CancerCompass message board discussion started by GeorgesGirl on 7/3/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25707,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello Everyone,I have some exciting news. We are going back to UPMC from July 22-24 for an EUS and PET/CT. We will meet with Dr. Luketich on the 24th to get the test results and find out if surgery is an option for Daddy. He has done very well over the last 3-4 weeks-he's beginning to act and look like a much lighter version of himself before diagnosis!  However, he is very anxious about the PET/CT. Not the results, but the procedure itself. He's never liked to be closed in but it was never an issue until EC. I'm not sure if its all the procedures that he's had done or if the anxiety is a side effect of chemo. Nevertheless, he's losing sleep over it even though he knows he is going to take medication to help him relax. They are putting him to sleep for the EUS; I wish they could just roll him on through the PET/CT before they wake him up!  :)For me, I very much want to know how well he has responded to treatment but I am scared of what else they may find. I'm sure many people go through these same emotions when they are facing these types of tests as well.If you could, would you please pray and send positive thoughts our way during the week of the 22nd? We would appreciate it so much. I have said this before, this board has been a wonderful source of information and help since dx. I can't thank you enough.You are all in my prayers daily. Love,Chrysti GeorgesGirl Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Chrysti - My Dad also hated feeling closed in.  He didn't have to do any tests for follow up to chemo because the chemo killed him, which, in my Dad's case was, I believe, divine intervention.  It sounds like your Dad is responding well to treatment.  How wonderful!!!!  Having been a Daddy's girl, even at 47, I just wanted you to know that I will being praying for your Dad!  Please keep us posted on how things go.  I don't post too much now, but, I read the boards everyday to see how the wonderful warriors and their fabulous caretakers are doing.  Karen Worriedsick Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I just went through my CT scan and have had MRI's for various problems and your Dad will get by with some meds to relax him.  I have been dealing with anxiety and phobias for over twenty two yrs. I have your Dad and you on my prayer list. I have connections.  Phil A. Phil A. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Chrysti, Always glad to see positive updates on your Dad. Will say extra prayers for you. I think the tests cause a lot of anxiety even before you factor in things like discomfort with being in an enclosed space for PET/CT. I guess a positive would be that they can do the PET and CT together now which means less radiation and less time going through the actual procedures since two have become one. Maybe he could focus on that thought instead of the anxiety. 2-3 weeks till tests is a lot of anxiety. Hope all is well with you, that you are getting a summer break, and enjoying the moment. Good luck with the tests. Suya tongrenhealer Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Peace life a river to you and your dad!  My mom is always relaxed about the procedures, it is waiting for the results that scares the socks off of us!  You will have my prayers and I'll light a candle for your dad.  I visit an on-line candle lighting website just about every day.  Here's the address in case you'd like to light one on your dad's behalf.http://www.voicesbeyond.net/Virtual_Candle.html How was your dad's cancer staged?   Advocate of Hope Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Chrysti,  I'll be praying too.  Glad you have some plan to follow and that the doctors are keeping you informed.  Your Dad is coping with a lot right now and it is common to be nervous and/or terrified.  I think we all have been that way on our EC journey.  Reassure him that the PET/CT scan is not like an MRI where they put the person inside of something.  He will lay on a flat moving table and just pass through the x-ray equipment.  It can be nerve-wracking at first, but if the hospital has good equipment, it will go quickly and I agree....now that they have combined the PET/CT scan into one it is so much better than the old way.  I had an MRI of my head and that was quite loud and noisy, but the PET/CT is relatively quiet and sometimes they play music.  God bless you both.  I pray that the results of the scan are very hopeful.  Miracles still happen. doingfine Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for your response and prayers. I am going to check out that website too!Daddy is stage III. Originally he was labeled as stage IV incorrectly. It was assumed that a mass in the rt lung was EC mets. It was later determined to be lung matter. What a blessing! GeorgesGirl Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, and words of advice! I know you are tired of hearing me say how much this board means to me, but I just have to say it anyway! There is something about "talking" with people who are dealing with EC and all the issues and complications that come with it, that is comforting to me. No matter what the need of the caregiver or patient, you all are always there with encouragement and advice. Thank you.I can't wait to read all your responses to my dad! GeorgesGirl Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for explaining the differences between an MRI and PET/CT. After I read it I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" All of  these tests and procedures sometimes run together after a while. I am sure that knowing what your shared will help to put his mind at ease. I am not going to wait until I see him to share this one. I am going to call him first thing tomorrow! GeorgesGirl Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Worried Sick,I have thought about you a lot-particularly when my dad was going through and chemo and dealing with the side effects. It so gracious of you to continue to offer your support and advice to the members of this board. Thank you! GeorgesGirl Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had cancer of the left tonsil and had to wear a mask for radiation treatments.  