Believe51
12-12-2008, 09:15 AM
This post is for all of you that have asked me to update when I found out more of what was happening. I especially want the new family members to see hope when there appears to be none.
PAIN: Ed does have his pain under control which needed to be 'controlled' before he could even be considered before having the Gamma Knife. Right now he is taking 80mg of Oxycontin for the major pain and Percocets for breakthrough pain.
BRAIN METS: Ed had his third attack with brain mets. Last time we checked he had a single met in the frontal lobe which we were watching. His mets so far have remained with clear margins, without masses or edema. We decided to wait to see if any more would declare themselves with time. Right now we do not know if there are anymore there but with the help of the Gamma Knife Surgeon and Ed's Oncologist, we felt comfortable waiting this time. This is not for everyone but being the third time with brain mets in such a short time and already having whole brain radiation, just really could not see the poor man have a Gamma Knife for a single met knowing that in 6 weeks we might be back again to repeat.
SPINE/BONE METS: We are dealing with degenerative changes in the cervical spine and what appears to be a reoccurrence in the lower spine and a possible problem in the ribcage. Not really sure that we can radiate the lower spine, it is this area that we think we have cancer again.
PETSCAN: Cannot get the Gamma Knife until the Petscan is done and read.....going tomorrow at 1:30 pm (Eastern). Marie works her magic again since this whole thing gets more complicated than I write! I got everything ordered, approved and booked for the big guy....she shoots, she scores!
GAMMA KNIFE: Okay, pain under control, Petscan done and read (after Monday)....He is scheduled for the Gamma for 12-19-08!! I feel bad that he will not be up to par over the holidays but Mighty Oak said that this was my Christmas gift. Actually, I asked for it to be, selfish as it sounds. Gamma Surgeon is going back to Sweden from 12-23 thru 1-9-09 so we have to get this done beforehand. Chemo will not start until the Gamma is done.
BRAIN MRI/SPINAL MRI: Together these will be done before the Gamma itself. All in the same day enables Ed to get only one MRI instead of two. We must see what is happening down below. Still not positive there is anything systemic is going on in bones but Ed thinks there is. One thing Kate always told me was, listen to his body, Ed will tell you what is happening. Of course there are times that we all get paranoid. Right now I hope is it really true! LOL!
CHEMOTHERAPY: Cannot start chemo until all this is finished. Does not really matter because the brain is the main concern at the moment and that is being tended to. Treatment can start when the Gamma Surgeon is away in Sweden. Things are all working despite the major complications that occurred.
BONE SCAN COMPARISONS (re: ZOMETA) Well Ladies, how about some inspiration? Studies show first and last bone scan comparisons, results prove that the Zometa has repaired blastic and lytic lesions in bones. Yes, he has been on this drug monthly since the beginning of this journey. He really does not have a choice so we are pleased that this drug is working wonders.
SO...........with the bad there is always good. Things are moving forward and onward. My boy will not be feeling well at all during the holidays but he will be here right by my side. Poor guy, he said he is doing this as a part of my Christmas gift but really does not want to have 4 holes in his head. I told him not to worry, that he has holes in his head already! LOL>>Believe51
Love to all, remember....with bad there can be good, but there is always hope. Wish us luck and keep those prayers flowing, try to sprinkle some positive vibes our way and leave the rest to Mighty Oak and God!
Man can I talk!! LOL!
PAIN: Ed does have his pain under control which needed to be 'controlled' before he could even be considered before having the Gamma Knife. Right now he is taking 80mg of Oxycontin for the major pain and Percocets for breakthrough pain.
BRAIN METS: Ed had his third attack with brain mets. Last time we checked he had a single met in the frontal lobe which we were watching. His mets so far have remained with clear margins, without masses or edema. We decided to wait to see if any more would declare themselves with time. Right now we do not know if there are anymore there but with the help of the Gamma Knife Surgeon and Ed's Oncologist, we felt comfortable waiting this time. This is not for everyone but being the third time with brain mets in such a short time and already having whole brain radiation, just really could not see the poor man have a Gamma Knife for a single met knowing that in 6 weeks we might be back again to repeat.
SPINE/BONE METS: We are dealing with degenerative changes in the cervical spine and what appears to be a reoccurrence in the lower spine and a possible problem in the ribcage. Not really sure that we can radiate the lower spine, it is this area that we think we have cancer again.
PETSCAN: Cannot get the Gamma Knife until the Petscan is done and read.....going tomorrow at 1:30 pm (Eastern). Marie works her magic again since this whole thing gets more complicated than I write! I got everything ordered, approved and booked for the big guy....she shoots, she scores!
GAMMA KNIFE: Okay, pain under control, Petscan done and read (after Monday)....He is scheduled for the Gamma for 12-19-08!! I feel bad that he will not be up to par over the holidays but Mighty Oak said that this was my Christmas gift. Actually, I asked for it to be, selfish as it sounds. Gamma Surgeon is going back to Sweden from 12-23 thru 1-9-09 so we have to get this done beforehand. Chemo will not start until the Gamma is done.
BRAIN MRI/SPINAL MRI: Together these will be done before the Gamma itself. All in the same day enables Ed to get only one MRI instead of two. We must see what is happening down below. Still not positive there is anything systemic is going on in bones but Ed thinks there is. One thing Kate always told me was, listen to his body, Ed will tell you what is happening. Of course there are times that we all get paranoid. Right now I hope is it really true! LOL!
CHEMOTHERAPY: Cannot start chemo until all this is finished. Does not really matter because the brain is the main concern at the moment and that is being tended to. Treatment can start when the Gamma Surgeon is away in Sweden. Things are all working despite the major complications that occurred.
BONE SCAN COMPARISONS (re: ZOMETA) Well Ladies, how about some inspiration? Studies show first and last bone scan comparisons, results prove that the Zometa has repaired blastic and lytic lesions in bones. Yes, he has been on this drug monthly since the beginning of this journey. He really does not have a choice so we are pleased that this drug is working wonders.
SO...........with the bad there is always good. Things are moving forward and onward. My boy will not be feeling well at all during the holidays but he will be here right by my side. Poor guy, he said he is doing this as a part of my Christmas gift but really does not want to have 4 holes in his head. I told him not to worry, that he has holes in his head already! LOL>>Believe51
Love to all, remember....with bad there can be good, but there is always hope. Wish us luck and keep those prayers flowing, try to sprinkle some positive vibes our way and leave the rest to Mighty Oak and God!
Man can I talk!! LOL!