My husband just got results of PET scan of body and Brain MRI

My husband 67 who was very healthy active man has been attacked by this vicious disease.  Took not medications other than Advil for pain in his legs from broken bones from a fall years ago.  The diagnosis was Lung Cancer that had gone to the bones, lymph node, and brain.  They referred to it as metastatic adenocarcinoma in one report and they say something about small cell in another report.  All of this happened very quickly.  March 1st he had an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix ruptured and then two weeks later his shoulder started hurting.  They said he had a fractured clavicle.  He did not fall or injure himself in anyway.  Two more weeks went by while he was going to PT for the shoulder the pain became unbearable and I called the doctor and then they did a MRI and then a cat scan and found a mass then did a bone biopsy.  They removed a portion of the bone.  The next thing we know his body is full of cancer.  His ribs, his spine, his arms, it is everywhere and it attacked him so quickly.   Standing for any length of time is very painful.

The doctor said it was not good 2-3 months if no treatment.  Maybe a year if treated.  There are 9 lesions in the brain and they already started radiation.  He has had two treatments and will have a total of 15 radiation treatments to the brain.  They also gave him a medication called Zometa to protect his bones from further damage and to help strengthen them. This is not a chemo treatment just a bone strengthener.  He started having flu like symptoms yesterday and his bones hurt really badly, even his skin.  I called the doctor and they upped his pain meds, but the pain meds cause other problems with bowel movements.  I have been trying to feed him healthy foods, food that I researched that are supposed to be good at killing cancer cells.  His appetite has really diminished since he had the second treatment and the Zometa. This morning when he coughed up phlegm if appeared to be dark with blood in it.  Not red fresh blood but dark red/brown.  I called the doctor and he called in a RX for antibiotics.

Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer to this extent?  This is a real living nightmare.  I have thought that we should seek a second opinion and look at other options.  As I stated he started the radiation therapy.  They started radiating the brain the same day they gave us the diagnosis.   I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to help him.  We pray all the time and it is so hard.  My faith has always been a big part of me and now I just pray to keep it during the hellacious time.  It is so hard seeing someone you love racked with such pain.  Can anyone give me some advice?  What do we have to look forward to – has anyone survived cancer to this extent?  If so please share your recovery process with me.  I do not understand the full extent of what the reports say.  It is hard finding all of this and making sense of it.

Reports from the MRI and Pet SCAN:

 

He has 9 intracranial lesions in his brain.  They say these lesions are compatible with metastases.  The PET scan was from the base of his skull to mid thigh.  This revealed multiple hypermetabolic foci, both soft tissue as well as within the osseous system.  The original biopsy of the clavicle revealed that lung cancer was adenocarcinoma metastatic.

The soft tissue hypermetabolic foci are as follows:
right level II adenopathy, which is hypermetobolic, maximum SUV 5.9,  Increased FGD activity within small right supraclavicular lymph node, maximum SUV 3.9 Soft tissue mass is seen within the right side of the neck, posteriorly, within the paraspinous muscles, at approximately T1 level, maximun SUV 10.1.  Multiple right sided cervical lymph nodes at the level of the thyroid gland, maximum SUV 11.

Enlarged left paratracheal adenopathy, maximum SUV of 10.  Enlarged AP window, posterior mediastinal, left hilar node, as well as hypermetabalic azygoesophageal recess lymph nodes.  The largest group of lymph nodes are seen within the aorticopulmonary window, and have a maximum SUV of 11.36.  There are multiple hypermetabolic celiac axis and peripancreatic lymph nodes present, maximum SUV 9.86.  There is an enlarged hypermetabolic right adrenal gland, maximum SUV 8.43, and an enlarged left adrenal gland, measureing 3.4 x 2.2 cm, with a maxmum SUV 11.5.  Periaortic, paracaval lymph nodes are present at the level of he renovascular pedicle, which are hypermetsbolic.  Hypermetsbolic common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenopathy preent, with bulky left external iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenoopathy present, with bulky left external iliac adenopathy, measuring 2.1 x 2.2 cm maximum SUV 13.7.  Left inguinal adenopathy is present, maximum SUV is 10.67.  Soft tissue meatastasis within the left gluteal muscle has a maximum SUV of 8.49.  there is heterogeneous tracer activity within a focus increased tracer activity midpole left kidney, without evidence of definite mass.  While this could represent asymmetric activity within the calix, soft tissue metastasis within the midpole left kidney i not excluded, maximum SUV 5.8.

