RE: Update

[Guest guest]

Dan, When I had my last Pet and Cat Scans it also showed a 2cm cyst

on my right overy. The docotrs never even mentioned it to me. The

only reason I knew was because I had a copy of both reports.

Now I am wondering if I should maybe pursue this. Please let me

know what you find out. I think it probably is nothing since nothing

was said to me. Just wondering if I should ask the Onc. Thanks, Ingrid

>

> Well today we went in to see 's oncologist to discuss the

> results of her bloodwork and the catscan. Here's what he told us.

>

> He said that the bloodwork numbers were odd but said that it was

most

> likely due to the chemotherapy. They will check again in 2 weeks

to

> see if they have changed. He didn't seem overly concerned about

the

> numbers at all.

>

> He said that her liver seemed fine also. Didn't show any signs of

> cancer or anything like that. Said it seemed to be working

perfectly.

>

> He did say that he was concerned about something that showed up in

or

> near her ovary. He said that she had a cyst either in her ovary or

> on it. He scheduled a ultrasound with 's gynecologist so they

> could look at it more closely. He said he was treating it as

serious

> until they know for sure that it is not cancerous. He said that

> since her last catscan about a month & a half ago it had grown

> approximately 1 centimeter. He said the gynecologist will probably

> stick a syringe in it and drain the fluid as well as extract some

> cells to be sure. goes in on Tuesday to have a consultation

> with the gynecologist.

>

> The news hit me like a ton of bricks. When they say " Growth " it

> always scares the hell out of me. After I got home I did some

> research on ovarian cysts and found that they are quite normal most

> of the time in women. I'm not downplaying it by any means as I

take

> it very very seriously. We don't need another setback in her road

to

> recovery from this disease. The cyst was located in the same

general

> area that her cancer was removed. When they did the surgery to

> remove the cancer the surgeon didn't see anything out of the

ordinary

> with her uterus or her ovaries. We are definately hoping for the

> best, but we'll keep everyone up to date as to what they find.

>

> Dan &

>

[Guest guest]

Ingrid,

When she was having a lot of stomach problems like pain and trouble

with bowel movements we went back to see the gastroenterologist and

he had her do another catscan. I believe they saw it again there but

didn't see anything else to be concerned about. He wasn't concerned

about it at that time because he didn't mention it. We had the

results of the catscan forwarded to the oncologist so when she did

this last cat they did notice that it had grown to just over 1 inch

in size. This concerned them as any time they see something growing

inside her they want to error on the side of caution so they ordered

another ultrasound. The ultrasound did show the cyst but the doctors

that she saw and the ones who examined the ultrasound did not believe

it was cancerous. I believe that is why they are now choosing to do

a laproscopy to check it out in more depth to ensure that it is

nothing. And because she is still getting a little bit of spot

bleeding they want to stop that bleeding and the best way to do so is

to go in and remove it. I am sure that they will send the cyst out

to have more tests done on it, but we are pretty confident right now

that she is okay. It may help end her pain that she has been feeling

in that area too. I had a cyst myself many years ago that definately

caused me quite a bit of pain so I can understand what she is

feeling. We'll hope for the best but will accept the worst if it

comes. What else can you do?

Dan &

> >

> > We received the results of 's ultrasound. They said that

she

> > has a cyst in or on her left ovary. They were pretty positive

that

> > it wasn't cancerous which is good news. They also performed a

> CEA125

> > test which showed her at 12. According to the doctors anything

> under

> > 34 is normal. She has had some spot bleeding and the doctors

said

> > that she also has an area of fluid there. They say that it is

all

> > due to the cyst.

> >

> > We'll go in on November 7th for a consultation with a surgeon as

> they

> > want to perform a Laproscopy to further investigate it and to

> remove

> > it if they deem it necessary. This didn't thrill in the

> > slightest as I explained to her (from what I've read) what they

> will

> > do. Her response was " Oh NO! they're going to cut me again? "

She

> > said that she didn't want them cutting her again. I told her

that

> > when we go see the surgeon that we'll see what the options are

> then.

> > If they do not believe that it will heal itself up on its own and

> > medication won't take care of it then there aren't a whole lot of

> > choices. They say that it isn't that extensive of a surgery.

They

> > will make two small incisions in her abdomen and actually blow

air

> > into her abdomen to increase the size so they can see better.

Then

> > they will go in with the scope and look at it. If they feel it

> needs

> > to be removed they will do so. According to the nurse that I

spoke

> > with she said it is a in and out surgery.

> >

> > We'll keep everyone posted as to what we do and the results.

> >

> > Bless Everyone

> >

> > Dan &

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dan, Thanks for telling me more details. So what I feel you are

telling me is not to be concerned too much about my cyst. I will

mention it to my onc and see what he has to say. I have no problems

with it and would not of even know about it other then the scans.

My heart does go to having to endure another surgery. No

surgery is fun and she must be scared. I do feel that it is just a

plain cyst that she is suffering from. Chemo could of aggraveted it.

I am Praying for and that it is just a plain cyst. Also Praying

that she gets through this without any discomfort. Thank You again

for taking the time to explain this. Love, Ingrid

> > >

> > > We received the results of 's ultrasound. They said that

> she

> > > has a cyst in or on her left ovary. They were pretty positive

> that

> > > it wasn't cancerous which is good news. They also performed a

> > CEA125

> > > test which showed her at 12. According to the doctors anything

> > under

> > > 34 is normal. She has had some spot bleeding and the doctors

> said

> > > that she also has an area of fluid there. They say that it is

> all

> > > due to the cyst.

> > >

> > > We'll go in on November 7th for a consultation with a surgeon

as

> > they

> > > want to perform a Laproscopy to further investigate it and to

> > remove

> > > it if they deem it necessary. This didn't thrill in the

> > > slightest as I explained to her (from what I've read) what they

> > will

> > > do. Her response was " Oh NO! they're going to cut me again? "

> She

> > > said that she didn't want them cutting her again. I told her

> that

> > > when we go see the surgeon that we'll see what the options are

> > then.

> > > If they do not believe that it will heal itself up on its own

and

> > > medication won't take care of it then there aren't a whole lot

of

> > > choices. They say that it isn't that extensive of a surgery.

> They

> > > will make two small incisions in her abdomen and actually blow

> air

> > > into her abdomen to increase the size so they can see better.

> Then

> > > they will go in with the scope and look at it. If they feel it

> > needs

> > > to be removed they will do so. According to the nurse that I

> spoke

> > > with she said it is a in and out surgery.

> > >

> > > We'll keep everyone posted as to what we do and the results.

> > >

> > > Bless Everyone

> > >

> > > Dan &

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ingrid,

I wouldn't say not to be concerned, just informed. Make sure that

at least you are keeping an eye on it and mentioning it to your

doctors. If they don't mention it it doesn't really mean anything.

When they tell you that it no longer appears on any scans or

ultrasounds then forget about it. They should have it recorded in

your medical records concerning the size and position even if it is

not a concern. In reality they are from what I've read very normal

to have. But with the colon cancer or any other type of cancer for

that matter we must keep an eye on anything that would be considered

abnormal.

Hugs,

Dan &

> > > >

> > > > We received the results of 's ultrasound. They said

that

> > she

> > > > has a cyst in or on her left ovary. They were pretty

positive

> > that

> > > > it wasn't cancerous which is good news. They also performed

a

> > > CEA125

> > > > test which showed her at 12. According to the doctors

anything

> > > under

> > > > 34 is normal. She has had some spot bleeding and the doctors

> > said

> > > > that she also has an area of fluid there. They say that it

is

> > all

> > > > due to the cyst.

> > > >

> > > > We'll go in on November 7th for a consultation with a surgeon

> as

> > > they

> > > > want to perform a Laproscopy to further investigate it and to

> > > remove

> > > > it if they deem it necessary. This didn't thrill in

the

> > > > slightest as I explained to her (from what I've read) what

they

> > > will

> > > > do. Her response was " Oh NO! they're going to cut me

again? "

> > She

> > > > said that she didn't want them cutting her again. I told her

> > that

> > > > when we go see the surgeon that we'll see what the options

are

> > > then.

> > > > If they do not believe that it will heal itself up on its own

> and

> > > > medication won't take care of it then there aren't a whole

lot

> of

> > > > choices. They say that it isn't that extensive of a

surgery.

> > They

> > > > will make two small incisions in her abdomen and actually

blow

> > air

> > > > into her abdomen to increase the size so they can see

better.

> > Then

> > > > they will go in with the scope and look at it. If they feel

it

> > > needs

> > > > to be removed they will do so. According to the nurse that I

> > spoke

> > > > with she said it is a in and out surgery.

> > > >

> > > > We'll keep everyone posted as to what we do and the results.

> > > >

> > > > Bless Everyone

> > > >

> > > > Dan &

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ingrid,

Thank you so much for the nice words. I'm sure there are days that

wants to curse me too....LOL

But what else can I do? She is and always will be the only love of

my life. I have to keep strong and keep her strong as life without

her would be meaningless.

Dan

> > > >

> > > > Well went in for chemo treatment #9 yesterday but her

> count

> > > was

> > > > low so they put it off until next week. She's ready to get

> them

> > > over

> > > > and actually was a little bit bummed that they couldn't do

it.

> > The

> > > > doctor told us at our previous treatment appointment that if

> she

> > > had

> > > > 1 more left at the end of the year she could skip it without

> any

> > > > problem. Don't know if we should, but do they really know

that

> > it

> > > > should be exactly 12 or should it be more or less? Has any

> > > research

> > > > indicated that 12 is the magic number?

> > > >

> > > > Last night felt a small lump on her left breast. I

felt

> it

> > > and

> > > > it immediately threw me into a panic. Is this something

> serious

> > or

> > > > what? Shouldn't the chemo stop any cancer from growing

> anywhere

> > in

> > > > her body? My mother had one less than a year ago and it

turned

> > out

> > > > to be absolutely nothing, but with already having colon

> > > cancer

> > > > isn't she more proned to other types of cancer? I asked her

to

> > > call

> > > > her gynecologist today and set up an appointment for a

mamogram

> > but

> > > > she said that she felt it was nothing and that she would wait

> for

> > 1

> > > > week and if it was still there she would call. I asked her

> again

> > > > today whether the lump (feels like it is smaller than a pea)

> was

> > > > still there and she said yes. She located it and guided my

> hand

> > to

> > > > it. I told her that we needed to get this checked out

> > immediately

> > > > but again she said she wanted to wait 1 week. She

> > said " Shouldn't

> > > > the chemo kill any cancer in my body? " I told her that it

> should

> > > but

> > > > there is always that possibility of it still growing

somewhere

> > > else.

> > > > I said that it might be nothing but wouldn't it be safer to

> find

> > > out

> > > > that it was nothing than to sit around hoping?

> > > >

> > > > I'm not sure whether it is a lump or just something in her

vein

> > or

> > > > something. She has been taking coumadin which is a blood

> thinner

> > > so

> > > > it should keep any clots from forming. But she did tell me

> today

> > > > that she ran out. We'll definately get more tomorrow before

we

> > > come

> > > > home.

> > > >

> > > > My mind is racing with the thoughts that this just isn't

fair.

> > Why

> > > > should someone so loving and caring have to suffer through

more

> > and

> > > > more of this agony? She often wonders whether God is

punishing

> > her

> > > > for something she did, and I tell her that God would not

punish

> > you

> > > > and that this was a test of your strength. She is strong,

but

> a

> > > > setback like this could hurt her resolve to fight this thing.

> > > >

> > > > Well we go in on the 7th for the appointment with the surgeon

> > > > concerning her cyst. Hopefully it will be a simple process

> that

> > > she

> > > > can recover from quickly. Then we schedule the surgery and

see

> > how

> > > > it turns out.

> > > >

> > > > Dan &

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Deb,

Thank you for everything. Sometimes I too question why she of all

people would have to go through this and I have said on many many

occasions to her that I would gladly take her place. She is very

strong, but as I said before if these setbacks keep happening will

she remain strong or just give in? I keep pushing her to not give in

and to keep fighting.

Dan

> Last night felt a small lump on her left breast. I felt it

and

> it immediately threw me into a panic. Is this something serious or

> what? Shouldn't the chemo stop any cancer from growing anywhere in

> her body? My mother had one less than a year ago and it turned out

> to be absolutely nothing, but with already having colon

cancer

> isn't she more proned to other types of cancer? I asked her to

call

> her gynecologist today and set up an appointment for a mamogram but

> she said that she felt it was nothing and that she would wait for 1

> week and if it was still there she would call. I asked her again

> today whether the lump (feels like it is smaller than a pea) was

> still there and she said yes. She located it and guided my hand to

> it. I told her that we needed to get this checked out immediately

> but again she said she wanted to wait 1 week. She said " Shouldn't

> the chemo kill any cancer in my body? " I told her that it should

but

> there is always that possibility of it still growing somewhere

else.

> I said that it might be nothing but wouldn't it be safer to find

out

> that it was nothing than to sit around hoping?

>

> I'm not sure whether it is a lump or just something in her vein or

> something. She has been taking coumadin which is a blood thinner

so

> it should keep any clots from forming. But she did tell me today

> that she ran out. We'll definately get more tomorrow before we

come

> home.

