma.
Oct 09 passed peacefully at home after enduring a very difficult battle. I miss him dearly.

Thank you Michelle

Mom is still on a ventilator. The pneumonia is cleared up and she has gone from 80 O2 on the vent to 35. Her bloodwork has not changed since we started with this a week ago. If she doesnt come around by Thursday, the doctor is putting a tracheotomy. He is also considering paralyzing her since her breath rate is so high. Yesterday it was 45-55 (should be 15-20). Tonight when we visited it was 28-33. I kissed her and it spiked to 44 so obviously we shouldnt touch her.

OMG I already miss her so much I cant believe this is happening. The oncologist said it would be a slow process but geezzzzz....cant she get a break! My mom is such a good person - she doesnt deserve this, neither do my children! This is a nightmare!

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe I am making a sig line... :(

My mother/best friend (50 yr old)
End of May - pulled muscle?
6/4 GP said pulled muscle...relaxers and heat
7/6 back to GP pain worse. XRAY saw mass...sent for CT scan confirmed
7/10 onco confirmed mass and Dx Pancoast Stage III
7/13 PET Scan no Mets except on lymph node center chest next to tumor
7/15 onco appt... Stage IIIA Adenocarcinoma...Radiation and Chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) once a wk (5 wks) as long as tolerated and radiation everday for 7 weeks (here we are) :(
10/29 - Surgery (mets to tissue in back waiting on oncologist pathology to confirm)
11/3 - Hanging in there...ICU with pneumonia
11/9 Respiratory Failure - help!
1/12/10 - Home....still with walker and wheelchair - one day at a time
3/31 CT scan - NED
5/20/10 - Vestibular Hypofunction with Oscillopsia - her inner ear doesnt work. So she cant see straight or walk on her own. She is miserable :(

I'm so sorry...
(((hug)))

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

My heart goes out to you and your family and what you are going through. Like Susan said, we've seen many "worst case" scenarios here and seen people bounce back. That doesn't make it any easier to get through it though.

Judy in Key West

_________________
Cytology report on fluid removed from lung after pleural effusion and pneumonia Sep 07 showed adenocarcinoma cells. Dx IIIb NSCLC Oct '07 at MDACC, Orlando. Fol 6 rounds Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin and 2 Avastin, CT/PET 4/1/08 pleural thickening gone and no active cancer cells. 11/3/08 STILL NEVD. CT/PET/MRI 5/4/09 Cancer back, still in the pleura and chest wall, small amt of fluid, all in left lung.
5/11/09 Start on Alimta every three weeks.
7/13/10 Had Alimta on road in Corning NY.
8/24/09 Scans show some improvement. Continue on Alimta.
9/14/09 Chemo on road in Mt Holly NJ.
10/6/09 Started regular Alimta infusions in Key West.
11/3/09 CT and PET scans showed significant improvement. Some issues already resolved.
2/3/2010 No evidence of residual or recurrent disease. NED! Stay on Alimta.
5/6/10 Am considering myself still NED until/unless proven otherwise in July. Rabid radiologist thinks he sees something suggestive of similar to some abdominal cancer. No light up on the PET. Am hoping for the best. Stay on Alimta and scan in 9 wks instead of 3 mos.
7/8/10 Chest CT unchanged (NED Feb '10). Infiltration in the region of the omentum is probably slightly more prominent than before. Diverticulosis requiring antibiotics.
Jul, Aug, Sep, continued Alimta in Corning NY, Portsmouth OH and Mt Holly NJ.
10/14/10 Chest CT unchanged from Feb '10. Findings likely representing progressive nodular peritonal carcinomatosis in the midabdomen. Treatment changed to Tarceva started in Nov.
12/15/10 Chest CT unchanged. Abdomen changes compatible with peritoneal carcinomatosis again identified with mild progression noted.
3/16/11 CT chest unchanged. CT abdomen progression ascites (fluid). Progression of soft tissues nodularity on the peritoneal surface anteriorly with diffuse omental involvement.
4/13-15/11 Hospitalized at MDA. Removed 4 1/2 litres (8-9 lbs) of fluid from abdomen 4/14. Started on taxotere before release on 4/15.
5/16/11 Hospitalized for fever, neutropenic. Treated with intravenous antibiotic and antiviral. Given blood transfusion. Note that KW Cancer Center did not give me my Neulasta shot after my chemo on May 6. Onc had me cancel my 5/26 chemo until after my scan on Jun 6. Was discharged on oxygen. Test w/Dr Gerth 5/26 indicated I could go off sitting and sleeping O. Will do walking test 6/2.
6/2 Did not get requisite numbers on walking test. Left for Orlando 6/5 still on oxygen.
6/6/11 MRI normal; CT stable. Taxotere and Neulasta at MDA 6/7 and 6/8.
6/13/11 Appointment with Dr Olham in KW. Off oxygen week of 6/16.
8/8/11 CT scan showed stable with perhaps some lessening of fluid. Stay on Taxotere.
10/10/11 CT chest still clear, CT abdominal lining stable. Stay on taxotere.
12/19/11 CT chest clear, CT abdominal lining stable, MRI clear. Stay on taxotere.