Multiple hypermetabolic foci seen within lytic osseous lesions.  They are as follows:  midshaft right humerus, proximal let humerus, left first rib, right second rib, and T2, T4, T5, T6, T8, L2 (there ar only 5 non-rib bearing lumbar vertebral bodies), distal right clavicle.

Left ilium, sternum.  Maximum SUV within the sternum is 13.7, maximum SUV T2 is 10.75.  Lytic lesion involving T2 involves the pedicle and lamina.  No definite evidence of an eidural extension, though there is soft tissue component seen laterally within the paraspinous muscles, right side.  Lytic lesion involving the L2 vertebral body, with lytic lesion with small tissue component causing mild compression upon the thecal sac.

IMPRESSION:  Multiple hypermetsbolic foci within the mediastinal nodes, as well as pelvic lymph nodes.  Additional hypermetsbolic foci corresponding to the lytic lesion within the osseous system.  The finding may be secondary to primary bronchogenic carcinoma, though pulmonary nodule is not idntified,  though could be small cell carcinoma, since there appear to be subtle asymmetric tracer activity within the midpole left kidney.

 

 

On 5/24/2009 Mary291 wrote:

My husband 67 who was very healthy active man has been attacked by this vicious disease.  Took not medications other than Advil for pain in his legs from broken bones from a fall years ago.  The diagnosis was Lung Cancer that had gone to the bones, lymph node, and brain.  They referred to it as metastatic adenocarcinoma in one report and they say something about small cell in another report.  All of this happened very quickly.  March 1st he had an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix ruptured and then two weeks later his shoulder started hurting.  They said he had a fractured clavicle.  He did not fall or injure himself in anyway.  Two more weeks went by while he was going to PT for the shoulder the pain became unbearable and I called the doctor and then they did a MRI and then a cat scan and found a mass then did a bone biopsy.  They removed a portion of the bone.  The next thing we know his body is full of cancer.  His ribs, his spine, his arms, it is everywhere and it attacked him so quickly.   Standing for any length of time is very painful.

The doctor said it was not good 2-3 months if no treatment.  Maybe a year if treated.  There are 9 lesions in the brain and they already started radiation.  He has had two treatments and will have a total of 15 radiation treatments to the brain.  They also gave him a medication called Zometa to protect his bones from further damage and to help strengthen them. This is not a chemo treatment just a bone strengthener.  He started having flu like symptoms yesterday and his bones hurt really badly, even his skin.  I called the doctor and they upped his pain meds, but the pain meds cause other problems with bowel movements.  I have been trying to feed him healthy foods, food that I researched that are supposed to be good at killing cancer cells.  His appetite has really diminished since he had the second treatment and the Zometa. This morning when he coughed up phlegm if appeared to be dark with blood in it.  Not red fresh blood but dark red/brown.  I called the doctor and he called in a RX for antibiotics.

Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer to this extent?  This is a real living nightmare.  I have thought that we should seek a second opinion and look at other options.  As I stated he started the radiation therapy.  They started radiating the brain the same day they gave us the diagnosis.   I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to help him.  We pray all the time and it is so hard.  My faith has always been a big part of me and now I just pray to keep it during the hellacious time.  It is so hard seeing someone you love racked with such pain.  Can anyone give me some advice?  What do we have to look forward to – has anyone survived cancer to this extent?  If so please share your recovery process with me.  I do not understand the full extent of what the reports say.  It is hard finding all of this and making sense of it.

Yes, my mom went thru all of this, luckily it didnt spread to my mom's brain yet although recently I found there is a small lump on her head, waiting for new Brain CT-scan Tuesday result to confirm.

Back to yours, unfortunately as the cancer spreads to the bones / spines, it will crack them up and broken thru the cancer eaten away process :(   Zometa only helps strenghthen the bone density. He needs a pain patch - Fentanyl or Lycoderm to relieve the pain. 

It is ok to have dark blood mucus / phlegm and soreness I think AS this is part of the radiation causes.  Do you hear wheezie sound when he coughs / sleeps?   The doctor should not Rx your husband an antibotics wihout running any blood test to confirm.  I sincerely advise you not to take it.  Taking too much antibotics aint good for him to fight the cancer in the long rung.   BTW, the radiation is only helping to reduce the pain level in the long run and probably stop the cancer to spread further but not guarantee. 

