CancerCompass message board discussion started by tongrenhealer on 3/11/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21869,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Last week was quite a ride, and my schoolwork got overwhelming because I got behind somehow (wonder how that could have happened?), so I realized I never truly posted what happened. So after the PET's were misread, then finally read 3 weeks later, we thought radiologist our oncologist uses would reread them, but he wouldn't. We redid PET and CT last week with same results as 1 month previous. So it would appear that after bowel resection and before January CT and PET a few weeks later, the cancer began to be active again. Small lit spot in hilar node, and small lights on lung nodules. Nodules appear to be cavitary lesions which aren't usually mets, and it appears to be just lurking perhaps. Dr said if we were uncomfortable with it, she could do more chemo (the same which would make it round 4 of cisplatin, docetaxol,and irinotecan), which didn't seem like the way to go for us. In fact, I laughed at the thought of subjecting him to that ordeal again (at least a few of you must think I'm a total idiot by now not to go after it with everything). She said it was very non-specific, not black and white, and driving her a little crazy because we have not been textbook and still aren't (thank God!). It isn't raging, so if it were her she would be inclined to take the time with her husband while he was feeling well and do something enjoyable. He looks well (other than difficulty gaining back weight he lost with bowel resection), feels well, and has responded really well to all his treatments (other than the debilitating vomiting and diarrhea, that is). We are keeping appt for CT next month which was originally scheduled as follow up before misreads, and using last two as baseline for post bowel resection. If there is growth in the future we can go after it then. Until I actually see that moment manifest, I will not consider it. I told her I will keep tapping and lasering my doll, and she can keep scratching her head over why he defies the odds. I really believe the only reason we saw growth was opening him up and suppressing his immune system, and that tongren is an amazing help to the immune system, so it is not behaving as EC normally would and going into a rage. tongrenhealer Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT You know, I really believe that having a positive attitude is what allows people to stay "well" with this thing. It sounds as though you both are in agreement about chemo at this point. From what you've shared with us before, I don't blame you one bit! Be optimistically cautious and just enjoy being together while you both can enjoy it!I am glad to know that you finally have some reliable results. The unknown can almost be unbearable.As far as school goes...many days I pray "Lord, just show me how to balance it all." Keep us posted and have fun!  GeorgesGirl Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT