Again, a not so perfect report. I could strangle the PA who told me two days ago that the thing they were watching in the abdomen was improved. What an idiot. Even I could read the clearly stated "mild progression" in the thickening on the abdominal wall. Chest and lungs still clear. Oncologist wants to keep me on Tarceva awhile longer to give it more time. She pointed out that the thickenings (vs tumors) are difficult to measure and right now I have the complication of active diverticulitis or colitus. I bought some extra time again between scans because of my upcoming cruise in Feb. Will rescan in March and see where we are then. Just happy I won't be changing treatments before my cruise.

Judy in KW

_________________
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.

Well mild progression in the "wall" maybe it is related to the colon issues. I have to believe that mild is much better than evident especially since it won't be "progressive" in March! Sending good thoughts your way and keeping the worry here!
Annette

_________________
5/5/09 Bad Cough - sent for xray
5/6/09 CAT SCAN
5/8/09 Pulmonologist - not good ordered bronch
5/14/09 Bronc 5/19/09 Breathing test & Results - NSCLC (Adenocarcinoma 3cm)
5/22/09 PET Scan - 5/27 referred to surg & onc
6/2/09-met with surg & onc. They say there are two spots. One small on left lung and one larger one on right lung 3.6 x 3.2 cm - they are pretty sure and approaching it as if it were two separate cancers staging the right at II and the left at I.
June 15 - RML removed - Pathology - margins clear and nodes clear. June 25 follow up with surgeon - doc agreed to stage I since it appears he got it all - June 30 return to work
July 7 Oncologist says Stage 1A - we don't recommend chemo for this stage
Aug 17 - surgery - again took ULL and some nodes -
Sep 8 to onc - Both sides IA - no chemo just watch closely
Dec 15, 2009 - CT Results - NED
March 10th, 2010 - CT Scan - Results - NED
June 15th, 2010 - XRay - Results - NED
Sep 15th 2010 CT Scan - Results - NED
Dec 2010 XRay Only - Results - NED
Dec 2010 MRI - Results - Clear
March 2011 - CT Scan - NED
June 2011 - XRay Only - NED
Sept 2011 - Scan & Vampires - Scared to death!!!!

Judy,

Good to hear the lungs and chest are clear! The rest...well, think smooth abdomen (remember when we were concerned more with the exterior of our bodies?), gets lots of rest, and whatever else it takes to thin that wall.

Keep your eye on the cruise...where are you headed?

I've been off antibiotics for a few days now - wonderful. But when I need them, I need them badly. Hopefully not for awhile if ever again!

Hugs.

Enjoy that cruise, Judy. And as to all the rest ~ it will be what will be and I HOPE it will be better than what you expect. You know it COULD be. So let's hang onto that untli you get back from that great vacation. Will be thinking of you and sending the best vibes, and ALL I got your way, Judy.

Kasey

_________________
Kasey ~ 8 year survivor ~ Stage IIIb 'inoperable' (yea, right!) lung cancer
9/20/04 Dx lc
9/24/04 Bronchoscopy
10/08/04 CT guided needle biopsy
10/14/04 Dx Pancoast tumor - NSCLC 111a(?) - inoperable - incurable
11/02/04 2nd opinion - Sloan-Kettering - concurs with local dx and tx
11/03/04-12/02/04 Radiation x22 chemo x5 taxol/carboplatin
11/04 - 3rd opinion - FoxChase -turned away
11/04 FOUND LCSC & HOPE
11/04 4th opinion NIH - surgery possible
1/04/05 Successful surgery - RU lobectomy - all margins, nodes, and path reports are NEGATIVE
2/05 chemo x2 taxol/carboplatin
3/05 Esophagus stretched twice
4/06/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, NED
5/05 2 more esophagus stretches
7/13/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, brain MRI, NED
10/05/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/11/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/05/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
6/10/06 emergency appendectomy
7/12/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
9/26/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/10/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, CT, PET/CT scan, arm CT, brain MRI, NED
7/11/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
1/9/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT w/contrast.....mm 'spot' lower right lobe - watch and wait 3 months
4/8/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
10/14/08 bloodwork, urinaysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/15/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
10/13/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, NED
4/13-4/15/10 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, PFT, echocardiogram, EKG, stress test, NED
4/11-4/13/2011 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED
4/16-4/18/2012 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED

(((judy)))

Hi Judy,

Sorry it wasn't the words, "everything is perfect." Glad to hear your lungs and chest looks good. The thickening of the abdominal wall could just be the other issues you are dealing with. I have had thickening in the surgery area of my lungs for the past 2 1/2 years which turn out to be nothing. It is hard not to continue to worry, but it will be ok. You know how those Doctors like to keep you worrying!

Glad you are able to go and have a nice trip before your next scan. Take care and I will help Annette with the worrying.

Libby

_________________
43 yr old female with a 12 yr old daughter.
May 2007 - Diagnosed with stage 3A Squamous Cell NSCLC.
5/15/07 - In hospital to have left upper lobe removed. Stage and cancer type was confirmed. Removed several lymph nodes, 2 tested positive for cancer. Home after 5 day.
5/24/07 Went to Oncologist. Did CT/PET scans (praying they got all the cancer out).
6/4/07 Got results, lymph node by main artery showed cancer. Can not remove due to location. Good news was that there was no sign so far that it spread any further than that. Set up an appointment with Radiation Specialist.
6/15/07 Receive chemo every week for 6 weeks ( Carbo & Taxol) and radiation 5 days a week for six weeks, (33 radiation treatments were planned). We stopped at 30 treatments because of 2nd degree burns on my back.
Finished radiation and chemo on 7/26/07. Was in hospital and had 3 ½ weeks off of treatments.
8/15/07 Started chemo every 3 weeks for 9 weeks with larger doses.
9/28/07 Finish final chemo. Will have scans done 11/6/07 and see Dr. for results on 11/9/07.
11/07 Received results, cancer free. Was told this was a good sign considering the stage. need to follow up every 3 months with scans.
8/09 - Now receiving CT scans every 6 months, just had one in Aug so far no signs of cancer. Made the 2 1/2 year mark. Still problems with inflamation with lungs due to radiation damage.
3/10 CT scan no sign of cancer. What a relief!
7/10 still going strong no scan for 1 yr now, next scan is March, I am nervous waiting so long but I will survive. I am a survivor.
3/11 CT Scan, No signs of cancer. Thank you God.

Hi Judy,Sorry the results were not as good as you were hoping for. I will be saying prayers they will look much better come March!

_________________
Dxed nslc stage2b,Aug.05 had right lung and 17 nodes removed which 2 had shown to be effected.August 27,05 had surgery redone again to stop bleeding. Started chemo sept.05 as a precaustioary. Have 3 month visit followups and have been ned so far and am hoping and praying to stay that way.Grade3 squamous cell type(T2,N1,Mo)tumor 10.5 cemtimeters,1 peribronchial node and 1 10R node involved

(((Judy))), of course I wanted it to be a perfect report, but there is good news in that the lungs are clear. Will continue with the prayers that the "thickening" in the abdomen will look improved on the next scan. Hope you can still look forward to that cruise and that you will have a wonderful time.