Pls ask to give him some Oral Chemo Drugs.  For Adenocarcinoma Lung cancer, he should be able to prescribe the Tarveca immediately - lowest dosage is 75mg / 100 mg to try out, he should see the difference within a week.  To be cautious, pls also ask for Avastin (Brain). 

My mom was mis-interpreted on biopsy report for a Small Cell LC and was put on Carboplatin & Etoposide, not working well at all.  After review info, now we insist her to her Tarveca and it seems to be working good for just the first week.  Can i ask iff you could email me your husband Biopsy reading result so we can compare notes?

Take care, good luck, god bless....

Victoria

 

On 5/24/2009 Mary291 wrote:

My husband 67 who was very healthy active man has been attacked by this vicious disease.  Took not medications other than Advil for pain in his legs from broken bones from a fall years ago.  The diagnosis was Lung Cancer that had gone to the bones, lymph node, and brain.  They referred to it as metastatic adenocarcinoma in one report and they say something about small cell in another report.  All of this happened very quickly.  March 1st he had an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix ruptured and then two weeks later his shoulder started hurting.  They said he had a fractured clavicle.  He did not fall or injure himself in anyway.  Two more weeks went by while he was going to PT for the shoulder the pain became unbearable and I called the doctor and then they did a MRI and then a cat scan and found a mass then did a bone biopsy.  They removed a portion of the bone.  The next thing we know his body is full of cancer.  His ribs, his spine, his arms, it is everywhere and it attacked him so quickly.   Standing for any length of time is very painful.

The doctor said it was not good 2-3 months if no treatment.  Maybe a year if treated.  There are 9 lesions in the brain and they already started radiation.  He has had two treatments and will have a total of 15 radiation treatments to the brain.  They also gave him a medication called Zometa to protect his bones from further damage and to help strengthen them. This is not a chemo treatment just a bone strengthener.  He started having flu like symptoms yesterday and his bones hurt really badly, even his skin.  I called the doctor and they upped his pain meds, but the pain meds cause other problems with bowel movements.  I have been trying to feed him healthy foods, food that I researched that are supposed to be good at killing cancer cells.  His appetite has really diminished since he had the second treatment and the Zometa. This morning when he coughed up phlegm if appeared to be dark with blood in it.  Not red fresh blood but dark red/brown.  I called the doctor and he called in a RX for antibiotics.

Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer to this extent?  This is a real living nightmare.  I have thought that we should seek a second opinion and look at other options.  As I stated he started the radiation therapy.  They started radiating the brain the same day they gave us the diagnosis.   I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to help him.  We pray all the time and it is so hard.  My faith has always been a big part of me and now I just pray to keep it during the hellacious time.  It is so hard seeing someone you love racked with such pain.  Can anyone give me some advice?  What do we have to look forward to – has anyone survived cancer to this extent?  If so please share your recovery process with me.  I do not understand the full extent of what the reports say.  It is hard finding all of this and making sense of it.

Reports from the MRI and Pet SCAN:

 

He has 9 intracranial lesions in his brain.  They say these lesions are compatible with metastases.  The PET scan was from the base of his skull to mid thigh.  This revealed multiple hypermetabolic foci, both soft tissue as well as within the osseous system.  The original biopsy of the clavicle revealed that lung cancer was adenocarcinoma metastatic.

The soft tissue hypermetabolic foci are as follows:
right level II adenopathy, which is hypermetobolic, maximum SUV 5.9,  Increased FGD activity within small right supraclavicular lymph node, maximum SUV 3.9 Soft tissue mass is seen within the right side of the neck, posteriorly, within the paraspinous muscles, at approximately T1 level, maximun SUV 10.1.  Multiple right sided cervical lymph nodes at the level of the thyroid gland, maximum SUV 11.

Enlarged left paratracheal adenopathy, maximum SUV of 10.  Enlarged AP window, posterior mediastinal, left hilar node, as well as hypermetabalic azygoesophageal recess lymph nodes.  The largest group of lymph nodes are seen within the aorticopulmonary window, and have a maximum SUV of 11.36.  There are multiple hypermetabolic celiac axis and peripancreatic lymph nodes present, maximum SUV 9.86.  There is an enlarged hypermetabolic right adrenal gland, maximum SUV 8.43, and an enlarged left adrenal gland, measureing 3.4 x 2.2 cm, with a maxmum SUV 11.5.  Periaortic, paracaval lymph nodes are present at the level of he renovascular pedicle, which are hypermetsbolic.  Hypermetsbolic common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenopathy preent, with bulky left external iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenoopathy present, with bulky left external iliac adenopathy, measuring 2.1 x 2.2 cm maximum SUV 13.7.  Left inguinal adenopathy is present, maximum SUV is 10.67.  Soft tissue meatastasis within the left gluteal muscle has a maximum SUV of 8.49.  there is heterogeneous tracer activity within a focus increased tracer activity midpole left kidney, without evidence of definite mass.  While this could represent asymmetric activity within the calix, soft tissue metastasis within the midpole left kidney i not excluded, maximum SUV 5.8.

