Cancer, stage 3. The fight is on

Sue, I am so sorry your going through all this. 

My husband is also going through most of this at the same time, but stage 2.  We, also, found out in November.  He had surgery the day after Christmas.  No Christmas dinner with the liquid diet for 2 days prior. 

So far, things have gone smoothly for us as well.  He was up and about the day after surgery and hasn't stopped since.  He has been itching to get back to work.  They removed some of the staeples  weeks ago and will remove the remainder this coming week. 

The only part we are having to fight so far is with the PET scan.  They insruance refused it prior to surgery, but we were assured we would be able to have it done after surgery.  Oncologist requested the scan nearly 3 weeks ago, and they have had to call and cancel it 3 times now...we are hoping the next appt for it (Tuesday morning) will be accepted.

We do not no about chemo as yet, as they were awaiting the results from the PET scan.

So good to hear though that your doing so well.  Chin up girl.... 

Roses! So good to see you here again, though sad to hear about your husbands cancer. 

I can't believe that he has been diagnosed with cancer and his insurance company will not cover a PET scan. The American insurance system can drive you crazy.

I know it has to be so very hard waiting. Once I knew I had cancer I wanted everything done right there and then. It was hard waiting for scans, hard waiting for results. I even had to wait for the insurance to say they would cover the chemo meds. My life is on the line and they think they can just make me wait and wiat,

I hope everything gets sorted for your husband really soon. I also hope that with stage 2, he gets to skip the chemo. It really is quite unpleasant already.

Thank you for your good wishes and know that I wish the same for your husband and for you as you support him.  

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your reply.

We saw the Oncologist today.  He wants to start chemo, 2x/month for 6 months.  I think MAYBE the reason for this is we were not permitted to get the PET scan.  In the last 2 weeks, the dr's office has submitted at least 5 times, and all denied.  I am absolutely gutted with this.  If it were THEIR family, I sure there would have been NO waiting!

Chris not so sure he wants the chemo though.  I am still in shock over this though.  Probly thinking with my heart and not my head at the moment. 

The 7  lymph nodes they got were all clean, and liver was clean as well, so, really, what is the point in the chemo. 

The oncologist wanted at least 12 lymph nodes checked, which just was not able to get. 

How did you decide on the chemo??  Had yours spread? 

Lynn

Hi Lynn. Know that Anna and Ron are thinking about you (and your husband Chris in particular) during this most difficult time.

We have two other members (Sue and Karen) who need POE prayers to get through their ordeals, know that you are included hereafter.

We really do hope and pray, that you manage to find a way through this.

Hello again Roses. 

 I am appalled that the insurance will not clear Chris for a PET Scan. How dare they think they can decide what he does or doesn't need. It's disgusting. 

As for the reason to get chemo and radiation, the CT & PET Scans can only pick up on the cancer that has grown to a certain number of cells, so they use the treatments to kill the cancer that does not show but could still be there.

 My PET & CT Scans were clear but my CEA blood test was high indicating more cancer. 

Think of the chemo as covering your tracks. If the cancer has spread but is in the early stages, the chemo will whack it. I have no problem doing the chemo & radiation because I don't want to take any chances.

I get my second whack of chemo today. The infusions are a doodle, it's the days of side effects that are rough.

I will also get six months of chemo with five weeks of radiation added in there around May. I have to live in Reno during the radiation, and that will be hard to be so far away from my family, my own house, my couch & my bed. Still, I am grateful to my friend in Reno who will house me so that I don't have to live in a motel.

I will be thinking of you and Chris. We all handle things differently so I don't like to dish out advice, but I will tell you how I handle it and that is one day at a time.

 Today I face chemo, so I don't worry about the side effects that will come. I'll deal with those as they happen. I don't worry about the next test until it comes. So, one day at a time and I make sure that I'm as active and as happy as I can be on my good days. 

 I'm here to talk about this whenever you want. We can get through it together.  

Ron and Anna,

Thanks so much for your Prayers.

Sue/Karen

HUGS and Prayers to you both.

Sue, thanks so much for your lovley reply.  I have an appt in the morning with the family dr to see about getting a referral for a different Oncologist.  The one we have now is not so great.  Not wanting to explain things or answer any of our questions. 

Your right Sue, One day at a time and that is exactly what we have been doing since November (13 Nov).  We have managed to get this far and I am sure with a different dr we might not be going through any of this turmoil. 

Unfortunately, we have already used the family leave time Chris gets at work.  That could present a bit of a problem as well. 

I've also read a bit on others that have gone through it, which is a help. 

Keep me posted Sue....Let me no when your of to Reno.   

Wow Roses! Chris and I were diagnosed on the same day, November 13th. How wild is that?!!

Definietl get yourself a new Onc. I go in every two weeks with a list of questions as long as my arm, and luckily my Onc will sit down and answer all of them, no matter how weird some of them are. You need to feel complete confidence in all of your Doctors, and as you know, we have enough of them.

I just got home from my second chemo session. Its a long day (not as long as some in there though) and now I am all hooked up to my pump for the next 46 hours.

Some of the side effects kicked in immedietely this time. Bummer! So I'm in for several rough days but look forward to the good days that will follow.

You'll find a good Onc, cause they are out there. Do you live in (or near) a big city? We had to travel part of the way to Reno in a huge snow storm this week, it was a bit stressful and my blood pressure was up by the time I got to the Doctors office. HA!

And Karen, if you're looking in, please feel free to share your joys and woes. We're all in this together and this can become our support thread.

Thanks again to all of our POE family for your continued love, prayers and support. Evey bit helps. 

Hi Sue,

Well, as of today, we did get a new Oncologist.  Just have to finish getting all the paperwork together to have sent to them.  Everyone has cooperated with faxing the info over to the new dr office EXCEPT for the Onc office!  Figures, right.  Once they get all the paperwork, they will set up the appt for us.  When I explained the situation to them, they asked me the name of the Dr and when I told them, they were NOT surprised.  They get complaints from people every day from him!  LOL  That made me feel better, especially after the last 2 days being in tears....

Going to see if I remember how to send you a private message with my email. 

Lynn

Yes! a new Onc, thats what Chris and you deserve. 

With a new and good Onc, I can promise you that some of your tears will be relieved. You don't need the added stress of a uncommunicative Oncologist.

Now I'll pray that Chris gets cleared for a PET scan.

I did get your email and will be replying soon.  

Girls you are doing wonderfully - and I think you are both brave and courageous with all you are going through (Karen too if she is reading this).

I think the idea of you being such support for each other is a really good one, somewhere safe to say exactly how you are feeling whether it's a good day or not so good!

Sue I hope you are feeling a little better by now, although I guess you are still hooked up to the pump!

You are all in my thoughts and prayers and on my list for daily remembrances!