My mom is still hanging in there. This past Tuesday - the surgeon said we should basically "pull the plug'. He thinks her shot of coming out of this is "non existent". Tuesday was devastating.

The pulmonlogist disagreed and said there is still hope and that it can take a long time. We havent tried to wean her yet so we need to at least give it a shot and not just turn the darn vent off.

So far so good. Everything is still in good shape for now. Still praying. Thanks for the warm thoughts and prayers!

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe I am making a sig line... :(

My mother/best friend (50 yr old)
End of May - pulled muscle?
6/4 GP said pulled muscle...relaxers and heat
7/6 back to GP pain worse. XRAY saw mass...sent for CT scan confirmed
7/10 onco confirmed mass and Dx Pancoast Stage III
7/13 PET Scan no Mets except on lymph node center chest next to tumor
7/15 onco appt... Stage IIIA Adenocarcinoma...Radiation and Chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) once a wk (5 wks) as long as tolerated and radiation everday for 7 weeks (here we are) :(
10/29 - Surgery (mets to tissue in back waiting on oncologist pathology to confirm)
11/3 - Hanging in there...ICU with pneumonia
11/9 Respiratory Failure - help!
1/12/10 - Home....still with walker and wheelchair - one day at a time
3/31 CT scan - NED
5/20/10 - Vestibular Hypofunction with Oscillopsia - her inner ear doesnt work. So she cant see straight or walk on her own. She is miserable :(

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. Your mom certainly sounds like a fighter! Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

_________________
Husband: Glenn, Stage IV Adenocarcinoma, both lungs, spot in left hip. Former heavy smoker. Quit smoking August '08!

11.18.09 Started maintenance chemo - alimta only.
10.30.09 - One year since we found out Stage IV. Cancer is STABLE with no progression!
August - October - long SLOW recovery. From bedridden to a walker to a cane, and now Glenn is walking and driving!
7.31.09 PET Scan shows improvement EVERYWHERE!
May-August 09 - MANY trips to the hospital for side effects from platinum chemo - autonomic neuropathy is the worst. Went to inpatient rehab.
4.15.09 Improvement with mets. 2 more rounds of Cisplatin/Gemzar/Avastin combo
2.12.09 Start Cisplatin,Gemzar, Avastin combo
1.29.09 PET Scan showed spot in hip sliightly larger and two new small spots in ribs
1.30.09 Bronchoscopy showed no new cancer in lungs
1.19.09 - follow-up CT Scan, two tumors shrinking, signs of lung infiltration - bronchoscopy scheduled
11.13.08 - Chemo begins- carboplatin, taxol, avastin, 3 wk cycles
10.31.08 - PET Scan - three masses, hot spots around pulmonary nodules, 1 hot spot in left hip
10.24.08 - Needle Biopsy - positive for adenocarcinoma
10.10.08 - Bronchoscopy - negative for cancer, infection
9.27.08 - Abnomal chest CT
9.25.08 - Abnormal Chest x-ray
9.24.08 - PCP for pneumonia
8.08 - feet swelling, both feet

My prayers for your mom and for you- continue.
I hate that you all are going thru this. Please keep us posted.
Hugs

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

Well - mom is still here - funky as can be. She ended up with another case of pneumonia (bacterial this time).

