Hi,

This is my first posting but I have been reading for a few days. I am grateful to have found a place where I may find some support and answers from those of you who have walked where my dh is about to follow.

My question today is do you have any over the counter recommendations on how to lesson the pains he is experiencing in his chest? He describes it as an almost constant dull ache with occasional sharp needle like pains. We only have four more days to go until he has his upper left lobe removed.

I would also welcome any advice you may have for me on how to best help him recover. Trying not to be frightened. Fortunately we are in the hands of a very skilled thoracic surgeon.

TIA

Mendy

_________________
Husband, 49 at dx now 51, 30-yr smoker stage 3A NSCLC
6 yr old son, 4 yr old daughter
6/22/06 pre-op x-ray shows mass
6/23 CT scan
6/29 PET scan meet thoracic surgeon
7/19 bronchoscopy/biopsy taken (good news-looks like mass may be appearing larger because collapsed lung)
7/25 dx'd cancer not sure of stage
7/31 mediastinoscopy/bronchoscopy
8/3 good news-no lymph node involvement-stage IB
8/21 LU lobectomy surgery
9/5 Pathology report positive lymph node involvement restaged to 3A; will begin chemo & radiation probably beginning of Oct.
9/22 Brain MRI, negative
10/10 start carbo/taxol last infusion 12/11
1/4/07 Pet&cat scan NED
1/11 begin 33 rounds of radiation to area where tumor & lymph node were removed
5/30/07 PET scan NED
9/19/07 Chest xray w/GP looks good
10/1 CAT/PET scan shows lymph node on right side lighting up...will need surgery to remove bulla on right lung and lymph nodes
10/23 Surgery to correct bulla and remove lymph nodes biopsy negative!! We are thrilled!

You might call your surgeon or whoever referred you to a surgeon to ask about pain relief. I've been told not to take aspirin or other NSAIDS for about 2 weeks before surgery, so you better check with your doctor anyway about whatever he is taking now. Hope they can help him and hope that the surgery is successful.
Muriel

_________________
Dx NSCLC 5/03. Surgery UR lobe. Staged as 1B. Chemo (taxol & Carbo)9/15/03 - 11/13/03. Wonderful CTs until Nov 04. Surgery 11/27/04, again staged as 1B. Chemo (Cisplatin and Gemzar) 2/05 to 6/05. Good CTs and PET since chemo.

Hello and welcome Mindy,
Mixed blessings to you, happy that you have found us, sad that you have to find us.
I agree w/ Muriel, "NO ASPIRIN!!" my husband found out the wrong way, he had to wait for his initial biopsy for 2 weeks due to this lack of clotting. So definitely call the dr.
Also, has he tried a heating pad, I know that it helped my husband sometimes when he has pains.
I'm sure you will get others who will tell you their experiences.

