Dale's Pet Scan didn't throw him any additional curve balls! Dr. O'Reilly had a 30 minute phone consult with Jackie and Dale and he confirmed that the Pet scan only picked up the "suspicious spots" that they had already seen on the CT scan from last week. Dr. O'Reilly would like to biopsy one of those spots and then let Dr. Tsao discuss chemotherapy options.
Good news here is that there wasn't anything lurking anywhere else in his body.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Pet Scan complete
Pet Scan completed this morning, then we had a fabulous lunch at Houston's restaurant near the Rice Village. Houston's is Dale's primary care physician's favorite restaurant in Houston! We agree..mighty tasty food.
Now we wait for news from the Pet Scan and the recommendations from Dale's team of doctors!
Now we wait for news from the Pet Scan and the recommendations from Dale's team of doctors!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dammit
Today's visit with Dr. O'Reilly brought us the news that we all feared.
Several "spots" were detected on the CT Scan, some in both lungs. Further tests are required, namely, a Pet Scan to help distinguish those "spots" that are cancer from those that are "inflammatory".
This was absolutely NOT the news we wanted to hear.
The tumor treated this Spring with Proton Radiation is gone! One happy bit of news delivered today.
The news of new "places of concern" was taken with a bit of teary eyes from all of us in the room. Dr. O'Reilly assured Dale that he would continue to work with him to find the best options for treatment. He also told Dale that we are now working to contain the cancer, not cure it. This was a bitter pill to swallow and we're all trying to remain upbeat and positive until we have further information after the Pet Scan and several "committee" consult at MD Anderson.
Options suggested depending upon Pet Scan results:
1. Radiosurgery (4-10 daily treatments): A radiation therapy procedure that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver a large radiation dose to a tumor and not to normal tissue. This procedure does not use surgery. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer. Also called radiation surgery, stereotactic external-beam radiation, stereotactic radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotaxic radiosurgery. (Dr. O'Reilly)
2. Chemotherapy (Dr. Tsao)
3. Wedge resection of one "highly" suspicious spot (Dr. Rice)
Dale still feels great although it's taken a few hours for the "gut punch" to subside. I can hear him singing "One Day at at Time" in the kitchen right now! I guess that's our new mantra!
Side note: If you haven't responded to the RSVP for Dale's 8oth birthday bash - today would be a great day to call Marcy!
Several "spots" were detected on the CT Scan, some in both lungs. Further tests are required, namely, a Pet Scan to help distinguish those "spots" that are cancer from those that are "inflammatory".
This was absolutely NOT the news we wanted to hear.
The tumor treated this Spring with Proton Radiation is gone! One happy bit of news delivered today.
The news of new "places of concern" was taken with a bit of teary eyes from all of us in the room. Dr. O'Reilly assured Dale that he would continue to work with him to find the best options for treatment. He also told Dale that we are now working to contain the cancer, not cure it. This was a bitter pill to swallow and we're all trying to remain upbeat and positive until we have further information after the Pet Scan and several "committee" consult at MD Anderson.
Options suggested depending upon Pet Scan results:
1. Radiosurgery (4-10 daily treatments): A radiation therapy procedure that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver a large radiation dose to a tumor and not to normal tissue. This procedure does not use surgery. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer. Also called radiation surgery, stereotactic external-beam radiation, stereotactic radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotaxic radiosurgery. (Dr. O'Reilly)
2. Chemotherapy (Dr. Tsao)
3. Wedge resection of one "highly" suspicious spot (Dr. Rice)
Dale still feels great although it's taken a few hours for the "gut punch" to subside. I can hear him singing "One Day at at Time" in the kitchen right now! I guess that's our new mantra!
Side note: If you haven't responded to the RSVP for Dale's 8oth birthday bash - today would be a great day to call Marcy!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Check up time again!
Back at MD Anderson today for blood tests and xrays. Tomorrow it's CT scan and then a visit with Dr. O'Reilly to see what all those test show.
Fingers crossed that they don't see anything unusual!
I'll update tomorrow night!
Fingers crossed that they don't see anything unusual!
I'll update tomorrow night!
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