Port implant - December 19...

I was the only one anxious.  Paul was fine.  We got there about 8 a.m. and he went in about 9 a.m. and finished by 10.  They gave him Versid and pain meds.  No problems - went well - no pain.  As usual he was hungry and ate a big breakfast before we left for home at noon.

This port will make chemo treatments and blood draws so much easier as his veins are hard to find and deal with. 

Tomorrow is his first chemotherapy treatment at the VA hospital in Syracuse.  They are a special group of nurses and doctors there and he will be well taken care of.  I will hang out and give support, etc.  Just hoping side effects are minimal and we can celebrate Christmas as planned.

Happy Holidays!

Tags: port, chemotherapy, lung cancer

First trip to oncologist after Ct scan

December 5 - Dr. Palozzi was impressed at how well Paul tolerated the radiation with very few side effects and obvious improvement to his breathing.  He said there was "shrinkage" but a little early to know the final results as radiation continues to work weeks and months after finished.

Dr. set up date for implanting a "port" in Paul's chest to administer chemtherapy treatments.  Treatments start on December 20 with one each month for probably 4 months.  After a couple treatments he will have tests done to see how well the treatments are working!

Here is Paul walking Penny - his main form of exercise - going to get the mail....

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CT Scan

November 19 was Paul's first Ct scan after radiation.  Doctor will get results and we will know at his next appointment to what extent the radiation has worked or is working - radiation continues to "work" for weeks after and sometimes months.  His only side effects have been a little "burn" area on chest and back - doctor gave him cream for that.

He is more fatigues which is to be expected but nothing serious.  Otherwise, he feels much better, breathing better, etc.

Celebration!!

Veterans Day!

We celebrated the day by going out to dinner with our oldest son and family. My husband spent 20 years in the Army, two years in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart.  We are very proud of him.

 We do not have any results of the radiation yet - officially.  However, we KNOW it worked - to what extent we will find out in a couple weeks.  Today official results  did not matter.  Paul feels great, did not need oxygen to get to the restaurant - ate a big meal but brought enough home for tomorrow.

Attitude is good - happy is good and state of mind is everything.

Each day is very special!

Tags: lung cancer, radiation

LAST radiation treatment....

Happy that Paul's last radiation treatment is over.  They gave him a cute diploma!  They are so nice there.  One girl said, " hope we never see you again" (not here anyway!).

Side effects are minimal - sunburn looking skin on chest in both spots and little on his back.  Throat dry and a little uncomfortable but no pain.  Some intermittent short pains in his chest which will get better.  Some stomach upset but not all the time.

He will return for checkup 4 weeks - which means November 19 is CT scan and December 5 appointments with both VA oncologist and radiology oncologist. 

We are going to try and relax until then - do other appointments - dental, etc. and spend some time with family. 

More after results!  Probably chemo next!

Short update...

Today is the beginning of the last 10 treatments.  Everyone is encouraged that the tumors have shrunk.  Paul is feeling generally GREAT!  He still has periods of fatigue, little skin itching but nothing serious.  He uses his oximeter to test his oxygen levels often and is able to go without any oxygen most of the time.  He still uses it at night and will until he talks with his pulmonary doctor.

I am going with him and driving home from his treatments but yesterday he drove to our sons and back - 30 miles - for dinner and some football and climbed our sons stairs with no oxygen and no problems with short of breath.  Of course, mainly because of his bad back he has to move slowly anyway.  He also has been having problems with his ankles and not sure what that is related to but will keep an eye on it and have it checked out.

CT scan is November 23 and Doctor report on December 5.  We will enjoy the Fall and expect only the BEST news then.

Good news!

Paul saw three doctors today - radiology oncologist, oncologist at VA and pulmonary doctor.

All were pleased with progress 1/2 way through his radiation treatments.  Only side effect worth talking about is itching where radiation goes in - doctor gave him some cream to help!

At VA he had pulmonary function test and number were generally better than last time.  His blood test also showed no anemia, etc.  His oxygen levels were high even without oxygen.

Three weeks after radiation is finished he will have a chest CT scan to see how the radiation worked (we know it is working) and then he will see oncologist about chemo treatments.

We are very encouraged and although tired of driving and riding to radiation every day - we are doing fine.

Elaine

Four weeks to go ....

Here he is mowing after 17 radiation treatments.  Definitely feels better physically except for fatigue (less short of breath) - he has to rest more.  Still drives to treatments and I usually drive home.  No really bad side effects from radiation - little skin itching.  We both get tired but rest a lot and don't worry about little things - like mowing the lawn.  Today he felt like doing it - we do things as we feel up to it with family and friends helping.  Radiation treatments end on November 2.

Until later!  Elaine

Starting radiation treatments...