Grace

_________________
===========
Carlton 53
9/05 found mass on lung and spot on CC's liver
10/05 dx ext sclc started cisplatin and etoposide
12/05 ct tumors shrunk about 80%
2/06 7th final rd of chemo
3/06 ct further shrinking
4/06 numbness on left side
4/06 head ct scan reveals lesions
4/06 MRI can inconclusive onto echocardiogram and lp
4/07/06 echocardio initial negative
4/08-4/23/06 - lp done, excessive blood sugar ct, er for treatment, indication of cause was steroids which were stopped, another MRI of brain, indications of early brain mets. 4-5 weeks of radiation of brain to begin
4/24/06 focal seizure to left side, onto boston, consult w/ onc, told start brain rad.
4/25/06 rad started, put on keppra for seizures, saw dr. wants brain rads 4 weeks, then start on chemo to lung w/ gemstar and irecotan.
5/10/06 met w/ onc. finish up wbr and
5/24/06 finished w/ wbr
5/26/06 met w/ onc. not good, lung and liver tumors have grown about 2-3x's what they were after 1st chemo treatment. also spot on adreanal gland. onc. wants to start up chemo next week, probably ireceotan,(?sp) and gemzar.
6/02/06 - started new treatment of gemzar and irecotan. for 2 rounds
6/15/06 platlets low need to go for transfusion
6/16/06 transfusion done, dr. wants mri - brain and ct-chest to see whats happening, will be changing chemo based on results..
6/23/06 Brain Mets gone as indicated thru MRI...
CT reveals tumor in lung has grown slightly, onc wants is stopping current chemo, because of side effects, radiologist wants to nuke the lung, onc leary because of risk of position of tumor around large blood vessels...he is consulting w/ rad. perhaps cyberknife....onc. had decided to start tropecician(sp?)alone soon.
7/05/06 Cyberkn not an option, bone scan tomorrow, fri. starting taxol and topotecan
7/06 needs blood transfusion
8/4/06 major reaction to taxol, to the er, taxol is stopped only now topotecan. looking into clinical trials
9/06 ct and mri indicate cancer has grown 2x lung. and brain tumors are present.
9/06 One oral etoposide 100 mg daily.
will begin at begin of 10/06 w/ IMRT of the brain and down to 50 mg of etoposide
9/29/06 - 1 year since all this began, onc. called stop etoposide, begin decadron ( Mon ), waiting on temodar, till IMRT begins
10/2/06 IMRT starts and rad of lung/liver...some tumor markers show some decrease
10/16/06 mri shows shrinkage in brain mets, tbd - onc if back on etoposide w/ rad
10/24/06 - some "left side" tremor activity, upped keppra to 2x day
11/1/06 imrt, rad stopped, going back to oral etoposide, just waiting for increase in platlette cts. to start up
11/13/06 IMRT started back up, platlets still low - no chemo yet
11/27/06 brain mets are back, larger and more of them, stop imrt, onc. wants cc to start up oral etoposide today, will monitor bloodwork closely
12/18-12/22 stopped the etoposide, made it to 21 days - dr. said incredible. blood levels all out of wack, procrit and neupragen shots all around. Ct chest and MRI brain to see what dealing w/ now. CC( hubbys' nick) is off of chemo and starting to get appetite back
1/07 onc can't believe response shrinkage of 90% to lung and 50-60 for brain mets, continue on another round of etoposide, this time 10 days on, 10 days off
1/30/07 - Carlton has major seizure, goes to ER, admitted, unresponsive, told brain mets have grown, slowly comes out, but very shakey and not remembering
2/5/07 - sent home, VNA to come and set services in place, bed, commode, walker
2/8 - dr. visit, Carlton wants to continue chemo on outpatient basis
2/9 - 2/10- called dr. Carlton not good, has fallen 4x's sleeping most of time, think he needs to be hospitalized, dr. agrees Carlton hospitalized
2/10 - another seizure, not big, seems ok
2/12 - Carlton in ICU, having major seizures on and off for 4 hrs, decide to DNR and only comfort and care, waited 4 days in icu, finally on cancer ward of hosp. in his own room. Carlton is in a coma, non responsive, pneumonia setting in, getting worse, girls visit on 2/19 for last time, say goodbye to daddy
2/21 - Carlton is gone, very quick, I wasn't there, but came shortly after, he is in no more agony.

Welcome Mendy,

So sorry to hear about your dear husband, but I will definitely keep him in my prayers for a successful surgery and complete cure.
I don't have any over the counter advice for the pain. I would ask his onc before taking anything though as it could interfer with his treatment plans.

As far as helping during recovery, I haven't experienced it, but the one thing I've heard reoccuringly here is that following surgery pillows are a blessing. For a few days/weeks following surgery sleeping in a bed may not be possible. Many have slept in a recliner or when in bed they were propped up with many pillows. Also a good squishy pillow that he can hug against his chest and incision will help when he coughs or moves. It helps a lot with the pain of these actions to hug that pillow for some reason.

I know there are many here who have gone through the procedure first hand who can offer more and better advice, but I just wanted to throw that out there. Get extra pillows and one good hugging pillow.

Wishing you the best, and sending you lots of prayers!

_________________
Husband Age 31 Dx 3/19/03 Small Cell LC Second Opinion Mayo Clinic Dx 4/9/03 - Atypical Carcinoma (A.K.A. poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with small cell features) w/ Mets to Lymph Nodes and Liver

4/19/03 Cisplatin & Irinetecan
6/19 Scan results show no change
6/23 one round of Cisplatin and VP 16 then changed to Carboplatin and VP-16.
7/16 started 10 rounds Radiation
8/19 Test Results showed slight shrinkage to all areas YEAH!!! Continuing on with Carboplatin and VP-16
10/14 Scan results show no change. Oncologist wants to stop treatment. Where do we go from here?
11/14 Liver Biopsy confirmed Atypical Carcinoid, Liver now looks clean. Hired new Doctor and are looking into Alternative Treatments.
12/23 CT scan shows cancer to be relatively stable. One lymph node grew, but rest stayed the same. Still waiting to determine next step.
1/7 Started Sandostatin injections 3X daily
1/26 Visited LSU Dr. Anthony in New Orleans about clinical Trial of Octreotide Accepted, but wants us to try low dose chemo first.
2/7 Changed to Sandostatin once a month time released injection
4/6 CT scan shows that primary tumor between lungs grew from 2.2 CM to 3.3 CM. Starting Radiation to primary tumor 4/15 to 6/15. Expecting two rounds of low dose chemo to follow.
7/23 two week hospital stay for pancreatitis showed new lesions in pancreas and liver.
8/31 Started new Trial in New Orleans - Indium III.
9/14 MRI of the brain shows 13 lesions in the brain and meninges. Starting 15 rounds WBR 9/27/04
11/5/04 Started 2 rounds of Cytoxin Doxirubicin and Vichristin
3/18/05 CT scan shows no change; Keith to get a break from Chemo
5/6/05 CT Scan shows that cancer progressing; greater than 25% growth in all areas
5/25/05 Visited a Dr. O'Dirisio at University of Iowa about Ytrium Trial. Keith did not qualify but Starting Sandostatin again to try and boost receptors to qualify in future.
starting Taxotere 6/10/05
9/13/05 Scans show stable disease, no growth or shrinkage. Starting 6 more weeks of Taxotere.
10/27/05 CT & MRI taken; MRI Results show Brain Stable CT Scan shows slight increase to Liver lesions, but overall stable.
12/15/05 CT Scans show return of large tumor in lymph node under his collarbone at the curve of his neck plus advancement of disease in the liver from 4 small lesions to more than can be counted mid sized tumors. Starting Alimta on 12/30/05 HAPPY NEW YEAR 12/23/5 MRI shows size growth on several brain lesions, new tumor to Thyriod gland, new tumor to 6th Vertibrae. Tomotherapy on the neck started 2/13/06.
Scan 2/14/06 shows rapid progression of lesions in liver. Alimta stopped and starting back on Irinetecan (AKA CPT-11) on 2/17/06
4/6/06 scans show growth on all tumor sites. Nothing suggested for tx, as onc wants to check around and get other opinions.
4/19/06 Spent the day in ER because of severe side pain. CT shows Significant growth from scan taken just 3 weeks earlier plus new pleural effusion. Pain most likely from many Liver mets growing and pushing on liver casing. Starting trial of Temodar and Thalidomide 5/24/06
5/29/06 Spent 2 days in hospital with pain in left side, swelling in right arm. CT shows significant tumor growth. Lymph nodes in Mediastanim wrapped around Superior Vena Cava vein compressing vein, lymph node in neck compressing same vein. Swelling cause of SVCS. Pleural Effusion greatly increased in right lung. Pain in side possibly from increase in pancreas tumor, increase in liver tumors and size, compression to vein feeding spleen and enlarge spleen plus constipation. Temodar Thalidomide stopped. No more treatment.
6/2/06 Thoreocentisis drained 1+ liters of fluid from right lung. Stints not put into SVC because of location and thrombosis surrounding the catheter from port blocking vein would require removal of port.
6/7/06 Experienced swelling in the groin and phallus; cause could not be determined.
6/26/06 Hospitalized for severe pain in shoulder. Stayed for 2 nights to get pain meds to control pain.
Released home 6/28/06 passed away surrounded by family and friends on 6/29/06.

