PET scan results

The oncologist, Dr Tucker, came in the door to the exam room at today's visit cc and immediately announced that the PET scan didn't show any cancer anywhere but the lungs. There are some lymph nodes in the lungs that stood out, but none in the bones, which is where we thought it all started. Interestingly, they couldn't find any in the brain either. It appears that Wayne is one of those people for whom radiation works well.

The oncologist would like to do six weeks of daily lung radiation as well as once a week of chemo. I think it may last a but longer than the radiation. There is a glitch though: Wayne apparently has emphysema that has advanced some, which increases the risk of developing radiation pneumonitis, which can be fatal. Usually it is cured with steroids, so knowing this, I think they will be very careful. Then there is the fact that the radiology oncologist at our medical center (Dr Register) doesn't like to do radiation on lungs. Apparently they don't do it often there. But Dr Tucker has seen this protocol work to cure cancer that is even as advanced as Wayne's, so he really wants to give it a try as long as Dr. Register agrees.

Wayne has his last brain radiation tomorrow. We will be seeing Dr. Register at that time, so we will talk about it with him. Last week he indicated that although he doesn't like to radiate the lungs, he will defer to Dr. Tucker. I'm not sure though if he knew about the emphysema. Still, if he doesn't, then the chemotherapy will not be curative, but merely palliative--that which only treats the symptoms to try to keep someone more comfortable longer. Obviously, Wayne wants to go for the cure.

We recognize that the cure could possibly kill him, but we know that the cancer definitely will if he doesn't get the radiation. A small risk of an earlier death seems like the best bet. Of course there is one other thing that he has to do in order to get that cure. He has to quit smoking. So he has finally agreed to quit. I am so glad. I quit myself fourteen years ago, and it's hard. You have to make the decision for yourself to quit and other people trying to push you to quit just make you want to smoke more. But tonight, Wayne finally agreed that it is time to stop. He has less than two packs left, and I am not buying him any more. Period.

Wayne has also been getting home PT and OT. Today the occupational therapist cut him loose. She said that he is doing really well, and while they had some concerns early on that he might lose a bit more function from the radiation before he got it back, this hasn't been the case. He is stronger than he was when he was released from the hospital by quite a bit. He is still needing to use his walker and shower chair, and we're really grateful for the handicapped parking permit because it really helps when we're able to be out and about, but the therapist said he will likely have to reprogram some of his brain with new pathways before becoming that sure-footed mountain goat he's always been. Still, though, she didn't say it wouldn't happen!

While you are praying for him, pray too that it will not be so terribly hard for him to quit. Please sign up for gmail and write comments on the blog if you can. If one person leaves a comment, then everyone can read it and comment back and forth. I have a weight loss blog at MSN spaces and I get some great discussions going sometimes. I love it. I know Wayne will appreciate hearing from everyone in any form, however, so if writing on the blog doesn't work for you, that's okay too.

We are going to be moving this week. We have been renting from a friend, and I think this all got too much for her and she has asked us to be out before next weekend. That in itself is going to be fun, but that's the way life is. Wayne's cell number for the moment is 509-607-1532. Mine is 509-237-0597. If we aren't available any other way, you can get us on those numbers. We will be changing cells soon, but I'll keep you posted.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything, feel free to write in the comments section, send me an email or call one of us. I will update again after talking to Dr. Register tomorrow and again after seeing Dr. Tucker again on Friday.