Latest CT Scan

[lohidoc]

I just got my results today. A bit of a mixed bag. The lesions in my right lung have increased in size, the largest one now measuring 3.5 cm. But the left lung is almost clear, with only one 9 mm area remaining. Only one tiny node remains in my chest, one cm.

The abdominal retroperitoneal nodes are now reported as normal, so that is good. I will know more when I meet with my oncologist next week.

I am not too disappointed, particularly as I know why those lung lesions are so pesky. I have a terrible confession - I have been a lifelong pipe and cigar smoker. I gave up the pipe in 2011, but continued the cigars. In September, after everything shrunk except my lungs I managed to give those up too. After my wonderful December scan I bought one packet, just to celebrate. You can guess where this is going. So that is going to stop, whatever it takes.

I'll also go back to using my cannabis oil vaporiser, which I used between September and December, but had stopped using.

With that I hope my next scan in three months will be more positive.

[kimmercans]

I would consider this a good scan. You are STABLE OFF CHEMO...and that is fantastic in my opinion:) Your body is figuring things out.

Best of life,
Kim

[skypup]

Doc, I am so happy to read your news. A mixed bag, perhaps, but so much is good. Your therapy is doing its job, it seems. Incredible!
You should have a ceremonial burning of the cigars under a full moon or something.

[Guinevere]

A mixed bag to be sure but more good news than bad. I'm sending positive thoughts that giving up the cigars will go as easy as possible.
God bless ~
Guinevere

[Laurettas]

Well, Lohidoc that is an interesting scan report, isn't it? Hooray that your nodes and left lung are almost back to normal. That is awesome! So interesting that the right lung is not responding. I'm trying to come up with some sarcastic reason as to why that might be happening or a corny way to get your treatment focused there but my brain is just not delivering tonight for some reason. I will have to sleep on it and see if I can come up with something tomorrow. Overall I think you can feel comfortable going out and having a grand celebration of the results--they are truly amazing.

[Bev G]

This sounds really good, and quite encouraging! Are you still taking the Coley's (??) solution? Hang in there, Marc!

Bev

[Jack&KatiesMommy]

I think this is pretty damn wonderful, in my opinion! I am amazed at how your body is responding to this treatment! I remain enthusiastic!

[CRguy]

With that I hope my next scan in three months will be more positive.

As do we ALL my friend.
Cheers and continued best wishes.

[smokeyjoe]

I've been wondering about how you were as I hadn't seen you really post recently. Wonderful news for the most part, so happy to see

[usopen]

I've been waiting for this scan results.....and I think it is amazing.
I am so happy for you. I hope, too, the other lung will look better the next time, but still incredible.
Way to go!!
Joan

[jimc]

Lohidoc, I'm remembering that your two retroperitoneal node masses were rather sizable prior to your current therapy. Amazing results there!!

I pray this treatment again becomes available. Your willingness to share your experience has, I think, put it on the radar of many stage IVs/caregivers. As a legitimate and compelling option. I know it's on my mind with regard to my wife. If it was available, I imagine she'd be trying it right now.

So here's a vision for you: a devitalization procedure (there must be a surgeon somewhere in the world that would be willing to do this) to enact some Matzingerian necrosis (maybe on a single larger lesion in your right lung) followed by continued therapy as soon as possible. Kind of jump-start the healing in the right lung.

Wishing you the best.

[juliej]

I remember a doctor telling me that when patients aspirate during surgery, most of them aspirate in the right lung. It occurred to me that maybe people are right or left-lunged like they are right or left-handed. If so, the question is -- are you left-handed? If you are left-dominate, it might be the left lung that responds to treatment first. That would explain why the right lung is slower responding. I hope that's the case and your next scan shows a similar response in the right lung. All in all though, your treatment is definitely kicking cancer's butt!

[Dobe Man]

I just got my results today. A bit of a mixed bag.

A mixed bag > a bad bag, keep on keeping on.

Yet another item in the category of health risks/outcomes we will never really figure out, my dad is 77 and a retired dentist. He smoked pipe and cigars primarily on weekends over most of his adult life, but since retiring roughly 10 years ago smokes 3 big ring (54-60) 6" cigars a day...every day. The convo goes something like: "Hey man, aren't you worried about oral or lung cancer?". Response is "I am 77, who cares?" Go figure, but it really sets his wife off as he otherwise is in really good physical and mental health. Occasionally I would join him a couple of times a year and have 1-not 3, but finally I just said no mas, primarily as it really sets off GERD.

[BrownBagger]

Thanks for the update, Doc. Glad to hear things are relatively stable.

I stopped smoking my favorite herb after my last recurrence, though I still drink the tincture with good results. So many benefits--from cramp suppression to nausea control to a welcome sense of relaxation. However, I did suck up my share of wood smoke over the winter, and I wonder if that had anything to do with it. If I eventually get off chemo and don't recurr over the summer, I might think about using a mask or respirator when filling up the boiler next winter. Or, get my family members to do it instead (even better idea!). You know, I kind of doubt that it's a factor, but I'm getting to the stage where I'll try just about anything that seems to make sense, and keeping my lungs free of smoke of all kinds seems like a logical approach, all things considered.