The light of my life has been extinguished and I live forever in darkness. But my love lives eternally now in the glorious radiance of God.

I will Love you FOREVER & ALWAYS!!!!

Thanks for the warm welcome. Definitely no aspirin...Tylenol all the way. We would call the surgeon for his recommendation, but the lucky man is on vacation this week. At least he should be well rested before operating on my husband's lung on Monday. The heating pad is a good idea.

Any more suggestions? I will pass all along.

Mendy

_________________
Husband, 49 at dx now 51, 30-yr smoker stage 3A NSCLC
6 yr old son, 4 yr old daughter
6/22/06 pre-op x-ray shows mass
6/23 CT scan
6/29 PET scan meet thoracic surgeon
7/19 bronchoscopy/biopsy taken (good news-looks like mass may be appearing larger because collapsed lung)
7/25 dx'd cancer not sure of stage
7/31 mediastinoscopy/bronchoscopy
8/3 good news-no lymph node involvement-stage IB
8/21 LU lobectomy surgery
9/5 Pathology report positive lymph node involvement restaged to 3A; will begin chemo & radiation probably beginning of Oct.
9/22 Brain MRI, negative
10/10 start carbo/taxol last infusion 12/11
1/4/07 Pet&cat scan NED
1/11 begin 33 rounds of radiation to area where tumor & lymph node were removed
5/30/07 PET scan NED
9/19/07 Chest xray w/GP looks good
10/1 CAT/PET scan shows lymph node on right side lighting up...will need surgery to remove bulla on right lung and lymph nodes
10/23 Surgery to correct bulla and remove lymph nodes biopsy negative!! We are thrilled!

There has to be a doctor covering for your surgeon that could give you some advice.

As far as post-op, I have had many surgeries including the lobectomy. I learned the hard way to TAKE IT EASY that first week or two. That means doing NOTHING beyond taking care of self. I got up, sat on the couch, took a shower, had breakfast, sat on the couch, later lunch, sat on the couch
Get the idea?
I even scheduled a nap time, and I am not a napper.

Taking the pain meds those first weeks are very important. Don't wait for the pain the first week. I took it every 4 hours, pain or not. Waiting for the pain is too late. I was off the pain meds before my 4 week checkup.

I used a body pillow.

Go to the library and get lots of good movies. Get him a good book to read.

Take care of yourself too

gail

_________________
NSCLC BAC 4/01 Stage 1A
non-smoker for 17 years
breast cancer 1997: mastectomy/chemo
breast cancer 1993: lumpectomy/radiation
Both stage 1

Avatar picture - my guys at my 50th

Mendy,
Welcome to the boards, although I am so, so sorry that you ever needed to seek us out in the first place....you know what I mean.

I don't know much about these pains, but I can tell you that when I first became a part of these boards, someone advised me that his most important piece of advice about cancer treatment is pain management. He said that one should do anything and everything to feel good. In other words he said not to worry about getting addicted to anything, or about taking something that might make one sleepy, or wide awake, or whatever, but to take whatever needs to be taken to feel good, because once one is able to feel good, they can fight, with all their might!

God bless, best of luck, and prayers.
Jen

_________________
[size=75]Loving Daughter, with three siblings, praying for a Dad with SCLC, superior vena cava syndrome.