The oncologist prescribed Ativan for me to take for anxiety and it helped immensely - and I am claustophobic.  My dad has also been prescribed Ativan prior to MRIs and CTs and he is worse than I am at close spaces.  It helped him tremendously.    Dlynn1210 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Chrysti - thanks for your kind words!  EC has left me with an unusual bond, if you will, to this board and all of you wonderful people.   The people on this board were a life line for me while my Dad fought his fast and furious battle with EC.  The only place I felt I could truly share and be truly honest and gather valuable info fast, was here.  I read every day, but, sometimes it's just too painful to respond depending on the situation.  Anyway, I am so thrilled your Dad is responding so well and I just know he will get his surgery!    You are such a wonderful daughter Chrysti!  No matter  what   your Dad's outcome is (I KNOW it will be wonderful though :-), you will be so honored to have been there as a caregiver for him.  Please, keep us posted and you and your Dad are definitely in my thoughts and prayers!!   karen  Worriedsick Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Dlynn,Ativan is wonderful! Daddy was given it when he was in the hospital one of these times and he remains on it now. He takes it every 6 hours. Our concern is, that since he takes it everyday, it may not be very effective for the PET/CT. The drs. have talked and his PCP is going to give him a one time dose of something stronger. Hopefully that will work!Thanks for your advice:)   GeorgesGirl Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Karen,I know what you mean about the connection you feel with everyone on this board. There's just nothing like it when you're facing this terrible disease. That you for your kind words. I do truely feel that it is an honor and a pleasure to help care for my dad. When he was diagnosed I made a promise to myself that I would have no regrets and so far I haven't had any. I'm going to make sure that continues.I will be sure to update everyone when we get our results.Thanks,Chrysti   GeorgesGirl Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Chrysti,          You have our prayers. I will make sure to say some extras during the week of the 22nd. I feel for your Dad. I don't like closed in spaces and I also have a fear of being put to sleep. Before he knows it it will be over and he can get those good results. I am a big fan of this board too. I have said many times I could not have gotten through my mama's EC without this board and the wonderful people here. Wishing you and your dad the best. Please let us know as soon as you have news.                                                                               Pat Patty5 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/3/2008 GeorgesGirl wrote:Hello Everyone,I have some exciting news. We are going back to UPMC from July 22-24 for an EUS and PET/CT. We will meet with Dr. Luketich on the 24th to get the test results and find out if surgery is an option for Daddy. He has done very well over the last 3-4 weeks-he's beginning to act and look like a much lighter version of himself before diagnosis!  However, he is very anxious about the PET/CT. Not the results, but the procedure itself. He's never liked to be closed in but it was never an issue until EC. I'm not sure if its all the procedures that he's had done or if the anxiety is a side effect of chemo. Nevertheless, he's losing sleep over it even though he knows he is going to take medication to help him relax. They are putting him to sleep for the EUS; I wish they could just roll him on through the PET/CT before they wake him up!  :)For me, I very much want to know how well he has responded to treatment but I am scared of what else they may find. I'm sure many people go through these same emotions when they are facing these types of tests as well.If you could, would you please pray and send positive thoughts our way during the week of the 22nd? We would appreciate it so much. I have said this before, this board has been a wonderful source of information and help since dx. I can't thank you enough.You are all in my prayers daily. Love,ChrystiHi ChrystiI just had a PetScan done and it was not bad. They can not have him out because they will tell him to raise his arms and other things. He will not be inside that thing long at all. It goes pretty fast. I will keep him and your family in my prayers. I have esophagal cancer too preparing to go for Radiation Treatment. I have two beautiful daughters and both are Daddy's Girls too. God Bless you and your family. Dennis DennisB12 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT