A long day today.......
Today we met with the oncologist to begin treatment. He clarified what the scan results were.....new small cancerous masses (less than 1 cm and called micro...) in the right lung.....4 enlarged cancerous nodes under the right arm......and increase in mass in left lung meaning the cancer wasn't eradicated. He said Linda was in stage IV lung cancer. His efforts would be to control (new word) the cancer. There is no longer a "cure". The treatment would be four (4) three week sessions with a large dose of chemo the first day of the first week...a smaller dose the first day of the second week and then the third week off. At the end of the four session, they would either stop the chemo and wait for the cancer to reappear...continue the chemo in the same fashion or .......use an innovative pill for chemo...which can be done for non smokers only.....all would depend on how things look after the four sessions.
Then.....
After hearing Linda describe her nausea , he decided to get to the bottom of things by putting off the chemo session until tomorrow and have a CT scan done of the stomach and also a MRI of the brain....which is where we went next and finished up early this evening.
Tomorrow morning Linda is to learn of the results of the scan and MRI ...and then will proceed with the plan A or a new plan B.
The oncologist attributed the cough and the pleuritic pain to the growing mass in the left lung.
Linda is pretty worn out...but ready to get started. We met with the ladies in the hospital support center who have been a blessing to us in the past, to continue the mental and emotional support programs. We talked about the experiences yesterday in getting to Oregon and how fear showed up in our "cancer journey" and how we were able to have humor as part of the experience now. Linda and I had an in depth discussion this morning about much the same and have a solid connection for getting started on this phase of our lives.
More tomorrow......
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Just my usual daily post to let you know that we're sending you lots and lots of hugs and prayers as you begin this tough journey. We're only a call (or at least a blog post or email) away if you need anything! :)
Stay strong, and keep BELIEVING!!
Love,
Jim and Swee
Only you two could have the experience you just went through and laugh about it! Life is an adventure, that is for certain.
Linda, know I love you, and that you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you once again struggle to maintain control over this desease..you will win, girl.
Dave, I cannot express how important your updates are to us out here in cyberspace. Thank you for keeping us as part of your journey. There are so many lives that you two influence in a positive way by your courage, humor, and love for each other. Personally, you have helped me to learn to stay in the moment and to appreciate EVERYTHING. I feel so lucky that our paths have crossed.
Marilyn
Well, you two, I don't know what to say. I'm going to hope those two latest scans show nothing remarkable so you can go ahead with plan A. Hopefully, they'll be able to get everything under control and keep you in good shape.
I'm so grateful that you continue to let us all share in this journey. I know that our comments are very important to you, but your blog posts are just as important to us. It's wonderful that we have this technology to keep us all connected, no matter where we are and what we're doing. How would someone ever get through a challenge like this if they had to go it alone?
You're in my thoughts constantly, always with wishes for the very best. Love to you both, as always.
WOW, the airplane stunt, Did you make the news? LOL. You two are quite the characters. I Love you both and all kidding aside, God has a plan, and a definite mission for you two. None of us will know till we know, but I see alot of things goin on around you guys, and WOW. I know none of the people that send you msgs on this blog, but I do know you have brought alot of people together that ordinarily would never have met. All with the same cause and that is to support you two through your life trials. How amazing is that?
This has been a year or so of daily meditating and getting out of self for me. And Thank You for being a part of my life and spiritual growth. God Bless you both, Love Ya, Vicky
OK, so I'm w/Cheryl on this -- seeing the other tests as negative or whatever the optimum best scenario is so Plan A can commence.
Stay strong, focus on today's steps, always aim for what you want (and not what you fear) and find a couple things to laugh uproariously about today and a couple things that fill you with an unbelievable rush of love and gratitude -- something as simple as a lovely bird flitting down to a nearby branch or as magnificent as a hug.
We've got your backs, you two. Onward!!
hugs,
Susie
Hi guys,
Wow, you guys are so strong for each other. Our hearts go out to you both. We keep up with you thru the blog...it is amazing that you keep it up, but we know it is important to keep it up. That book of your journey together will be a thick one. One that you will one day look back and realize you conquered whats ahead!!! Love to you both, Kay and John
Post a Comment