Got some results, still waiting for the rest
This morning Joanie and I met with my pulmonary oncologist. Because he has access to all the scans and test results, we expected to get a complete diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis. But that didn’t happen. Some of the biopsy results won’t be available for another 2-3 weeks and until then, he won’t know the whole picture.
But here’s what we know about the diagnosis. There is a very
large mass surrounding and invading the main bronchial tube where it enters the
right lung. The lung has not collapsed and that suggests air is still able to
enter the lung but the air flow is greatly restricted. The rate of growth of
the mass is classified as “intermediate.” There are also numerous metastatic
lesions in both of my lungs and my liver, and single metastatic lesions in my
brain and one rib. Therefore it is classified as a Stage 4 cancer.
Today was my third radiation treatment targeting the mass. The
purpose of the radiation treatments is to shrink the mass so that breathing
will be easier. It is palliative, not curative.
In addition to radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy or targeted
therapy will probably be recommended but knowing which to pursue requires
waiting 2-3 weeks for the remaining biopsy results. In the meantime, we have
three options: (1) Begin full-strength chemotherapy now and consider revising
the type of chemo and/or the dosage when the remaining results are available;
(2) Begin less than full-strength chemotherapy now and consider revising the
type of chemo and/or the dosage when the remaining results are available; and
(3) Wait until the remaining results are available before deciding on and
starting chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Because the mass is classified as “intermediate” rather than “aggressive,”
and because doing radiation and chemo at the same time can cause undesirable side
effects, the doctor recommended waiting until the remaining results are
available before deciding on and starting chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted
therapy. Even though Joanie and I feel that it may be wise to be doing
something instead of nothing, as of this evening we’re inclined to go with the
doctor’s recommendation.
Near the end of our visit, we asked what the doctor felt my
prognosis was. He replied that until he has all the biopsy results, he can’t
forecast a meaningful prognosis.
Keep up the fight! Our thoughts are with you. Rob McLemore
ReplyDeleteBe comforted.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal journey, Ken. My prayers are with you & Joanie. 🤗
ReplyDeleteNancy and I are praying for healing. We do know that forecasting is a hard job! MD Anderson sounds like a good idea also.
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