Multiple hypermetabolic foci seen within lytic osseous lesions.  They are as follows:  midshaft right humerus, proximal let humerus, left first rib, right second rib, and T2, T4, T5, T6, T8, L2 (there ar only 5 non-rib bearing lumbar vertebral bodies), distal right clavicle.

Left ilium, sternum.  Maximum SUV within the sternum is 13.7, maximum SUV T2 is 10.75.  Lytic lesion involving T2 involves the pedicle and lamina.  No definite evidence of an eidural extension, though there is soft tissue component seen laterally within the paraspinous muscles, right side.  Lytic lesion involving the L2 vertebral body, with lytic lesion with small tissue component causing mild compression upon the thecal sac.

IMPRESSION:  Multiple hypermetsbolic foci within the mediastinal nodes, as well as pelvic lymph nodes.  Additional hypermetsbolic foci corresponding to the lytic lesion within the osseous system.  The finding may be secondary to primary bronchogenic carcinoma, though pulmonary nodule is not idntified,  though could be small cell carcinoma, since there appear to be subtle asymmetric tracer activity within the midpole left kidney.

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

If possible can I ask what kind of Lung Cancer you have been diagnosis with?   What was ur biopsy result?  I am surprised to hear that you are on Avastin + Tarveca....

Regards,

Victoria

 

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

If possible can I ask what kind of Lung Cancer you have been diagnosis with?   What was ur biopsy result?  I am surprised to hear that you are on Avastin + Tarveca....

Regards,

Victoria

 

Victoria,  I am 65 years old, always been very healthy, have Stage IV Adenocarcinoma non small cell lung cancer.   The clincial trial I was on combined Avastin with Tarceva, to attack the cancer cells in 2 different ways.  It worked beautifully, but during the time I was on the clinical trial news came out that the Avastin with the Tarceva was not showing improvements over just Tarceva.  Also, the Avastin has the side effect in that 5% of people get bad bleeding and 2 to 3% die from bleeding.  We did not stay with the clinical trial because of the risks and the news that it probably wasn't helping.   I think that clincical trial has since been discontinued.  We continued with the Tarceva.   I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, green tea,  take lots of supplements, so that my immune system will be in top working order and maybe some of those supplements will kill a few cancer cells.   Haven't had a cold or the flu all winter.   My husband and I walk an hour per day, I seek chances to be positive and up, rather than down.   I've read about survivors of cancer and they'll play music, or read things, or do things that lift their spirits.   I love to watch the grandchildren and I like my work.  Endorphins are a healer.   God is with me.   You can't believe the answers I get from God in a sermon, a Christian song, or a Christian novel I might read, ansers just when I need them. 

 

On 5/24/2009 nevah wrote:

 

On 5/24/2009 Mary291 wrote:

My husband 67 who was very healthy active man has been attacked by this vicious disease.  Took not medications other than Advil for pain in his legs from broken bones from a fall years ago.  The diagnosis was Lung Cancer that had gone to the bones, lymph node, and brain.  They referred to it as metastatic adenocarcinoma in one report and they say something about small cell in another report.  All of this happened very quickly.  March 1st he had an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix ruptured and then two weeks later his shoulder started hurting.  They said he had a fractured clavicle.  He did not fall or injure himself in anyway.  Two more weeks went by while he was going to PT for the shoulder the pain became unbearable and I called the doctor and then they did a MRI and then a cat scan and found a mass then did a bone biopsy.  They removed a portion of the bone.  The next thing we know his body is full of cancer.  His ribs, his spine, his arms, it is everywhere and it attacked him so quickly.   Standing for any length of time is very painful.

