Hi,
My brother Nat (38) was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in march 2003, has an upper right lobectomy done on 4/24/03 and the lymph nodes were biopsied and we were told he was fine and to follow up with his PCP. His PCP recommended that he consult with an oncologist who recommend that Nat go on a cisplatin-based chemo as a precautionary measure. During the past 3 months he continually had pains in his back and legs. We went to either the doctors or emergency room at least 2 times a week not including the oncologist visits twice weekly. They kept telling him that it is his Sciatic nerve. But he kept getting progressively worse all they did was increase his pain meds no additional tests. Finally his oncologist told him she didn’t like the way he looked and how much pain he was in and she sent him for an MRI.
The MRI showed that he did have a herniated disc, which is pressing on his L4 nerve root. In addition to that finding they also noted that there were lesions on both iliac wings and tailbone and recommended further diagnostic testing to be done. All of the tests confirmed that the cancer has spread to the iliac wings (hip bones) tailbone, multiple ribs and both lungs.
I questioned the oncologist as to how that happened when chemo was just optional for him and how could the cancer come back with such a vengeance while on chemo? All i got was the "all cancers are different and don’t respond to chemo" speech.
I also questioned his PCP as too why she didn't do any testing earlier knowing he had lung cancer just a few months earlier. Needless to say I am furious with the doctors now.
Just think 8 months ago he finished rebuilding the inside of our house (he lives with me) including all new floors, stairs, walls, tiling in both the kitchen and bathrooms. And now he can barely open a bottle top without help. Its killing me to see him deteriorate so quickly right before my eyes and my other brother doesn’t come around as often anymore because it breaking his heart as well to see Nat this way. I keep a strong front while he’s around and I haven’t told him just how bad he is. He knows that the cancer has spread to his bones but he states he'll beat. God knows that I pray everyday that he will.
They stopped the chemo for now and started radiation therapy just last week. I guess that I am hoping that this message will empower someone else to be more aggressive with their doctors to seek earlier testing to prevent the spreading of this horrific cancer before it becomes to late and the suffering is so severe.
God Bless all cancer patients may you all beat the odds!!!!!!