Well Pam got through the PET but unfortunately it did come back with a new hot spot, this one in her stomach. All we have been able to find out so far is that they won't be doing a surgery at this time to remove the spot under her arm.

We need to try to move up our follow up with our MO to get any further details on the PET and what the next step will be.

You could probably describe me as a glass half empty person, but from what I am hearing, I am not feeling very optimistic. To me it sounds like they think that the cancer is not only under the arm, but now feel the rib, lungs and stomach have spots.

Any thoughts on what we can expect? My guess would be that they would want to biopsy all these other areas before determining any future treatment. I don't know what is involved in taking a biopsy of the rib or lungs but think that I heard that it could be painful. Have your experiences been that they want to get biopsies of all the other areas or once they determine it has moved to start treatment? Just trying to get some ideas before being able to talk to the Dr next week.

Thanks, Tom


Tom-CG to wife, Pam 46@dx
Stage IV Tongue Cancer T2N2C
Dx 6/08, Surgery 7/08, 3 nodes positive
9/08 33IMRT/7Carbo/Taxol
4/09 node biopsy positive, mets to lungs/stomach
5/09 Cisplatin or Cis/Alimta study
6/09 Cis/Taxotere
9/09 Taxotere
1/10 Xeloda
3/10 Cetuximab weekly
6/29/10 lost battle