I´m seeking further advice from you, dear survivors and caregivers...my mum had her PET scan last week and the results said that the lumbal vertebrae L4 proved evidence of cancer...we had an X-ray and MRI done this week which proved the same...she had clear scan as far as her right lung and the pleural area are concerned, however, it got in her spine...the docs can´t tell us if it was there before the surgery, chemo and radiation, because they didn´t do a PET scan to her before they even started with any of the treatments...what to expect now? is the very question we all ask you, with similar stories, here ...mum´s going back to hospital next Monday, they ordered her 5-10 radiation cycles and all her bones scan...she might be ordered another chemotherapy, however, her veins are damaged so hard that a blood take or any other performance on her veins can´t be done at the first shot...maybe a port will be an option, who knows...share your stories with us, tomotherapy can´t be performed in the country where we live, only radiation and chemo...thank you all for your replies.
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PET scan results - L4 vertebrae lit up...
- By miwawrka
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 3:45 am · 6 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage III
- Shared with the public
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- By cmbrne
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 11:09 am
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If your mom can travel, I'd take her to a country that has TomoTherapy. I drove thru several countries in 10 days when I was in Euope, so I know it can be done. I had a lesion on my L4 vertebrae last year and had to have TomoTherapy in another state 400 miles away. When the spinal cord is at risk, she needs very precise targeted radiation.
- By miwawrka
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm
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thank you cmrbrne...I discussed the risk of her spinal cord to be affected with her radiologist and she said it is not because it is the area where the spinal cord does not reach...well, I hope it is as she said...from tomorrow morning they will start a set of targeted examinations following her PET and MRI scan results from the last week which will last a couple of days...then they are going to perform 5-10 as said precise radiations and then the chemo - taxol as I read in the report...in the meantime they will do a bone scintigraphy to detect any other alligators - mets...we pray there would be none...her lit up L4 met is about 3cm big and is intruding the left-hand side of her vertebrae...her orthopedist prescribed her a special rubber waist band to support her back and prevent the vertebrae to break...the radiologist also said that due to the radiations her vertebrae would be strengthened and more solid...well, that´s all we know...I asked about the tomotherapy and all I heard was a big laughter...well, cmbrne, do you happen to know where exactly do they perform them in Europe? you had L4 inflictions as well as my mum, so it is more than suspicious that your docs told you to be at a risk if undergoing a radiotherapy...
- By cmbrne
- Posted November 1, 2009 at 6:09 pm
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No, I'm sorry, I don't know where they would have TomoTherapy in Europe, I assume it is being used in Europe because it's the latest in hi tech targeted radiation. It is similar to Novalis which originated in Germany. I chose TomoTherapy for my treatment because I wanted to avoid any possible damage to my spine and spinal cord. My oncologist made no mention of my spinal cord being at risk and had ordered standard radiation treatments. I refused and chose to have TomoTherapy because I felt there was less risk of damage to the surrounding area. It was the best choice for me and if I need treatment radiation treatment again, I will again choose TomoTherapy. My best to you and your mom. I hope her treatment goes very well. Please keep me posted.
- By cmbrne
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 9:15 am
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To further explain my choice of TomoTherapy,
It's true that the spinal cord ends around the 1st and 2nd vertebrae, but it connects to nerves that exit thru the corresponding vertebraes. I was afraid standard radiation would be too widespread and damage those nerves. I have alot of respect for the power of radiation and the good it can do. I also have alot of fear about the damage it can do. I felt it was better to be safe than sorry when it came to my spine. I suspect they will use a form of IMRT to treat your mom.
- By miwawrka
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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Surprisingly this morning, as soon as we reached the hospital, my mum has got her first radiation out of 5 (not 10...) and they did the gamagraphy to her bones, we will learn the results tomorrow morning...the met in her vertebrae seems to be rather aggressive and is growing fast, so the docs recommended us to act quickly and not to put off further treatment...TomoTherapy does not seem to be the thing we can afford due to the lack of time right now...nevertheless I checked the nearest TomoTherapy centre, it is in Heidelberg, Germany, I will email them to find out more about their protocol of patients admission in order to keep ourselves more informed on less harmful therapies...thank you for the tip...will keep you posted, of course...
- By cmbrne
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 4:57 pm
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Hi Miwawrka, I'm so glad you located a TomoTherapy Center. I hope Heidelberg isn't too far away. If you have enough time to take your mom to Germany, I'm sure you will be very pleased with the treatment. No side effects, treatment lasts about 25 min. a day, maybe 10 days, maybe a little longer depending on the radiation oncologist, and very effective. I'm sure whatever you do will be in your mom's best interest. Germany has many very effective cancer treatments that haven't been approved in the US. Again, l hope all goes well in whatever you do and your mom soon feels herself again. This is a very difficult journey for all of us. Stay strong.
Charlene
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