Follow up to last question

On 12/31/12, I posted a question regarding a hot spot on my most recent PET scan.  So far no one has answered or commented.  How long does it usually take to get a response?

[woshari]

thank you for your response.  As oned, I will be having another EBUS test this Friday.  we're hoping it will still not show any cancer cells.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Good luck with the procedure. Hope you are on antibiotics, as infections can sometimes cause a hot spot. If you have other symptoms like loss of appetite or dizziness ask for PET scan imaging of other areas as well. Just cautioning you. Take Care.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[woshari]

Thanks for your followup response.  The EBUS test went well, but I won't have results until the end of this week.  I was given antibiotics for the staph infection which I completed.  Whenever I have had a PET scan, it has been from my neck to my thighs.  I'll let you know my EBUS results.

[woshari]

Well, it was a good thing I had the 2nd EBUS test.  This time the biopsies came back positive for adenocarcinoma. My oncologist recommended radiation and chemo.  She feels that this is still curable.  I'm trying to be positive, but quite honestly, I'm very scared of the treatments and the outcome.  Any comments would be appreciated.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. If the biopsies are positive and therapy with chemo and radio is initiated early, then the prognosis will be good. With this try to eat a balanced diet, and if you smoke try and quit. Good Luck with your therapy.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[woshari]

Thank you for your response.  The radiation and chemo will be started soon.  I will meet with the radiology oncologist and the chemo oncologist this week to make the necessary arrangements to begin.  I will keep you posted as to how I react to the treatments.  It actually helps to have these conversations.  Thanks again.

[woshari]

I started my treatments this week--1 chemo and 2 radiation treatments.  So far the only side effects are from the steroids they gave me with the chemo to lesson the chance of an allergic reaction.  Since I am a diabetic, they are making my glucose levels go up and down, but my endocrinologist is monitoring the numbers.  I'm still depressed a lot, but trying to be positive.  There is a long road ahead.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The chemo and radiation therapy are usually given in cycles, closely monitoring any side effects and the results of therapy. A follow up test or imaging studies will help study the response to therapy. And like you mentioned a proper diabetic control is essential as the blood sugars keep fluctuating with therapy. Just try to divert your mind and keep yourself engaged with activities which will help you relax, this will take the pressure of you. Take Care and Wish you well.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[woshari]

Again--thanks for the response.  As far as I know, I will have 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days /week.  Once each week I will also have chemo.  After the radiation is complete, I will have a few more weeks of chemo with a different drug.  My doctors say that research shows the results are better when both treatments are given together rather than one after the other. At some point I will have scans done to see if the treatments are working.   I will keep you posted.