September 13... first radiation treatment.  There will be 37, then 3 weeks tests to see if it worked (we know it worked).  Everyone at the radiotherapy clinic are great, friendly and helpful.  Only takes about 15 minutes for the treatment.  Just the long drive - 25 miles one way - tiring but very doable.  More later.

Trip to primary care doctor...

Went to Va for primary care visit.  His NP (who is a very nice young man) looked over all blood tests and other tests unrelated to lung cancer.  Diabetes three month test (A1C) was very good.  Thyroid is normal.

He saw no reason no to go ahead with epidural for chronic back pain tomorrow.

 

First step....

September 8, 2007

Husband went for simulation and initial CT scan and placement of marks for radiotion therapy.  Took about 45 minutes and will be "tweaked" on next visit after radiology oncologist and his staff - techs, etc. make decisions on treatment length and amount. 

First appointment with radiology oncologist

Dr. Randall seems very nice, soft spoken, and answering all our questions.  He has not received the PET scan yet but looking over the written results and recommendations from the onocologist at the VA hospital he is considering treatments 5 days a week for 7 weeks.

Treatments are...

The Theraplan 3D Conformal Treatment Planning offered by Radiotherapy Associates gives patients the best of cancer control. After the patient undergoes a CAT scan, the anatomical information is entered into a specialized computer. The sophisticated treatment planning computer program helps define the technique for delivering high doses of radiation to the tumor while minimizing the dose to normal surrounding tissue. Your physician’s expertise coupled with advanced computerized 3D technology creates the possibility to control and cure of cancer with amazing accuracy.

Friday he goes for CT scan and "tatooing" where radiation will be administered.  Hoping all goes well so he can start treatments next week.  Sooner he does - sooner it is GONE!!

 

Tags: lung cancer

Second visit with oncologist

August 31, 2007 - second trip to oncologist to find out results of latest CT scan and bone scan.  CT scan showed slight growth of both masses - right being largest - left lung small.  NO evidence of spread in CT scan or bone scan.  That is the best news!  He has appointment September 5 with radiologist oncologist at an imaging center to start radiation treatments.  Probably some of the best news he could get considering cancer in both lungs. 

Total bone scan

Paul went to VA hospital for nuclear total bone scan.  Took about 3 hours - injection of dye, waiting and then scan.  No problems there with scan.  Results next week at doctor.

First visit to oncologist

August 20 - extensive visit with oncologist to recommend path of treatment.

Paul has cancer in both lungs but oncologist has reason to believe it is two separate cancers - not spread from right to left.  Therefore, he is going to start with radiation treatments - every weekday for several weeks to be determined by radiologist oncologist according to size and position of the two masses.

A newer CT scan is scheduled for Thursday and we can only hope nothing has changed.  There has been no signs of spreading to any lymphy nodes or organs so far - hoping it stays that way.

More news later.

How it all began and progressed to now...

This journey all started in December, 2006.  Paul had surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.  Due to that surgery his medication had to be adjusted for his blood pressure several times. 

April 18, 2007 - Last time it took him by ambulance to the VA hospital, Syracuse, NY. He had a virus but not serious - just maybe a little dehydrated and dropped his blood pressure dangerously low.  In the emergency room they took an xray of his lungs looking for pneumonia.  That is the first appearance of a "fuzzy" area in his right lung - so the journey had begun.

May 2, 2007 -needle biopsy of "fuzzy" area (now called a mass) in the upper lobe of his right lung.  Inconclusive results due to a partial pneumothorax and doctor could not finish the biopsy.  He was in hospital about 3 days with chest tube to reinflate the lung.

May 21, 2007 - CT scan showed mass had grown to about 5 cm. (not sure from what size).

May 31, 2007 - PET scan at North Medical.  Results showed mass to light up enough for his pulmonary doctor to request another biopsy. 

June 14, 2007 - Second needle biopsy went well but was also inconclusive for cancer.

June 25, 2007 - Dr. Kaul, his wonderful pulmonary doctor, did a bronoscopy on the right lung with positive results for non-small cell squamous cancer.  At least we now know what we are dealing with.  However, CT scan also showed a small nodule on left lung.  The doctor said Paul would need a biopsy to rule out cancer in left lung to have surgery to remove right lobe and right lung cancer. 

August 3, 2007 - Needle biopsy on left lung at Upstate Medical Center showed cancer has spread to left from right lung.  Therefore, it is in the blood stream and surgery not an option.

August 20, 2007 - Appointment scheduled with Oncology at VA hospital to review and decide on treatment options.

Journal

I will be starting a chronological account of diagnosing Paul's lung cancer and treatments.  I will try to keep it up and results, etc. to maybe help others.  Stay tuned!

Tags: Elaine and Paul - married 46 years