Bad news from Pet Scan

Hi Pod265 

So sorry to hear your cancer has returned and you require further treatment . It’s always a rough period pulling yourself back up for that but it’s certainly not without hope .

My mum has had treatment for liver and lung spread and there are others on the forum who have Had a spread to the abdominal cavity .

Going straight to chemo can be a very good idea as it not only gets to work on the visible but the invisible disease . Some people use chemo in a maintenance setting for literally years . Others get surgical or target treatment if possible . They always rescan and add in other approaches if possible .

My mum had a spread at diagnosis back in 2009 when she was 67 and with the help of her team got to 2024 . Died at a wonderful 82 .

She kept connected with life and spent her time focusing on her well being .

take care ,

Court 

Thanks. That's a hopeful reply. Just what I need. I'm suffering with bad nausea today and it's probably anxiety related. But I have managed to eat some soup. Thank you again and I'm pleased that your mum managed to live so long with the cancer. She must have been a very brave lady. 

Renzo

Remember and get a dietician involved if required . Mum used some build up soups to keep her going at various points .

The initial anxiety is harsh but it does get better when you feel something is being done to tackle it .

My mum would always talk about taking time to find her focus then it was best foot forward and thought about her well being and general life . But she did allow herself time and space to process it all  that is so important too .

You have done well getting some soup to stay down when you feel that way .

Heres to significant shrinkage . Mum actually had big tumours but chemo apparently works best on cells that are multiplying quickly as long as you are responsive .They literally shrank off the screen .

Court 

Yes, i will ask about a dietician. Build up soups! Helen is straight on to it. Thank you for taking the time to help me. If only my GP was as helpful as you have been:)

Oh thank you . We have a wonderful GP . He is not allowed to retire and I feel so sad for people who don’t have this and he assisted so much .

However you will get there , we got some complan soups in the shops . They are normally located beside the medicines . They have lots of nutrients in them so that and a piece of toast really helped  to ease the mind . 

You can ask your hospital team about getting a dietitian involved . It’s good to get some professional advice .

Our helpline might have some leaflets too .

You could also tell your team you are a bit nauseous as they will be able to help you .

Take care ,

Court 

Thanks:) Will do.

I had a meeting with my Oncologist yesterday. I was hoping for the best but expecting the worse. The meeting started well with the Oncologist saying the cancer in my lung was only about 9mm and that the lung cancer and return of my bowel cancer were both treatable. 

However, she then said she was concerned with the lump in my abdominal cavity and needed a biopsy to see if that was also cancerous. All as I expected but then she dropped the bombshell. If there was found to be cancer in my abdominal cavity, then there would be no point in carrying out any further surgery on any part of me. Just chemo with a life expectancy of approximately two years.

Both Helen and I are in a state of shock. As the lump in my abdominal cavity is very likely to be cancer, I've just been given a death sentence when I thought I might have a chance of fighting the cancer for a few years. 

So we went to the pub for a couple glasses of wine, which only made matters worse. I wouldn't recommend alcohol therapy! 

I know there is nothing that can be said but try to keep going, but the next 12 weeks of chemo are going to be tough knowing that I've no chance of recovery.

Just getting this off my chest. I'll pick up tomorrow probably:)

Thanks for listening. 

Renzo.

This is tough news indeed! I would encourage you to hang onto a sliver of hope. Everyone is different and you may have a better response to chemo than expected. A new treatment may come out that targets your cancer. You really don't know for sure and neither do the doctors.  

Sending you virtual hugs. I can't imagine how devastating it would be to hear the news you did. 

Thanks Susan. It is always difficult in the week following bad news to manage our reaction. It just takes time. It doesn't help that I have nausea and I haven't even started chemo yet? Thank you for responding.

Renzo

Morning Pod265 . These meetings are so tough . The the abdominal area have any uptake with the pet scan ?

Firstly that is a tiny spread to the lung . Secondly there are people here who remain on chemotherapy for years . The stats also accommodate people like my mum who were much older and unable to take treatment . She gets included in the stats . You really are a stat of one .

https://drjamiemurphy.co.uk/news/understanding-the-difference-between-pipac-and-hipec/

This can be an option for some patients depending on the volume of disease in the abdomen . I don’t know much about that area but I do know a previous poster send her scans to this man and he reviewed them very quickly as a second opinion . He also does private work I think .

A second opinion is always an option at any point . But in my mind chemo is a starting point with good reason . It gives the systemic approach to tackle all areas at once but we also found getting surgical opinions helpful too as it gives you a broader clinical view to get a full picture .

I only ever saw my mum with a glass of wine in her hand  once in her life an  it was after being told it was in her liver . Never used it again but you are in good company .

We are here for you .

Court