Today was a long day! Thanks for being patient. My scan results show a mixed bag or results, but essentially no change from the prior scan in early January. Inflammatory changes from pneumonia are still present on the scan despite being clinically resolved since mid December (We don't know why they are taking so long to resolve radiologically). More significantly all prior identified lung nodules are unchanged. This is good news in that there are no new nodules (tumors), prior identified lung nodules didn't grow bigger/stable size, & no new metastatic disease was found anywhere :-)! Not in the liver or abdomen, or anywhere other than lungs. It is a bit disappointing that they did not shrink, but maybe 3 rounds was just not enough. Given these findings we have decided to move forward with exploring the possibility of surgery to remove all nodules (cancerous & potentially inflammatory nodules - this is the only way to be certain what they are is to remove & send them to pathology). This also provides an opportunity to send the pathology samples for further review potentially enabling a more targeted approach with any further chemo that I might receive. Another possibility is to attach some of the nodules with cyberknife radiation (cutting with targeted radiation instead of a scalpel). All of the options will be considered once we talk to a surgeon). After receiving all of this info I went to the infusion center for a another round of chemo to prevent further tumor growth while my oncologist consults with a respected thoracic oncologist surgeon & a highly reguarded colleague, Dr. George Fisher @ Stanford Med Center.
I am excited about the opportunity to remove the tumors. Get those darn nasty tumors out of my body! This is my best chance for a cure!! Once I learn more about details, dates, etc. I will post again, but I wanted to share what I am considering good news.
Now, I am off to bed to do some more healing!
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