Apparently all of the national news stations carried this information last night in a report. It was very interesting, especially with regard to colorectal cancer statistics and I was almost stunned when they said that although the death rates for colorectal were dropping, the numbers of people unde...

EBMJ - in response to your question I believe the decision for surgery hinged more on the fact that the CT and PET only showed the one small 11mm nodule and the one hilar node. They found the other node and other nodule during surgery; both were too small to show up on either CT or PET. So, it looke...

Kathy, thank you so much for your reply. Did you have any surgery, or did you just go straight to the chemo you listed?

My husband had surgery last Thursday. The preoperative CT and PET showed a single nodule in the rt lower lobe and a hilar lymph node showed up on PET. THe plan was surgery - using VATS to go in and essentially wedge section the are of the nodule to send to pathology. If it showed malignancy, they wo...

Jane, we are in the midst of this very same situation with my husband. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in Nov 06. There was a small nodule in his right lower lobe on his previous CT that had grown from 7 mm to 11mm. His oncologist has referred him to a thoracic surgeon. It appears he has the one...

missjv - I just PM'd you about this topic, so if you don't get it please let me know.

Yes, and it is very important to COVER UP (wide brim hat, long sleeves,etc) - and not just rely on sun screen post chemo - especially after having 5FU or Xeloda. These chemo's are known as radio-sensitizers (hence why they are used in conjunction with radiation treatments for those who have rectal c...

Betsy, thank you so much for your response. And I will PM you once we know exactly what comes next. His PET is tomorrow, but regardless of whether it lights up or not, they will proceed with the surgery. I am so glad to hear that overall it was not a horrible post op recouperation for you - my husba...

My husband just got his CT results today. They had identified a 7mm nodule on his previous 2 CT's and have followed up at 3 and 4 month intervals, but it had not grown and it had characteristics of a granuloma or plug. Today, it was 11 mm and he is going for a PET this Wednesday and has an appointme...

Same thing with my husband. He is 18 months out from chemo and radiation (Xeloda and Oxaliplatin) and his white count has never returned to normal. He's also still a bit anemic as well. The Onc. checked his B12, ferritin, etc and has had him on B12 (started with injections, now doing sublingual pill...

Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. I wouldn't push it, I truly believe that you will know when you are ready to move forward. I think it will come gradually over time and then one day you'll wake up and be aware that you have made progress without even realizing it was happening. Take...

Ditto what the others have said. My husband's have hovered around 4 to 4.5 for the past 2 years and it was 1 at Dx and fluctuated all during chemo, which is why the NCCN recommends not checking it any more frequently than every 3 months for the first 2 years.

Sharon, you and Brady are in my prayers. Remember to take care of yourself as well...

Trish - this is the first I heard of the Breast ca dx. Did this just recently happen? I am so angry and frustrated over this! I HATE cancer!!! You have every reason to ask 'why me' and don't feel one once of guilt in feeling that way. Wamo's advice is right on. You take care! Will you have surgery, ...

Brady and Sharon, I cannot possibly add any more thoughts or sentiment to what has already been said. Just know I am thinking of you all often and praying for both of you. It is "that time again" for us...my husband is due for his follow up CEA and CT scan. Always scarry, as you all well k...