>

> My mind is racing with the thoughts that this just isn't fair. Why

> should someone so loving and caring have to suffer through more and

> more of this agony? She often wonders whether God is punishing her

> for something she did, and I tell her that God would not punish you

> and that this was a test of your strength. She is strong, but a

> setback like this could hurt her resolve to fight this thing.

>

> Well we go in on the 7th for the appointment with the surgeon

> concerning her cyst. Hopefully it will be a simple process that

she

> can recover from quickly. Then we schedule the surgery and see how

> it turns out.

>

> Dan &

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dan, I am praying for you and . I believe that the two of you

together can stay strong. God bless you both and keep you safe from

these medical problems. Take care.

~Deb from KS

> > Last night felt a small lump on her left breast. I felt

it

> and

> > it immediately threw me into a panic. Is this something serious

or

> > what? Shouldn't the chemo stop any cancer from growing anywhere

in

> > her body? My mother had one less than a year ago and it turned

out

> > to be absolutely nothing, but with already having colon

> cancer

> > isn't she more proned to other types of cancer? I asked her to

> call

> > her gynecologist today and set up an appointment for a mamogram

but

> > she said that she felt it was nothing and that she would wait

for 1

> > week and if it was still there she would call. I asked her

again

> > today whether the lump (feels like it is smaller than a pea) was

> > still there and she said yes. She located it and guided my hand

to

> > it. I told her that we needed to get this checked out

immediately

> > but again she said she wanted to wait 1 week. She

said " Shouldn't

> > the chemo kill any cancer in my body? " I told her that it

should

> but

> > there is always that possibility of it still growing somewhere

> else.

> > I said that it might be nothing but wouldn't it be safer to find

> out

> > that it was nothing than to sit around hoping?

> >

> > I'm not sure whether it is a lump or just something in her vein

or

> > something. She has been taking coumadin which is a blood

thinner

> so

> > it should keep any clots from forming. But she did tell me

today

> > that she ran out. We'll definately get more tomorrow before we

> come

> > home.

> >

> > My mind is racing with the thoughts that this just isn't fair.

Why

> > should someone so loving and caring have to suffer through more

and

> > more of this agony? She often wonders whether God is punishing

her

> > for something she did, and I tell her that God would not punish

you

> > and that this was a test of your strength. She is strong, but a

> > setback like this could hurt her resolve to fight this thing.

> >

> > Well we go in on the 7th for the appointment with the surgeon

> > concerning her cyst. Hopefully it will be a simple process that

> she

> > can recover from quickly. Then we schedule the surgery and see

how

> > it turns out.

> >

> > Dan &

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Dan... so hoping you can get down to visit with Mom and Sis...will

do both of you a world of good, I would think. Be fun to get warmed up in

January, too. I love going to warm places in the winter, but hate coming back

home!!! Lots of prayers for both of you....

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Dan and , i am so thrilled for that the end of chemo is so

close. God Bless her!!!! Please tell her we are all Praying afor

her.

Good she is feeling better. The pain in her neck could be stress.

Stress does so many strange things. And of course with all the

worries she has gone through the stress has been there for her.

I sure can undestand wanting to do something about the hair. When

it thins like that is is so upsetting trying to make it look good. It

will grow back quick. I promise!!!!!! I know it is all growing back

for me.

Please let us know more how is feeling. Are you all settled

in your new home now??? Love, Ingrid

>

> is doing okay. She only has 2 more chemo sessions to go.

She

> cannot hardly wait for it to end. The neuropathy in her hands is

> driving her crazy. Hopefully the neuropathy goes away once the

chemo

> is done.

>

> She has an ultrasound again today on her ovaries. I cannot

remember

> if I mentioned it previously but instead of 1 cyst on her left

ovary

> she has one on both ovaries now. The one on her left ovary shrunk

> slightly the last time we did a ultrasound so hopefully they are

> going away. She hasn't had any pain or at least hasn't mentioned

any

> for a while so that could be a good sign.

>

> Her next chemo treatment (#11) is next Wednesday. I think that she

> is ready to call that her last one, but I can't make that decision

> for her.

>

> She has complained about pain in her neck but that could be just

> about anything. When we see the oncologist next week I'll

definately

> mention it. It could be stress from all this, home life or work.

> Not quite sure.

>

> She has been doing pretty good though. She got tired of her hair

> being all messed up so she went and got it cut so now it is above

her

> shoulders. I've been with her for 20 years and have never seen her

> hair this short. It's a little different, but once the chemo ends

it

> should all grow back.

