Today is Christmas, Today is also the first time in many years that my husband cannot leave the house for the holidays. I am not sure if it is from the radiation or the lack of sleep for the past 4 months; But he is very tired.
A month ago, (thanksgiving) we went to church, then did our rounds. Then on black Friday, He went out with his cousins. Now he cannot walk from the chair to the kitchen without issues.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Major update
My last post, We got the official Dx. Since then we have been busy.
Hubby cannot have surgery, due to the results of his lung function test.
Cancer has spread to hubby's chest wall, lymph nodes.
There is also a 3mm area in his lower rt lung that did not light up on pet scan, a very small area on his hip that did light up and a small pleural effusion. The last two could mean a change of stage 3b to a stage 4 lung cancer. Treatment will be the same for both; Chemo
We have just got done doing 3 days of targeted radiation, this was done because the lung cancer destroyed a rib. The doctors felt he could benefit from 3 days of high radiation treatments to help with the major pain he is in. The chest area where the cancer has spread is to large for radiation.
After Christmas he will be going to the medical oncologist, more scans He will also be starting palliative care. He has also started oxygen.
Hubby cannot have surgery, due to the results of his lung function test.
Cancer has spread to hubby's chest wall, lymph nodes.
There is also a 3mm area in his lower rt lung that did not light up on pet scan, a very small area on his hip that did light up and a small pleural effusion. The last two could mean a change of stage 3b to a stage 4 lung cancer. Treatment will be the same for both; Chemo
We have just got done doing 3 days of targeted radiation, this was done because the lung cancer destroyed a rib. The doctors felt he could benefit from 3 days of high radiation treatments to help with the major pain he is in. The chest area where the cancer has spread is to large for radiation.
After Christmas he will be going to the medical oncologist, more scans He will also be starting palliative care. He has also started oxygen.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
medianoscopy
Hubby had a medianoscopy/port put in today. Biopsy of lymph nodes tested positive for cancer.
Doctor said he is NOT looking to cure his cancer, but to only manage it.
Stage IIIB lung cancer.
Doctor said he is NOT looking to cure his cancer, but to only manage it.
Stage IIIB lung cancer.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Well now we know
Stage IIIB lung cancer, This looks like what we are deal with. Could be a stage4, But we have to wait and see. Either way we will know for sure next week when we go and see the oncologist.
I do know what this means; no cure, Just treatment. Survival about 10%.
I do know what this means; no cure, Just treatment. Survival about 10%.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Surgery
will be Tuesday, doctor will put in Port for chemo, and remove lymph nodes.
Chemo will start after that..
Chemo will start after that..
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Bad News
Well hubby went to the surgeon yesterday, Bottom line there will be no surgery. Lung function results, and possible spreading to the chest wall makes it impossible. Also the cancer has destroyed a rib bone.
He will be getting a medianoscopy. It is removal of lymph nodes in front of his windpipe for biopsy Durning this surgery doctor will put in a cather to deliver chemo.
Chemotherapy is on the table, and he is taking it.
He will be getting a medianoscopy. It is removal of lymph nodes in front of his windpipe for biopsy Durning this surgery doctor will put in a cather to deliver chemo.
Chemotherapy is on the table, and he is taking it.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Today
I cried for the first time regarding my husband's illness. I see him getting weaker, more tired.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Lung Function test, and other stuff.
The results of my husbands lung function were not good. Doctors are worried about IF he can go with part of his lung gone.
The tumor board of MMC seems to think so, they had a meeting, and felt my husband could be ok with a chunk of his lung gone. But before they start removing body parts. They want to check on the lymph node that lit up on the PET scan.
His PET scan showed some possible cancer in his lymph nodes in between his lungs. So a few days ago he had a bronco scope test, where he took a biopsy of the lymph node. The results came back today were negative but inconclusive, which means the surgeon will cut pull the lymph node out, test it. Waiting for the surgeon to call back.
Doctor ordered an MRI with contrast on hubby brain, for the life of me I do not know why.
At least will will have a peaceful thanksgiving.
The tumor board of MMC seems to think so, they had a meeting, and felt my husband could be ok with a chunk of his lung gone. But before they start removing body parts. They want to check on the lymph node that lit up on the PET scan.
His PET scan showed some possible cancer in his lymph nodes in between his lungs. So a few days ago he had a bronco scope test, where he took a biopsy of the lymph node. The results came back today were negative but inconclusive, which means the surgeon will cut pull the lymph node out, test it. Waiting for the surgeon to call back.
Doctor ordered an MRI with contrast on hubby brain, for the life of me I do not know why.
At least will will have a peaceful thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Lung Function test
Well my husband had his test yesterday. Not sure how it went. I guess we will find out. Thursday his case will go before the "tumor board" Then I should hear from the doctor after that. The upside he will get a break from being poked on.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Day one
This blog is being created to keep process of my husband lung cancer. I hope anyone reading this will learn something from it..
My husband started smoking in his early 20's, When I meet him in 1999, he was smoking two packs a day. In 2004 My husband fainted after being sick for a week. In the ER he was told he had advanced emphysema, My husband quit smoking in all honestly led a very healthy life style.
In August 2010 my husband started complaining of shoulder pain, We went through OTC pain meds, then he went to the doctor and went through what they gave him. His doctor ordered a chest x-ray, that is when the shadow appeared in the top of his right lung. By now it is Oct 2010. His doctor ordered a CT scan/w contrast, results were back within a week, My husband had a tumor in his right lung
This next process went very quickly, My husband was sent to an pulmonary doctor, The doctor ordered an PET scan, and a lung biopsy. Both came back positive.
PET scan showed some cancer cells in his lymph nodes. I know having them in the lymph nodes is not a good thing. But the doctor said it is not enough for it to be a positive. The good thing is there is no spreading to his bone, which is a good thing.
Doctor recommend an aggressive approach, Surgery, chemo and radiation. Before that Hubby needs a breathing or a lung test, this will tell the doctors how much lung they will remove. that is tomorrow morning. Will post about that test.
My husband started smoking in his early 20's, When I meet him in 1999, he was smoking two packs a day. In 2004 My husband fainted after being sick for a week. In the ER he was told he had advanced emphysema, My husband quit smoking in all honestly led a very healthy life style.
In August 2010 my husband started complaining of shoulder pain, We went through OTC pain meds, then he went to the doctor and went through what they gave him. His doctor ordered a chest x-ray, that is when the shadow appeared in the top of his right lung. By now it is Oct 2010. His doctor ordered a CT scan/w contrast, results were back within a week, My husband had a tumor in his right lung
This next process went very quickly, My husband was sent to an pulmonary doctor, The doctor ordered an PET scan, and a lung biopsy. Both came back positive.
PET scan showed some cancer cells in his lymph nodes. I know having them in the lymph nodes is not a good thing. But the doctor said it is not enough for it to be a positive. The good thing is there is no spreading to his bone, which is a good thing.
Doctor recommend an aggressive approach, Surgery, chemo and radiation. Before that Hubby needs a breathing or a lung test, this will tell the doctors how much lung they will remove. that is tomorrow morning. Will post about that test.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)