The doctor said it was not good 2-3 months if no treatment.  Maybe a year if treated.  There are 9 lesions in the brain and they already started radiation.  He has had two treatments and will have a total of 15 radiation treatments to the brain.  They also gave him a medication called Zometa to protect his bones from further damage and to help strengthen them. This is not a chemo treatment just a bone strengthener.  He started having flu like symptoms yesterday and his bones hurt really badly, even his skin.  I called the doctor and they upped his pain meds, but the pain meds cause other problems with bowel movements.  I have been trying to feed him healthy foods, food that I researched that are supposed to be good at killing cancer cells.  His appetite has really diminished since he had the second treatment and the Zometa. This morning when he coughed up phlegm if appeared to be dark with blood in it.  Not red fresh blood but dark red/brown.  I called the doctor and he called in a RX for antibiotics.

Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer to this extent?  This is a real living nightmare.  I have thought that we should seek a second opinion and look at other options.  As I stated he started the radiation therapy.  They started radiating the brain the same day they gave us the diagnosis.   I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to help him.  We pray all the time and it is so hard.  My faith has always been a big part of me and now I just pray to keep it during the hellacious time.  It is so hard seeing someone you love racked with such pain.  Can anyone give me some advice?  What do we have to look forward to – has anyone survived cancer to this extent?  If so please share your recovery process with me.  I do not understand the full extent of what the reports say.  It is hard finding all of this and making sense of it.

Reports from the MRI and Pet SCAN:

 

He has 9 intracranial lesions in his brain.  They say these lesions are compatible with metastases.  The PET scan was from the base of his skull to mid thigh.  This revealed multiple hypermetabolic foci, both soft tissue as well as within the osseous system.  The original biopsy of the clavicle revealed that lung cancer was adenocarcinoma metastatic.

The soft tissue hypermetabolic foci are as follows:
right level II adenopathy, which is hypermetobolic, maximum SUV 5.9,  Increased FGD activity within small right supraclavicular lymph node, maximum SUV 3.9 Soft tissue mass is seen within the right side of the neck, posteriorly, within the paraspinous muscles, at approximately T1 level, maximun SUV 10.1.  Multiple right sided cervical lymph nodes at the level of the thyroid gland, maximum SUV 11.

Enlarged left paratracheal adenopathy, maximum SUV of 10.  Enlarged AP window, posterior mediastinal, left hilar node, as well as hypermetabalic azygoesophageal recess lymph nodes.  The largest group of lymph nodes are seen within the aorticopulmonary window, and have a maximum SUV of 11.36.  There are multiple hypermetabolic celiac axis and peripancreatic lymph nodes present, maximum SUV 9.86.  There is an enlarged hypermetabolic right adrenal gland, maximum SUV 8.43, and an enlarged left adrenal gland, measureing 3.4 x 2.2 cm, with a maxmum SUV 11.5.  Periaortic, paracaval lymph nodes are present at the level of he renovascular pedicle, which are hypermetsbolic.  Hypermetsbolic common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenopathy preent, with bulky left external iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenoopathy present, with bulky left external iliac adenopathy, measuring 2.1 x 2.2 cm maximum SUV 13.7.  Left inguinal adenopathy is present, maximum SUV is 10.67.  Soft tissue meatastasis within the left gluteal muscle has a maximum SUV of 8.49.  there is heterogeneous tracer activity within a focus increased tracer activity midpole left kidney, without evidence of definite mass.  While this could represent asymmetric activity within the calix, soft tissue metastasis within the midpole left kidney i not excluded, maximum SUV 5.8.

Multiple hypermetabolic foci seen within lytic osseous lesions.  They are as follows:  midshaft right humerus, proximal let humerus, left first rib, right second rib, and T2, T4, T5, T6, T8, L2 (there ar only 5 non-rib bearing lumbar vertebral bodies), distal right clavicle.

Left ilium, sternum.  Maximum SUV within the sternum is 13.7, maximum SUV T2 is 10.75.  Lytic lesion involving T2 involves the pedicle and lamina.  No definite evidence of an eidural extension, though there is soft tissue component seen laterally within the paraspinous muscles, right side.  Lytic lesion involving the L2 vertebral body, with lytic lesion with small tissue component causing mild compression upon the thecal sac.

IMPRESSION:  Multiple hypermetsbolic foci within the mediastinal nodes, as well as pelvic lymph nodes.  Additional hypermetsbolic foci corresponding to the lytic lesion within the osseous system.  The finding may be secondary to primary bronchogenic carcinoma, though pulmonary nodule is not idntified,  though could be small cell carcinoma, since there appear to be subtle asymmetric tracer activity within the midpole left kidney.

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

I too have read the Shack, it is an amazing journey.  My husband never has been much on reading but your right I should encourage him to read it.  I know I certainly got a lot out of it.  Can I ask had the cancer already reached your brain or was it restricted to the lungs and trunk? He is being treated at the Tate Cancer Center by Dr. DeLuca, he is the head of the cancer center.  I will talk to his doctor about the drugs you mentioned.
Thank you so much for the encouragement.  I will continue to read this link.

God Bless and keep fighting the fight.........

 

 

On 5/24/2009 CancerStrike2 wrote:

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

If possible can I ask what kind of Lung Cancer you have been diagnosis with?   What was ur biopsy result?  I am surprised to hear that you are on Avastin + Tarveca....

Regards,

Victoria

 

 

 

Victoria, you asked about biopsy result.    The cancer had spread from the lung to the backbones and maybe elsewhere.    They did a biopsy of one of my backbones where the cancer was and discovered the nonsmall cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma.    They did it there, rather than in the lung if I remember the thinking, so that they would know whether they were treating one or 2 types of cancer.   The bone showed a lung cancer.   They can tell the type of cancer from the way the cells look.   I have a hard time remembering all the medical things -- hardly ever took an aspirin before this happened.  Had babies, but otherwise just went in to the dr. for checkups, he said I was fine and I went home.    It was a whole new world to be going to specialists, learning how to choose the doctors, learning that I would have to be proactive.   Thankfully, my husband is very proactive and so are my children and I read about others and hear from others who say I must learn and work to get the best care.    Not all doctors are equal and cancer is something about which there is much to yet be learned.  Something that works on one person doesn't work on another.   Doctors and nurses can miss things.  I actually hate being the dr., trying to figure things out.   I figure they have gone for the training.  But, I must try to watch also.

 

On 5/25/2009 Mary291 wrote:

 

On 5/24/2009 nevah wrote:

 

On 5/24/2009 Mary291 wrote:

My husband 67 who was very healthy active man has been attacked by this vicious disease.  Took not medications other than Advil for pain in his legs from broken bones from a fall years ago.  The diagnosis was Lung Cancer that had gone to the bones, lymph node, and brain.  They referred to it as metastatic adenocarcinoma in one report and they say something about small cell in another report.  All of this happened very quickly.  March 1st he had an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix ruptured and then two weeks later his shoulder started hurting.  They said he had a fractured clavicle.  He did not fall or injure himself in anyway.  Two more weeks went by while he was going to PT for the shoulder the pain became unbearable and I called the doctor and then they did a MRI and then a cat scan and found a mass then did a bone biopsy.  They removed a portion of the bone.  The next thing we know his body is full of cancer.  His ribs, his spine, his arms, it is everywhere and it attacked him so quickly.   Standing for any length of time is very painful.

The doctor said it was not good 2-3 months if no treatment.  Maybe a year if treated.  There are 9 lesions in the brain and they already started radiation.  He has had two treatments and will have a total of 15 radiation treatments to the brain.  They also gave him a medication called Zometa to protect his bones from further damage and to help strengthen them. This is not a chemo treatment just a bone strengthener.  He started having flu like symptoms yesterday and his bones hurt really badly, even his skin.  I called the doctor and they upped his pain meds, but the pain meds cause other problems with bowel movements.  I have been trying to feed him healthy foods, food that I researched that are supposed to be good at killing cancer cells.  His appetite has really diminished since he had the second treatment and the Zometa. This morning when he coughed up phlegm if appeared to be dark with blood in it.  Not red fresh blood but dark red/brown.  I called the doctor and he called in a RX for antibiotics.

Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer to this extent?  This is a real living nightmare.  I have thought that we should seek a second opinion and look at other options.  As I stated he started the radiation therapy.  They started radiating the brain the same day they gave us the diagnosis.   I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to help him.  We pray all the time and it is so hard.  My faith has always been a big part of me and now I just pray to keep it during the hellacious time.  It is so hard seeing someone you love racked with such pain.  Can anyone give me some advice?  What do we have to look forward to – has anyone survived cancer to this extent?  If so please share your recovery process with me.  I do not understand the full extent of what the reports say.  It is hard finding all of this and making sense of it.

Reports from the MRI and Pet SCAN:

 

He has 9 intracranial lesions in his brain.  They say these lesions are compatible with metastases.  The PET scan was from the base of his skull to mid thigh.  This revealed multiple hypermetabolic foci, both soft tissue as well as within the osseous system.  The original biopsy of the clavicle revealed that lung cancer was adenocarcinoma metastatic.