We held out and decided to give her one last shot. We decided to wean her from the vent slowly. Looks like she is handling her own. She is now on only wall oxygen through her trach (33% oxygen). She coughs a lot. The resp therapist put in her talking trach a couple days ago - she has put it to use for sure!

The nurses are calling her their miracle baby. We are working on physical therapy now to get her strength back. Come on Nanna!

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe I am making a sig line... :(

My mother/best friend (50 yr old)
End of May - pulled muscle?
6/4 GP said pulled muscle...relaxers and heat
7/6 back to GP pain worse. XRAY saw mass...sent for CT scan confirmed
7/10 onco confirmed mass and Dx Pancoast Stage III
7/13 PET Scan no Mets except on lymph node center chest next to tumor
7/15 onco appt... Stage IIIA Adenocarcinoma...Radiation and Chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol) once a wk (5 wks) as long as tolerated and radiation everday for 7 weeks (here we are) :(
10/29 - Surgery (mets to tissue in back waiting on oncologist pathology to confirm)
11/3 - Hanging in there...ICU with pneumonia
11/9 Respiratory Failure - help!
1/12/10 - Home....still with walker and wheelchair - one day at a time
3/31 CT scan - NED
5/20/10 - Vestibular Hypofunction with Oscillopsia - her inner ear doesnt work. So she cant see straight or walk on her own. She is miserable :(

Here is my take on this after walking the walk for five plus years: Do not cave into the negative.

Like Bill, you can give the stats a run for their money.

_________________
Bill died peacefully on March 25, 2010. He was very much loved, and will be sorely missed.

Link to "Bill's Story," and more detailed list of treatment regimens:

http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?t=37269

Photo: Barbara and Great Granddaughter KayMarie taken January 2010 at Rehab where Bill was gaining strength.

Prayers go up for blessings to rain down! Hope and pray for some continued good news!!!! every breath represents a fighting chance.

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

It sounds like your mom has a powerful will to survive and is gaining strength each day. I'm happy she is making progress. Please keep us informed and tell her that there are a lot of people here rooting for her.

Susan

_________________
76 year-old mom diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer January 5, 2007.

15 radiation treatments to the spine and four rounds of chemo, Jan-May, 2007.

Stable disease May, 2007-May, 2008.

Bone scan May, 2008 shows new mets in the spine, pelvis and ribs.

July, 2008--finished radiation and has a Quadramet treatment.

October, 2008--Scans show mild progression. Began chemo (carbo/taxol/avistin). Will have four rounds of threatment (every 21 days) and scan in January.

01/05/2009--TWO YEAR SURVIVOR!

4/2009--STABLE! No treatment. Next scan in July

7/2009--Scan shows pleural effusion. Fluid drained and malignant. Cancer has spread to other lung and a 13 mm lesion is seen on the liver. Mom to begin Alimta on 8/3

11/2009--Alimta was hard on mom and scans showed progression.

12/2009--began Tarceva, noticed almost immediate improvement.

2/25/2010--Celebrated Mom's 80th birthday!

5/15/2010--Mom watched her oldest granddaughter graduate from college and then paritied well into the night! She's still feeling great.

6/15/2010--Mom watched her youngest granddaughter graduate from high school. Still feeling great!

8/2010-10/2010--Mom begins feeling tired and stays in bed more and more. Scans reveal that the cancer is moving rapidly throughout her body.

10/13/2010--Mom wins her battle once and for all, and passes to a place where the cancer can no longer touch her.

For a more detailed timeline see:

http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?p=360385#360385

Your Mom is definitely a fighter. You must watch and wonder where she get the strength to stay at it. Miracle baby for sure! You hang in there now and keep us posted.

Just an idea, one of our members printed all the posts in response to her Mom's struggle and read them to her. She was delighted and astounded that so many people who don't know her except from a daughter's posts were rooting for her.