3/16/06 DX Mass and/or adenopathy within the right hilum..consistent with bronchogenic carcinoma. May also be subcarinal adenopathy. Small right pleural effusion.
3/17/06 MRI head with/out contrast. Biopsi-lung, right middle lobe bronchus. Small Cell Carcinoma of the right lung with SVC syndrome
3/21/06 Bone scan. No evidence for skeletal metastases
3/21/06 Etoposide and Carboplatin chemotherapy (3 days)
4/12/06 Chest XRay - Obvious shrinking of tumor
4/12/06 Etoposide and Carboplatin (3 days)
5/2/06 CScan - again, obvious shrinking of tumor
5/5/06 Meet with Radiologist to determine radiology plan
5/9/06 Day one of Radiation
5/10/06 Chemo (?) (3 days)
6/4/06 In the middle of radiation, going EXTREMELY well, aside from sore eating, and tired, tired, tired. Dad is hopeful, sure that he is coughing up tumor every day, and spirited. Thank you God!
6/18/06 Went into local hospital for infusion. Chest X for possible pneumonia.
6/20/-6 Went to local hospital for infustion. DX with pneumonia in both lungs. O2 levels low, and irregular heart beat. He does not feel heart beating 140 and above. Meds for regulation not working. Made it to Mayo 6/25...back in the hands of the amazing!
6/29 Radiation Graduation! Dad is now home, and regaining strength every day. He is tired, tired, tired, but again, getting stronger every day. Will return to Mayo on 7/30 for all new tests.
7/30 "There is nothing in your noggin but a brain, Keith!" Amazing words to hear! "I would give your chest a clean bill."
8/1 "Keith, you are in remission." We don't consider a cure until you are clear for five years.
8/7 Began 15 rounds PCI brain radiation treatments. This was a difficult decision to make as we were given the side affects, and quite honestly it does sound scary. However, most all SCLC survivors appear to have some form of brain radiation at some time throughout their treatments. Dad figures that mom does the money books, organizes the meds, and keeps the house going already, so what the heck. "I don't want to die from cancer," he says!

August 25, 2006 Mom and Dad return after PCI. Dad feels great, has a tan, bald head, and got out onto the boat on day 1 of his return! Thank you God!

11/29/06 3 month Check Up...Still in remission. Lung scarring from radiation occuring. Dad feels great. Depression and low activity are going away!

2/25/07 Another check up shows no progression...however a slight pleural effusion that has grown since November. Could be one of three things...1. Infection 2. Scar Tissue 3. Cancer. Must go back to Mayo next week to have it drained and checked.

3/1/07 Drained pleural effusion yesterday. However, when they got in there, there wasn't enough fluid to drain and check...this means it probably wasn't cancer, and more than likely was the tail end of some kind of infection. She decides she wants him back in two months instead of three, just to be safe. Heart doc gives dad the clean bill of health. Go home, enjoy life!

5/11/07 Dad had a standard chest CT, which showed nothing new. He feels great and again was given a clean bill! Yeah! Doc will do a "big" check-up in August...complete with chest CT, bone scan, and brain scan...all because at that point he will be one year in remission! Yeah...I pray every day for these years to be granted!
8/21/07 Dad had a full body scan yesterday and results today were very "boring!" We LOVE boring. There was one nodule, in the lung area, that she could see, but it is smaller than small, and leaves no reason to be concerned. Dad will return for a check-up after Christmas. When mom said, "So, do we not need to be worried anymore" she answered with, "Your new normal will be that you are always worried." Yuck...but oh so true. Thank you God for the gift of healing, and may you continue with that wonderful gift. I pray in thanksgiving.

1/21/08 "I am going to call you my miracle man! Keith, I still don't see any evidence of cancer in your body." Wow! Blessed again!

5/19/08 "Keith there is no change. I see no evidence of any cancer." Wow! We are so blessed to be given another clean report. "Every day is a gift," my dad said. Isn't that the truth!