The soft tissue hypermetabolic foci are as follows:
right level II adenopathy, which is hypermetobolic, maximum SUV 5.9,  Increased FGD activity within small right supraclavicular lymph node, maximum SUV 3.9 Soft tissue mass is seen within the right side of the neck, posteriorly, within the paraspinous muscles, at approximately T1 level, maximun SUV 10.1.  Multiple right sided cervical lymph nodes at the level of the thyroid gland, maximum SUV 11.

Enlarged left paratracheal adenopathy, maximum SUV of 10.  Enlarged AP window, posterior mediastinal, left hilar node, as well as hypermetabalic azygoesophageal recess lymph nodes.  The largest group of lymph nodes are seen within the aorticopulmonary window, and have a maximum SUV of 11.36.  There are multiple hypermetabolic celiac axis and peripancreatic lymph nodes present, maximum SUV 9.86.  There is an enlarged hypermetabolic right adrenal gland, maximum SUV 8.43, and an enlarged left adrenal gland, measureing 3.4 x 2.2 cm, with a maxmum SUV 11.5.  Periaortic, paracaval lymph nodes are present at the level of he renovascular pedicle, which are hypermetsbolic.  Hypermetsbolic common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenopathy preent, with bulky left external iliac lymph nodes bilaterally.  Left internal and external iliac adenoopathy present, with bulky left external iliac adenopathy, measuring 2.1 x 2.2 cm maximum SUV 13.7.  Left inguinal adenopathy is present, maximum SUV is 10.67.  Soft tissue meatastasis within the left gluteal muscle has a maximum SUV of 8.49.  there is heterogeneous tracer activity within a focus increased tracer activity midpole left kidney, without evidence of definite mass.  While this could represent asymmetric activity within the calix, soft tissue metastasis within the midpole left kidney i not excluded, maximum SUV 5.8.

Multiple hypermetabolic foci seen within lytic osseous lesions.  They are as follows:  midshaft right humerus, proximal let humerus, left first rib, right second rib, and T2, T4, T5, T6, T8, L2 (there ar only 5 non-rib bearing lumbar vertebral bodies), distal right clavicle.

Left ilium, sternum.  Maximum SUV within the sternum is 13.7, maximum SUV T2 is 10.75.  Lytic lesion involving T2 involves the pedicle and lamina.  No definite evidence of an eidural extension, though there is soft tissue component seen laterally within the paraspinous muscles, right side.  Lytic lesion involving the L2 vertebral body, with lytic lesion with small tissue component causing mild compression upon the thecal sac.

IMPRESSION:  Multiple hypermetsbolic foci within the mediastinal nodes, as well as pelvic lymph nodes.  Additional hypermetsbolic foci corresponding to the lytic lesion within the osseous system.  The finding may be secondary to primary bronchogenic carcinoma, though pulmonary nodule is not idntified,  though could be small cell carcinoma, since there appear to be subtle asymmetric tracer activity within the midpole left kidney.

 

