#78274 08-07-2008 10:39 AM | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 | Tomorrow I'll take Jim to get his PET scan. We are to wait for the results and he may potentially get radiated in his sternum. He is feeling tremendous pain and wants it done, so he can become more comfortable. Today my daughter is getting married and we are having a very small reception afterwards at my house. Today is the first day that the 2 families have blended together - my ex's family and Jim's family...talk about chaotic! So amidst all the chaos, I find myself waiting for my in-laws to get here and talking with you wonderful people out there. Please keep us in your prayers as we proceed fighting this demon that keeps trying to hold onto us.
Caregiver to Husband 50 yrs.young-non smoker/non-drinker; Stage IV - all treatments stopped August 2009 Lost the battle November 23, 2010
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Enjoy today with your husband. Its a very special day for your daughter. You must be running around like crazy. You will be in my prayers for tomorrow's scan to show something positive. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Good luck tomporrow and tell the hubby he is gonna kick butt with this stuff.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Congratulations on the wedding. Let Jim know that prayers are being sent that today's scan leads to relief from his pain.
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013. Support OCF
| | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Paula- Congratulations on your daughter's wedding! Sending prayers Jim's way.
Sue
P.S. I sent you a pm
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 | It's been a VERY LONG DAY! Jim had his scan and the Dr. came to see us and then escorted us into a "new" room - the review board room. He said, that I want to show you the scan that we did today and then the scan we did (3) months ago. Of course, I'm feeling faint by now and bracing myself for the worst...When we walked into the room, Jim's whole body was slowly spinning on the screen in front of us. He said these are the scans from (3) months ago. The black spots where the vital organs are should be that way - the brain, the kidneys, the bladder, the heart, etc. These other black spots are not so good - notice the shoulder blades, the sternum, the right and left femur, up and down the spine, these are cancer sites.
Then he flipped to another screen and said, these are the scans from today. He said the black spots that you are seeing are where the sugars in the body go to - so he pointed to Jim's head and it was normal, pointed to his bladder, it was normal, pointed to his heart, normal, to his chest, no black spots, no black pots on his shoulder blades, no black spots up and down his spine, no black spots on either femur. One suspicious something on a rib (it wasn't black and he couldn't confirm it was or was not cancer), lungs are normal, pointed to his chest area and it is normal....he said, there isn't any cancer showing at this time - the Taxotere seems to be working!!!! So, he said I'll call the oncologist make the recommendation and I'll see you in (3) months for another scan. He was thrilled - he said that he had never seen anything like this, that this was highly unusual, but that perhaps Taxotere was putting it in remission!
I am extremely thrilled and ready to have a party!!! I just wish I knew why Jim continues to be in pain, but forgot to even ask the Dr. because I was sooooo excited about the news! Maybe someone has an idea of why he is still hurting so much.
Thanks to all of you for all of your prayers - they are working!!!
Hugs to everyone, Paula
Caregiver to Husband 50 yrs.young-non smoker/non-drinker; Stage IV - all treatments stopped August 2009 Lost the battle November 23, 2010
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Paula:
Thats GREAT news!!!!! You have had two great days now, first yesterday with your daughters wedding. Today must be a wonderful day for you to have such a big turn around in Jim's results from only 3 months ago. It truly is wonderful news, congrats!!!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Paula- I'm so thrilled for you. Jim's pain may be due from the Taxotere. I know Neil was in pain while on it. It might make the pain easier to deal with knowing it's working. There just might be miracles happening here.
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 212 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 212 | Awesome, awesome, awesome! What wonderful news for Jim and you. I hope the doctors are able to identify the source of his discomfort and lessen the pain as well. But what a great piece of news.
Cancer of Tongue, SCC early Stage 1, Dx 3/13/07, partial glossectomy 4/14/07 found no residual carcinoma and a granular cell tumor with pseudo epitheliomatous hyperplasia.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | That is great, great, great news.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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