Sept. 08 Still Cancer Free

4/8/09 All evidence of the small cell is still gone. She believes Dad is cured. However, a dot on the CT almost a year ago has turned into an eraser sizes spot. This could just be a product of his recent bronchitis or could be when he breathed during the scan. She DOES NOT think we have anything to worry about. Scans will be in 3 months now, instead of 6 months...I am happy for that!

7/20/09 CT shows growth in spot on opposite lung than original cancer. They do not want to leave it alone. Will have PET and surgical consult next week with the hopes for simple removal.

8/2009 Removed spot. Biopsy showed trace of NSCLC. No SCLC found.

11/2009 All clear
3/2010 All clear
7/2010 All clear
11/2010 All clear. We really are so very blessed to continue to be cancer free. Thank you God.
8/23/11 - Still clear. Thank God!



Picture at left is my husband and I, October 2007. Below is Dad crossing the line during the survivor lap at the Relay. The other pic is just one of my faves!

[img]http://lchelp.org/picfiles/jen2.jpg[/img][img]http://lchelp.org/picfiles/ztweb3.jpg[/img]
[/size]

Yep, take it easy and take the pain meds u need...and dont forget a small pillow to hold against incision when coughing, helps limit the pain some. Also, I slept in the recliner chair for months, to avoid rolling over on sore side of chest, etc...k...good luck, keep us posted...Rich B.

_________________
06/28...Broncoscopy Mon....suspicious mass in left lung per ct scan...wish me luck...much anxiety, and yes, fear.
06/30...Needle biopsy, due to bronch. being inconclusive
07/02...dx is adenocarcinmoma...NSCLC

07/15...Surgery, entire left lung removed, No lymph node involvement or metasis yet discovered, so...hopeful prognosis
07/21 Home after sufficient recovery in hosp., slow recuperation, awaiting appt. with oncologist to determine if any additional treatment, screening, etc..
08/17/04 Oncologist appt....recomends more scans, CT bone, MRI, Pet etc. Also recomends one round of chemo...

9/17/o4 Good news, scans are all clear..NO evidence of disease detected...hopeful it remains that way. Remaining cautious tho, one more MRI to go and some adjuvant chemo....so waiting, healing, still doing med. appts for awhile. Then regular xrays ea. 3 mos.

Whoops...detour, the MRI/spine turned up a small lesion of unknown type. Off to the orthopedic specs. to investigate, get options. Chemo delayed briefly pending opinion from ortho guys.

Opinion is "not cancer" on spine...apparently just my arthritic joints...so, becomes a pain management issue..appt. made. On to adjuvant chemo on Monday. Finally.

Mon./10/27...o4 started adjuvant chemo finally; Taxotere first , then Cisplatin, I think...fatigued knocked me flat the 3rd day after...dozing, trying to catch my breath every time I move...sigh
Fri...emergency room, oxygen...Pneumonia-like inflammation of remaining lung...week of IV antibios and steroids...finally recovering, but...chemo ceased...end of that notion. Bad react. to taxotere. Now on to just screening scans for future. Continuing pain management consultations for back and surg. pain.

10/10/05 CT and PET scans; NED, clear, normal..1yr. out from treatment...cool.

2 yr. scans clear...wheww! SOB and easily fatigued tho, continues. Perm. I guess.

Welcome to our family. Sorry you had reason to find us but glad that you did. As for post surgery, Carleen had some good advice. I slept in a recliner for 3 or 4 weeks and took my pain meds every 4 hours at first. I did get up and walk each day (they told me it would help me get my strength back) and those pillows were a real help.
As for the pain meds prior to surgery...NO ASPIRIN is great advice. Also if he takes any blood thinners do without them for a few days...call the doctor to see how many days. Best of luck to you both.
Nina