I am so much with you in this time of trauma.   You've barely had time to get through the original haze and are having to deal with all this.   Your husband has a very serious problem, very advanced cancer, and needs the most expert care.    He is starting out with the advantage of good "health" otherwise.   I was the same.  I did not even start with a local encologist, but went straight in to the people who could probably  know the most about lung cancer treatment, and it's lung cancer, no matter where it spreads.   First of all, I believe your dr. should NOT say there is hope for only one year or NOT prevent that pain.   These 2 things alone makes me want to say to go for another opinion at a major cancer center like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), or Cancer Centers of America, or  there are others.   They will give you 2nd opinions on the best course of action and they would say there is always hope.  There are oncologists there who deal with only metastacized lung cancer and keep up with the latest in treatments and new drugs being tested.  Others cannot be that specialized or have access to the clinical trials which can have excellent and effective treatment.   I have Stage IV lung cancer which was diagnosed September of 08, late.    Had gone from lungs to back bones.    We started treatment on a clinical trial which combined Tarceva and Avastin.   My tumors were reduced to almost nonexistent within a few weeks and there were few side effects.   I did have a strong reaction to the Zometa.   This coming Tues. I will have another Zometa infusion and will take an allergy medication before and immediately start on Tylenol after to keep that violent fever at bay.   It is common, but we want those backbones strengthened.   The worst eaten away spot on my backbone has already grown back.   We're having a bit of trouble lately, in that the Tarceva is appearing to let some cancer come back and we may have to turn to another drug.   This is a very short time for Tarceva to work.  Many last 3 to 5 years on it, without progression.   Progression is a tern in Stage IV lung cancer treatment where one drug ceases to work and they  must turn to another, the cancer cells have changed a bit and are not stopped by the current treatment.   I quit my estrogen therapy in hopes that might help.  They have discovered in mice that lung cancer cells can also have estrogren receptors on them and keep the Tarceva from working.   Will know more this week.    I know SCCA says it is very important to have good treatment from the beginning.   About faith:  just before my original diagnosis, a daughter had loaned me the book THE SHACK, which is about a man who had a horrible thing happen in his life, he was mad at God, and God invited him to go to the shack for a weekend so they could get to know each other and the guy could get over his anger.   Mission accomplished.   There are stacks and stacks of this best-selling book in our local Costco.    I went into this trauma able to think about walking through the woods with God and talking about this and knowing God had it under control, bringing it again to him if I let myself not trust.    God is all powerful and did everything to make it possible for us to be with him.   He has a plan.   He knows the way through the wilderness.   Last week I read about a man who loved the story of Peter walking on water.   The minute Peter looked at the monster waves, he began to sink.  He needed to keep his mind on who god is, what he has promised, and that he could take care of it.   I'll quit with this:  Please contact a major cancer center to get their opinion.   You can do a google search for SCCA and there is a place to click on "contact. " Most of these centers will get right with you.  They know the trauma and they know that time is important.   One of the doctors at my center offered to bring his laptop and look at my tests at a concert one night when I was first diagnosed.  They know how we feel and that we need help NOW.   That feeling of care is important.   I'm praying for you as I write.   Keep writing here and reading and you'll get many answers.  

I too have read the Shack, it is an amazing journey.  My husband never has been much on reading but your right I should encourage him to read it.  I know I certainly got a lot out of it.  Can I ask had the cancer already reached your brain or was it restricted to the lungs and trunk? He is being treated at the Tate Cancer Center by Dr. DeLuca, he is the head of the cancer center.  I will talk to his doctor about the drugs you mentioned.
Thank you so much for the encouragement.  I will continue to read this link.

God Bless and keep fighting the fight.........

 

The cancer had not gone to the brain.    I sure didn't like it being in my back!    I read often here about those who do get it to the brain, however.   Many of the people in this chatroom are being helped by Tarceva.   I was also given another book written by a cancer survivor, not lung cancer, but one where the gal had to have many awful surgeries.   That gal left no stone unturned:    she ate right, made tapes of music and verses and poetry that she could listen to maybe in the middle of the night or while taking a pet scan or in one of her many hospital stays, had people praying for her from many groups, went to see water before any major treatmentbecause it calmed her and raised her spirits, went searching for doctors who would work to cure her.   She gave me the idea to get 5 x 7's made of photos of family that make me chuckle or just delight and place them around the house.   If I'm starting to feel down, we go out for a walk, call someone to play cards, etc. -- generally create a happy distraction.  Those endorphins are important.   And my quality of life is great.   After all, our reality for the day is important.   God says to ask for our DAILY bread.   My encologist emphasizes to go do the things you like to do, to live, and he'll do his best to make the remaining days or years quality.  I'll keep watching for your chats.

 

 

The cancer had

The pain meds work for a while and then he is in agony.  He is taking a steroid 1x daily, oxycontin 10 mg 3x daily, and percaset 10/325 in between.  His back and arms seem to be giving him the most pain.  He does not want to do anything.  Now he is afarid he will fall.  We went out for an ice cream cone last night and when we were coming back in the house he lost his balance and almost fell.  I caught him - I told him I am strong and will not let him fall.  He can not lay down in bed since the bone biopsy.  Hurts his back and shoulder too much.  The pain meds don't seem to really remove the pain just dulls it and makes it tollerable for a while.   He sleeps and sits in our futon chair all day.  The most enjoyable part of his day is watching TV (MASH and the Golden Girls) and our dog Clancy lays next to him all day.

His apatite was good until they started the radiation and gave him the ZOMETA.  He just does not want to eat much at all.  This morning he ate because I said I was not going to eat.  But that was just and egg sandwich.  I did add Silk, and turmeric to the egg and cooked it in olive oil and put it on wheat toast so it did have nutritional value.