[Cancer]
[cancer] Update from the oncologists on the new liver lesion
Yesterday I saw both my medical oncologist and my surgical oncologist/liver specialist. They were fairly positive about my current situation. The general takeaway is that this new lesion in my liver is a very small spot. Neither of them is especially concerned right now, unless we see growth at the next scan.
My surgical oncologist opined that if it does turn out to be a tumor, it may be a leftover second site from my last round of liver metastasis. Their thinking is that if we do have to treat, we may do surgery (or radiofrequency ablation) without chemo. That’s certainly not the prescription at this point, but it’s a direction.
Whatever this is, even worst case it’s not a mortality event, just another step on the road.
My follow up is in mid-April, with a CT scan and bloodwork followed by consultations with both oncologists again.
Objectively, this is encouraging. Both doctors emphasized the low CEAs as a good data point. I am not so sanguine about this, given my historically idiosyncratic CEA levels. They were apparently quite sincere in their positive outlooks.
Subjectively, I continue discouraged, though the idea that if need be we may be able to treat without another round of chemo at this point is a bright spot.
On the emotional front, this is still pretty daunting. I can’t shake the feeling I’m dealing with a relentless foe. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to sit down and really process this one emotionally — the expected meltdown still has not taken place. We shall see. For now, I get two more months to live my life.
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Posted: 6:39 am Thu February 23 2012 |
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Comments
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Hang in there Jay. My thoughts are with you.
Well, as you said, objectively this is the second best news you could get (outside of, “oh, it was a blur on the scan, there’s really no lesion there at all. our bad.”). I’m glad for that at least.
“Whatever this is … just another step on the road.”
Yeah, but it feels like they’re diminishing you physically, not just of miscellaneous things you can make more of like fat and scar tissue, but of essential things, like pieces of your liver and lungs. I’m glad they can do even this, but I’d really like to hear you get to the point where treatment wasn’t just “delayed mortality by a thousand cuts.”
Boy did you nail it in this comment, Elf.
You’ll be in my thoughts, Jay.
I have no web site, but I have am 4mmsize cancer ;they ate suggesting came from lung that was cancerous in 1998. been free of ca till now . please help with info where to go whT to do Diane
The American Cancer Society is a good place to start. My blog has a lot of narrative about coping with cancer, but not medical advice. Good luck and good health to you.