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[size=75]I am 59 years old. Was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the left upper lung in Feb 2003. Have had surgery, chemo (carboplatin and vp16) and radiation therapy on the mediastinum. My first set of scans was done Oct 2003 and were clear. My latest screening was a chest film in Jan 2004...so far I am clear. I have a husband, Chuck, who has been wonderful and two children...each of them has a 4 year old boy.
April 19,2004, clean CT of the chest!
July 16th, 2004 clean MRI of the brain and clean chest xray.
Oct 22, 2004..clean CT/PET...yea!
Feb1, 2005 Clear chest x-ray and MRI of the thorasic and lumbar spine. Well, clear x-ray and almost clear MRI. The actual report sees a blip on the T7 vertebral space. If pain increases we will rescan early, otherwise wait til May, 2005
June 1, 2005..had CT/PET scan and all is still clear. Next scans are scheduled for December.CT/PET combo done on Dec 5, 2005. Still NERD. The word infinitesimal was used to describe my chances of reoccurrence. YEA!
6/14/06 Oncologist released me. Said to have my PCP continue annual checks and x-rays. Its been almost 3 years since any treatment. Yea!
8/7/06 3 1/2 years since any treatment.
12/06-Chest xray reads NED...released from my radiation oncologist. I am suppose to make sure my PCP follows me carefully.
2/8/07 MRI Brain...NED [/size]7/23/07 PET/CT NED
3/18/08 MRI Brain...NED
11/12/11 I am now 67 years old and still NED.

Tylenol was all that I could take before an operation I had. I considered it of no use. Fortunately, for my operation, I didn't have to go a full two weeks.

Good luck.

Mary

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4/05 - 8cm x5cm tumor upper left lung. Bone and Brain mets. 6/05 radiation to spine and left clavicle. 7/05 stereotactic brain radiation. 8/05 chemo started, trial of gemcitibine and carboplatin. 9/05 ct indicates some shrinkage. 11/7 ct indicates additional shrinkage.
10/18 brain mri inconclusive, re do in 6 wks; 12/13 brain and spine mri, results are spine is fine, brain uncertain if its progression or necrosis. Brain Pet scan 12/22, results are no sign of cancer. CT 1/3 showed 9% reduction. 2 more cycles ordered.
2/2006 CT shows no change. Removed from trial but kept on the same drugs to allow for a reduction in dosage. Having difficulty with blood counts, so reduced dosage is to try and keep me on schedule. 3/06 Brain MRI shows new met. Treament undetermined as yet.
4/20 switched to Alimta due to bad blood counts on the gemcitabine/carboplatin.
4/20 Brain PET and MRI show necrosis where radiosurgery was used. May require surgery or medication.
6/4/06 - bone scan shows pretty clean can't find cause of flank pain.
6/15/06 - MRI for spine and Brain. Results 6/21 and neither were great. The pain seems to be coming from a tumor around T8 and unfortunately 2 new bain mets.
6/24 - changed from Altima to Taxotera. Scheduled for sim and then 10 days of radiation. Also scheduled for radio surgey.
7/5 - began 10 days radiation
7/13 - radio surgey for brain mets*
7/15 - Taxotere 3xMonth
10/18 - Brain scan no new lesions, treated lesions responding
10/18 - spine MRI, shows two fractures, but not cauing pain or symptoms.
11/1 - Brain MR Spect. Like an MRI, but maybe has some PET scan properties as well. Results consistent with the last MRI.
11/27 - headaches, new MRI, shows new lesions developed in less than 1 month. headache is caused by previously treated lesions where edema has resulted.
12/1 - started Tarceva
1/9 - Onc has me off Tarceva for a week to clear up a nail infection. Then back on it.
1/14 - I will be starting tremador which is a brain tumor chemo. Seeing if there might be a benefit as an alternative to WBR.
1/18 - Brain MRI looks good. All new mets except one seem smaller. Treated mets look good, edema almost gone. Doctors to confer and determine if Radio Surgery on 2 mets (6 total) or just wait and see.