Test Results

Today was a pretty good day.  The results of the MRI and the PET/CT scan both showed a complete response to the treatments, which means there is no indication of any living cancer cells remaining from the original tumor or the two affected lymph nodes.  In addition, the scans also indicate there are no new occurrences anywhere else.  So basically...right now...I am cancer free!  I am a survivor!

BUT, and there is always a but, there is no clear path forward in regards to surgery or no surgery.  Why? Because there just is not enough data available on my type of cancer.  In the study at Mayo there are only 30 patients in the past 20 years that have experienced this type of cancer. So there is very little evidence based information available.  My tumor was caught at the earliest stage of all of the 30 so there is NO evidence of a clear path forward regarding whether or not to have surgery to improve life expectancy.  Because my cancer was a small cell cancer there is a high probability (but not a absolute) that it will resurface somewhere in my body.  My medical oncologist, Dr. Halfdanarson, is going to consult more with my Radiology Oncologist, Dr. Owen and the surgeon, Dr. Dozios.  He feels the scope I have scheduled with Dr. Dozios in a couple weeks is an important piece in determining the best course of action.  We met with Dr. Owen after Dr. Halfdanarson and she said her recommendation to the medical team would be observation (frequent testing) with no surgery.  Like Dr. Halfdanarson, she also favors me having the scope in two weeks with Dr. Dozios to get a visual look at the tumor.  Surgery or no surgery I will have a PET/CT or regular CT scan every two months to check for reoccurrences of the cancer.  My head is still swimming with all this news.

So, all my surgery related appointments, scheduled for the week of November 2, remain on the calendar. My scope with Dr. Dozios is scheduled for the 4th. This is the date the final determination for surgery will be decided.

On the lighter side it was a beautiful snowy day here today...cold, but not unbearable.