Yesterday I went with Pete to his appointment with Dr. E, the neurosurgeon. He wasn't happy to have me tagging along, but I'm glad I went even though he pretty much gave me the silent treatment to show his displeasure. I can understand his reluctance on one level, and my intention is certainly not to make him feel that he is incapable of doing things or taking care of himself. I just believe that it is in his, and my, best interest to be his "co-pilot" on this journey; to be a second pair of ears and to help him ask questions, not because he can't do these things himself, but because sometimes your mind takes you in one direction, while missing what may be in another. I am there to support him, as well as for my own peace of mind.
We sat in the waiting room for some time before getting called in to see the doctor. Sitting was very uncomfortable for Pete as he has had a flare up of his lower back problems. He's suffered with pain (herniated disks) that radiates down one or both legs for several years, and sitting for any length of time can quickly become excruciatingly uncomfortable for him.
When we were finally called in Dr. E went through the films and put a couple of them to the viewing light. He pointed out the area where the first tumor was removed and noted a small white spot that he said was most likely scar tissue from the surgery and he began to take the films down. That caused a bit of confusion as that tumor was on the left side and the spot that had been indicated on the report said it was on the right, so we questioned him about that. He looked at the films, then went to the report and re-read it, and sure enough, it did identify a small spot on the right. Back to the films, he shuffled them around, put 2 more up and studied them. Finally he pointed out a very small white spot, barely visible on the right side (left side of the film image since everything is reversed) and said that it might be this that they were referring to as he couldn't find any other spot.
The fact that he had difficulty finding the spot that the radiologist had mentioned in the report actually made me feel a bit better. For one thing, it confirmed the fact that it is indeed very minute, so it may be the "blood vessel on end" as the Dr. W2 (radiation oncologist) mentioned. The other is that, though Dr. E (neurosurgeon) had to take a second look to find what was identified in the report, the radiologist, the specialist in reading and interpreting films, did make note of it as something to be monitored closely with another follow-up MRI.
This morning Pete had a Contrast-cocktail to drink at 7 AM and another at 9 before his CT scan scheduled for 10. This is to check the status of his lung mets/chest/pelvis/etc. The actual results/report will be presented by Dr. W (hematology oncologist) when he goes in for the next round of chemo this coming Tues, Wed & Thurs.
He's scheduled to work tomorrow after an early morning appointment with the neurologist. If he ever does need to see a neurologist after this, he will seek out a different doctor. Considering all the doctors he has visited in the past year or so, this is the only one with whom Pete had not been pleased, as mentioned before.
Showing posts with label CT scan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CT scan. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hope and Fear - September 17, 2009
Today Pete has the first CT scan since the chemo began. The doctors have indicated that they should be able to see some results, some change since the original scan. I don't think we'll be getting the results today because the scan is being done in the Basking Ridge facility and the doctors are at the main campus in Manhattan. He has an appointment there this coming Tuesday.
The treatments are beginning to affect him to the point where he is applying for disability. The people at work have been very supportive, but it's becoming very difficult for him to continue working. There is also a concern, because he works in the pharmacy, that his close contact with so many people who may be harboring germs, bacteria, viruses (including H1N1), etc. may jeopardize his health due to his weakened immune system.
I'm hoping that there will be such a marked improvement on the scan that they will tell us before we leave today.
The treatments are beginning to affect him to the point where he is applying for disability. The people at work have been very supportive, but it's becoming very difficult for him to continue working. There is also a concern, because he works in the pharmacy, that his close contact with so many people who may be harboring germs, bacteria, viruses (including H1N1), etc. may jeopardize his health due to his weakened immune system.
I'm hoping that there will be such a marked improvement on the scan that they will tell us before we leave today.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
And So It Starts Over - September 02, 2009
Tuesday the chemo started over with the single dose. Next Tuesday, the double dose followed by white blood cell booster on Thursday.
His reaction so far, is good. He wasn't completely wiped out like he was after the last 2 times. Tomorrow will be the real test, though, as he felt pretty good the day after each of the other treatments and didn't really feel lousy until the second day.
The 17th is the big day. That's when he's scheduled for the CT scan. The nurse said that if there is any change they should be able to see it then.
My routine gets all thrown out of whack when I drive into the city. I don't track what I eat on those days, at least not on the computer. I still keep track mentally, but I know I don't wind up as "balanced" as I do when I enter it into the nutrition tracker.
The fire out near where my daughter lives in California is still burning, but it is contained.
Tomorrow is another day.
His reaction so far, is good. He wasn't completely wiped out like he was after the last 2 times. Tomorrow will be the real test, though, as he felt pretty good the day after each of the other treatments and didn't really feel lousy until the second day.
The 17th is the big day. That's when he's scheduled for the CT scan. The nurse said that if there is any change they should be able to see it then.
My routine gets all thrown out of whack when I drive into the city. I don't track what I eat on those days, at least not on the computer. I still keep track mentally, but I know I don't wind up as "balanced" as I do when I enter it into the nutrition tracker.
The fire out near where my daughter lives in California is still burning, but it is contained.
Tomorrow is another day.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Hoping... - August 25, 2009
Well, he's feeling pretty good. Friday was a bit of a problem - he described it as feeling like he had a bad hangover - terrible headache, dizzy, fuzzy, achy (of course I couldn't relate to that feeling, right?) so he didn't go to work. Saturday was much better and since its inventory time he didn't have to go in until 2 PM, so that gave him even more time to recoup and get back to normal.
Sunday is his day off, so back to regular hours yesterday. Inventory continues today, so he was out the door before 5 AM and plans on going fishing on his boat with a couple of his buddies this afternoon since he'll be getting off early.
I've noticed that he's not coughing. Before he started the chemo he had been coughing, the kind that sounds as if there's some congestion and it had been getting more and more frequent. I was getting nervous every time he coughed. The coughing started to subside several days after the first chemo treatment. He coughed less and less frequently each day since and I haven't heard him cough at all the past couple of days. Could this possibly be a good sign?
I asked him if the doctors had told him how far into the chemo they might be able to detect a change in the lesions in his lungs. He said that they told him it could be as early as after the first round, but certainly after the second. If his cough was in any way connected to the cancer then it may be that the chemo is doing its job. I sure hope that's what's happening.
The CT scan is scheduled for Sept 17th, the week after he's completed the second full course of treatments. That's when we'll hopefully be getting some good news.
Sunday is his day off, so back to regular hours yesterday. Inventory continues today, so he was out the door before 5 AM and plans on going fishing on his boat with a couple of his buddies this afternoon since he'll be getting off early.
I've noticed that he's not coughing. Before he started the chemo he had been coughing, the kind that sounds as if there's some congestion and it had been getting more and more frequent. I was getting nervous every time he coughed. The coughing started to subside several days after the first chemo treatment. He coughed less and less frequently each day since and I haven't heard him cough at all the past couple of days. Could this possibly be a good sign?
I asked him if the doctors had told him how far into the chemo they might be able to detect a change in the lesions in his lungs. He said that they told him it could be as early as after the first round, but certainly after the second. If his cough was in any way connected to the cancer then it may be that the chemo is doing its job. I sure hope that's what's happening.
The CT scan is scheduled for Sept 17th, the week after he's completed the second full course of treatments. That's when we'll hopefully be getting some good news.
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