Hugs,
Sue

_________________
[size=84]husband, Mike, 59 years old
**2-01 dx'd Stage 1 nsclc-9cm tumor to right lung-no lymph node involvement...
**4-30-01 pneumonectomy right lung removed. No followup chemo or radiation , but scans and xrays were done
**1-28-04 dx w/recurrent stage IV nsclc tumor on stump of where right lung had been removed , lymph node involvement, tumor adrenal gland -lft side, **02-04-04- taxol & carboplatin 3 treatments-didn't work
**02-12-04- radiation 10 to lung for bleeding
**04-2--04-taxotere had 4 treatments. shrinkage had occured in all after 3.. continuing taxotere. making him very tired ... upper body swelling ..
** 08-01-04-in hospital
latest..
**08-02-04 had stent put in .. superior vena cava.. the vein was being blocked by pressure tumor.
**08-05-04-started 10 radiation treatments,
**08-30-04- started Navelbine on 3 weeks and off 1 Scan after 5 treatments show chemo Navelbine not working -slight decrease to lung mass, but slight increase to adrenal ....
**11-01-04-starting Gemzar ... had 3 treatments... too many side effects... Ct of chest and upper abdomen done on Dec. 2nd -results some shrinkage
**12-06-04-started Alimta Dec. 6th- first treatment went well Had 2nd treatment Dec. 27th ... developed a rash and is tired, but otherwise ok Scan Feb 7th, 2005 STABLE doing good continuing Alimta April 18th scans showed stable disease (after 6 Alimta treatments), but he now has pneumonitis... no more treatments until much better.. on prednisone and oxygen..
**05-31-05 Ct scan of chest showed pneumonitis resolved and stable cancer
**06-06-05-our 35th wedding anniversary... onc confirms everything resolving and stable -reccommends break continued til August
**6-15-05 to 6-18-05 in hospital due to mental confusion ..
had MRI-member empty head club

8-3-2005-Ct scans chest , abdomen and pelvic....Waiting and praying...
**8-8-2005-Ct results were that the chest area looked improved, but the adrenal area had increased and involved some lymph nodes.
Started Tarceva 150mg 8-16-2005-8-20-2005 stopped 2 weeks due to severe rash on 9-8-2005 started back on Tarceva at 100 mg now.. stopped again on 9-19-2005
9-30-2005 scans slight progression to nodes behind adrenal..
10-10-2005-Camptosar- CPT-11 started
10-31-2005- CPT-11
refused more CPT-11 made him extremely fatigued and nauseated
Dec. 6th -CTscans chest, abdomen & pelvic. shows stable but tumor compressing the esophagus..
Dec. 19th- had stent to trachea put in
Dec. 21st- he had stent to esophagus and feeding tube put in
Dec. 22nd.. he will ill put in hospital... vomiting and also coughing and congestion in for 4 days... home for Christmas Dec. 25th... still recouperating with antibiotics etc.
Continuing cough and numerous doctor visits.
*Jan 30th-Feb 4th- hospitalized again with cough ..
Still has cough , but controlled most of the time Hasn't been able to resume chemo

**My "prince charming", best friend, husband and soul mate,, Mike passed away March 2, 2006 after being a 5 year survivor and fighting a very courageous battle**
______________________
Mom- 78 yrs old..
nsclc diag May 2nd, 2007-surgery 2sm tumors removed in wedge section... lymph nodes clear
Tarceva as adjuvant started on June 23rd..quit July2nd.. side effects numerous... am waiting now til next appt. July 13th
July 20th... Mom NED.PET clear and normal .. will go back on half 75mg Tarceva... see how that works..
Stop Tarceva 8-25 too many side effects
Oct. 22nd- Mom surgeon visit, chest xray and results .. all clear, no sign of cancer...
Feb. 18th Mom's PET Scan
March 7th Mom's PET Scan results.. NED
Sept. 22, 08 Mom PET Scan
Sept. 29, 08 Mom PET results new nodule 3/4 "...here we go again.... :-(
*Updated*- Mom surgery- Oct. 30th.. surgeon removed top part of upper right lobe. Nothing showed malignant. She had pneumonia after surgery and a 3 week hospital stay, but she is slowly regaining her strength and is currently NED..

March 3, 2009 CT scan.... results showed some little things along suture line that the doctor believed was healing.. will wait til next scan and compare.

June 2, 2009- CT Scan.. results there is an area along suture line that has increased in size and thickening.. doctor thinks could be cancer... a needle biopsy will be done..

A quick update.. the results of the needle biopsy did confirm that it was cancer...

Cyberknife was done the first week in November..

Pet scan .. Dec. 8th...
Dec. 11th -results .. cyberknife worked and the rest of the scan is clean... YAY!!! Happy Birthday (Dec. 19th.. 81st) and Merry Xmas Mom!
Dec. 2010 NED!!!
June 2, 2011.. Pet Scan results .. NED!!!
Nov 3, 2011.. CT scan results.. NED!!!
Sept. 18, 2012 .. our loving mom has passed on ..Heaven received a most precious angel.


graphic by
http://www.maryslittlelamb.com[/size]

Like the others, I'm saying that the lungs being clear is a biggie. Let's hope the next scan just shows a big "stable".

_________________
Bud

Long distance cyclist and lung cancer survivor
56 years old at time of diagnosis in 2007, now live in Crowley, Tx
Nov 2007 - Tentatively diagnosed as NSCLC stage I from CT scan
Dec 2007 - Upper left lobectomy, biopsy showed one cancerous lymph node, changing the diagnosis to stage II (squamous cell)
Feb to Apr 2008 - Three rounds of cisplatin and gemcitabine
Apr 2008 - chest x-ray, NED
May 2008 - brain mri, clear
Jul 2008 - CT scan, NED
Dec 2008 - CT scan, NED
June 2009 - CT scan, NED
Jan 2010 - CT scan, NED
July 2010 - CT scan, NED
June 2011 - CT scan, NED
May 2012 - CT scan, NED
December 2012 - CT scan, NED. I am now a 5 year survivor!

June 2009 - Wife Rose diagnosed with breast cancer
Stage III IDC
Sept 2009 - Finished 4 rounds of chemo (AC)
Nov 2009 - Surgery
March 2010 - Finished 12 weeks of weekly Taxol
August 2010 - CT scan, NED
August 2011 - Checkup, NED
August 2012 - Checkup, NED
The rest of my story is at:

http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/vi ... hp?t=38841

My blog - uneasy-rider.com

Hi Judy,

HATE the word "progression." LOVE the word "clear." That the lungs and chest are clear is probably more significant than the mild progression in the abdominal wall. Since they aren't rescanning you until March, I suspect your doc thinks that way too.

Love you,
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

Thanks my dear friends. As I said on FB, I'm disappointed but not devastated. My onc tentatively suggest a scan in 9-10 weeks Susan, but when I told her I was going on a cruise, she left it up to me--before or after. No contest there.

Haven't been online much. Frankly have been sick as a dog since before we got home. Between the antibiotics and something it appears Stan and I picked up (probably at the hospital--no joke), it's been a tough few days. Feeling a little better but far from up to snuff. Stan and I sat around a lot yesterday thinking about all we have to do to make Christmas for Wendy and Dominick. He started the tree this morning and got pointsettas for the step. It may not be as grond as it usually is, but it will be Christmas.

Judy in KW

_________________
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.

Sorry Judy that the results were not what you were hoping for but I have to echo other's comment that the clear lungs is definitely a positive.
You and Stan get better, enjoy Christmas and then get packing for your cruise.

_________________
02/07 spot showed on chest x-ray
04/07 ct scan confirmed spot
07/07 pet scan could not confirm cancerous
09/07 had lobectomy of upper lobe on left lung.tumour was 2.1cm
10/07 lymph node samples were negative. classified as stage 1b.
12/07 Begin 4 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin and Vinerolbine on a 21 day cycle.
01/08 First 3 month chest x-ray was all clear.
03/08 After 3 rounds, cisplatin wil be replaced by carbo for the last round. Ringing in the ears is a side effect of cisplatn.
03/08/08 Had treatment yesterday of Carboplatin/Vinerolbine. So far feeling alot better than when I received the Cisplatin. Treatment lasted 2 hours compared to 5 hours for Cisplatin.
04/08 Chest x-ray. All clear.
06/08 chest CT Scan. All clear
09/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
11/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
02/09 Chest and abdomen CT Scan. All clear
04/09 Chest x-ray. All clear
06/09 Chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound All clear
01/10 Chest x-ray. All clear