>

> Thank you to everyone who has supported and me. Without your

> support and my having the opportunity to post my fears and concerns

> here I think I might have gone crazy?

>

> Hugs to All

>

> Dan &

>

[Guest guest]

Dan:

I mentioned this before on this board but I want to repeat it in case you

didn't read my post. I am going on Monday for my 10th chemo session of Folfox

plus Avastin. The last time I had this, my oncologist spent a lot of time

with me emphasizing that if my neuropathy is too bad, he wants to STOP giving

me the Oxaliplatin. He said it is important for me to monitor my neuropathy

and tell him if it doesn't completely go away between treatments. He said

that the neuropathy may be permanent and that some people are literally

tripping

over their own feet because they can't feel them. He said these last

treatments tend to worsen the neuropathy due to the cumulative impact the chemo

has on us.

Is 's neutopathy going away between treatments? That is the test. If

not, she needs to cut back on the Oxaliplatin or eliminate it altogether.

Having said all of this, and hating my chemo so much, I nevertheless do not

want to have to eliminate the Oxy because I don't want the cancer to come

back. I want all the bang I can get from my chemo. Only 3 more to go and I am

done. (I hope).

BTW: They did reduce all of my dosage of chemo by 20 percent after my second

treatment because I was too sick. Was 's dose ever reduced?

My heart goes out to . You must tell her Onc about this. More then

likely they will reduce the OXY some and that will help. They reduced

mine a little and it helped a lot. I am Praying that can make it

through the last two chemo treatments with very little problems. Please

tell her we are all Praying for her. Love, Ingrid

>

> Well we went to the gynecologist today for her ultrasound on her

> ovaries and good news for a change. The cyst on her left ovary is

> pretty much gone and the one on the right ovary is less than half the

> size it was before!!! YEAAAAAAAA

>

> Finally some good news for . But the neuropathy is driving her

> insane. She said just holding pieces of paper can actually sometimes

> hurt. Any suggestions?

>

> Dan &

>

[Guest guest]

Ingrid,

is feeling good and as I wrote in a post a few minutes ago

her cysts on her ovaries are either gone or dissappearing! Good news

for a change. The neuropathy is driving her mad though. Any

suggestions? She mainly gets it in her hands.

We are pretty much settled in. I've been actually doing some

remodeling that has been long overdue. Anything to make feel

better!

Dan &

> >

> > is doing okay. She only has 2 more chemo sessions to go.

> She

> > cannot hardly wait for it to end. The neuropathy in her hands is

> > driving her crazy. Hopefully the neuropathy goes away once the

> chemo

> > is done.

> >

> > She has an ultrasound again today on her ovaries. I cannot

> remember

> > if I mentioned it previously but instead of 1 cyst on her left

> ovary

> > she has one on both ovaries now. The one on her left ovary

shrunk

> > slightly the last time we did a ultrasound so hopefully they are

> > going away. She hasn't had any pain or at least hasn't mentioned

> any

> > for a while so that could be a good sign.

> >

> > Her next chemo treatment (#11) is next Wednesday. I think that

she

> > is ready to call that her last one, but I can't make that

decision

> > for her.

> >

> > She has complained about pain in her neck but that could be just

> > about anything. When we see the oncologist next week I'll

> definately

> > mention it. It could be stress from all this, home life or

work.

> > Not quite sure.

> >

> > She has been doing pretty good though. She got tired of her hair

> > being all messed up so she went and got it cut so now it is above

> her

> > shoulders. I've been with her for 20 years and have never seen

her

> > hair this short. It's a little different, but once the chemo

ends

> it

> > should all grow back.

> >

> > Thank you to everyone who has supported and me. Without

your

> > support and my having the opportunity to post my fears and

concerns

> > here I think I might have gone crazy?

> >

> > Hugs to All

> >

> > Dan &

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My heart goes out to . You must tell her Onc about this. More then

likely they will reduce the OXY some and that will help. They reduced

mine a little and it helped a lot. I am Praying that can make it

through the last two chemo treatments with very little problems. Please

tell her we are all Praying for her. Love, Ingrid

>

> Well we went to the gynecologist today for her ultrasound on her

> ovaries and good news for a change. The cyst on her left ovary is

> pretty much gone and the one on the right ovary is less than half the

> size it was before!!! YEAAAAAAAA

>

> Finally some good news for . But the neuropathy is driving her

> insane. She said just holding pieces of paper can actually sometimes

> hurt. Any suggestions?

>

> Dan &

>