Judy in Key West

_________________
Cytology report on fluid removed from lung after pleural effusion and pneumonia Sep 07 showed adenocarcinoma cells. Dx IIIb NSCLC Oct '07 at MDACC, Orlando. Fol 6 rounds Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin and 2 Avastin, CT/PET 4/1/08 pleural thickening gone and no active cancer cells. 11/3/08 STILL NEVD. CT/PET/MRI 5/4/09 Cancer back, still in the pleura and chest wall, small amt of fluid, all in left lung.
5/11/09 Start on Alimta every three weeks.
7/13/10 Had Alimta on road in Corning NY.
8/24/09 Scans show some improvement. Continue on Alimta.
9/14/09 Chemo on road in Mt Holly NJ.
10/6/09 Started regular Alimta infusions in Key West.
11/3/09 CT and PET scans showed significant improvement. Some issues already resolved.
2/3/2010 No evidence of residual or recurrent disease. NED! Stay on Alimta.
5/6/10 Am considering myself still NED until/unless proven otherwise in July. Rabid radiologist thinks he sees something suggestive of similar to some abdominal cancer. No light up on the PET. Am hoping for the best. Stay on Alimta and scan in 9 wks instead of 3 mos.
7/8/10 Chest CT unchanged (NED Feb '10). Infiltration in the region of the omentum is probably slightly more prominent than before. Diverticulosis requiring antibiotics.
Jul, Aug, Sep, continued Alimta in Corning NY, Portsmouth OH and Mt Holly NJ.
10/14/10 Chest CT unchanged from Feb '10. Findings likely representing progressive nodular peritonal carcinomatosis in the midabdomen. Treatment changed to Tarceva started in Nov.
12/15/10 Chest CT unchanged. Abdomen changes compatible with peritoneal carcinomatosis again identified with mild progression noted.
3/16/11 CT chest unchanged. CT abdomen progression ascites (fluid). Progression of soft tissues nodularity on the peritoneal surface anteriorly with diffuse omental involvement.
4/13-15/11 Hospitalized at MDA. Removed 4 1/2 litres (8-9 lbs) of fluid from abdomen 4/14. Started on taxotere before release on 4/15.
5/16/11 Hospitalized for fever, neutropenic. Treated with intravenous antibiotic and antiviral. Given blood transfusion. Note that KW Cancer Center did not give me my Neulasta shot after my chemo on May 6. Onc had me cancel my 5/26 chemo until after my scan on Jun 6. Was discharged on oxygen. Test w/Dr Gerth 5/26 indicated I could go off sitting and sleeping O. Will do walking test 6/2.
6/2 Did not get requisite numbers on walking test. Left for Orlando 6/5 still on oxygen.
6/6/11 MRI normal; CT stable. Taxotere and Neulasta at MDA 6/7 and 6/8.
6/13/11 Appointment with Dr Olham in KW. Off oxygen week of 6/16.
8/8/11 CT scan showed stable with perhaps some lessening of fluid. Stay on Taxotere.
10/10/11 CT chest still clear, CT abdominal lining stable. Stay on taxotere.
12/19/11 CT chest clear, CT abdominal lining stable, MRI clear. Stay on taxotere.

Your Mom is amazing! Tell her Happy Holidays for me! And give her a kiss!

Dana

_________________
Mar. '08-Routine xray found Spot tip of upper left lung.
Dr orders CAT. growth confirmed.
Sent to Pulmonolgist who orders PET.
Pet results-my spot lights up like a Christmas tree.
Can't reach spot for biopsy referred to surgeon.
Surgical Biopsy scheduled for Apr. 28th '08
Apr. '08-Surgeon found SCLC, removed upper left lobe and surronding lymph nodes.
Everything biopsied no other cancer found, declaired NED by surgeon on Apr.28th '08
ONC wants me to start adjuvant therapy.
June '08-MRI brain scan and CAT NED
Chemo cisplatin/vp16 3 days every 3 weeks 4 sessions ended Aug. '08
Partial hearing loss due to Cisplatin
Sept. '08 1st CAT after treatment NED
Dec. '08-2nd CAT after treatment NED
Apr. '09-MRI (brain) and CAT NED
Aug. '09-CAT NED
Dec. '09-CAT and MRI NED
Apr. '10-CAT and MRI NED
Oct. '10-CAT and MRI NED
Jan. '11-XRay NED
Oct. '11-CAT NED