Week Six

     Week six started on Tuesday 27, December with my standard radiation treatment, 24 of 38, then over to the cancer center for my blood work which was good, only a slight decrease on my red blood cell count, then a short consult with the doctor who said I'm doing great and after my last treatment, third week of January, I will get a 1 month break then more scans and next phase of chemotherapy treatments, they are the ones that will knock the hair off my head ;>) then I went to the treatment room for my 5th set of infusions, as before no adverse side effects, just extremely tired for about 4 hours, also only able to sleep for about 5 hours.
     Wednesday I had my 25th  radiation treatment and a consult with the doctor who also said I'm doing great, gained 3 more pounds, yikes! Once I finish these treatments I will be done with radiation and will only receive chemotherapy for a few more months.
     I still feel great, have a good appetite, and other then the night after chemo I sleep good. Thanks to all who have been following this blog, I appreciate the support.
     Here is the new field for radiation to the tumor and lymph node areas for the last half of my treatments.

Week Five

     Today I had imaging and my 19th radiation treatment, was unable to see the doctor because of  my chemo appointment time. They said I will see the doctor on Wednesday.
     All was good at the cancer center for my chemo infusions, blood work was good. Still no adverse side effects, a little tired but I still feel great. Here is a photo of me getting my premeds.

     Tomorrow I have to be at the surgery center at 7:00 AM for a Broncoscope to insert the catheters for my second Brachytherapy treatment, High-Dose Rate (HDR) internal radiation therapy. I'll update more when I get home tomorrow.

    Tuesday December 20, 2011 Update: The Broncoscope with catheter placement and the Brachytherapy treatment both went well, with some great news, the Broncoscope also reveled that the nearly obstructing (greater than 90% obstructed) mass found proximally in the right upper lobe is now only about 20% obstructed :>)
Also informed that the outer mass (tumor) is shrinking :>)

     Once the catheters were in place I was moved to radiation oncology for the Brachytherapy treatment. Here are a couple of pictures prior to me going into the procedure room.

Today I had my CAT scan, here is a picture prior to the procedure.

After the CAT scan I went to the radiation room for my normal external beam radiation treatment.

Saturday December 18, 2011

After my CAT scan on Thursday I had a PET scan on Friday so the radiation doctors can see how much my tumor has shrunk and reduce the area of radiation for the last half of my treatments. I'll know the results Monday.

Week Four

     Monday was imaging and radiation at the radiation oncology center. They have set me up for another CAT scan on Thursday so they can reduce the field of radiation to the tumor for the last half of my treatments.
     Then I reported to the cancer center for my infusions of premeds and chemo which including blood work takes about 4 1/2 hours. My blood work was good and the only reactions from the infusions were a headache, feeling tired and heartburn, also on the night after chemo even though I'm tired I have a hard time sleeping. Nice to be retired as I can take naps ;>)
     Today I had my routine radiation treatment and informed I will also have another PET scan on Friday. These two scans are used to measure to see how much the tumor has shrunk and adjust coordinates for the external beam radiation.
     I still feel great, have a good appetite and only feel the fatigue on Monday and Tuesday, by Wednesday I'm my usual happy grumpy self  >P)

Week Three

     Monday started my third week of treatments, starting with my 9th of 38 radiation treatments, also had a brief visit with the doctor who was pleased to see that I have gained 10 pounds as most people loose weight. Then I reported to the cancer center for my 2nd chemotherapy infusions. Once finished I didn't have any adverse side effects, just felt a little tired with a slight headache.
     Tuesday I had my Broncoscope so as they could insert catheters for my HRD Brachytherapy, the first catheter was placed in the right upper bronchial lobe ant segment and the second catheter was place in the post segment, then I was transported to radiation department for the catheters to be hooked up to a machine that deliver the radioactive pellets, this procedure lasted about 5 minutes. This treatment is for the nearly obstructing (greater than 90% obstructed) mass that was found proximally in the right upper lobe. I will have this done again on the 20th of this month and again the 3rd of January. I will continue with the external beam radiation treatments for the external mass that is around the outer part of this lobe area.
     I still feel great and keeping a positive attitude.

HDR Brachytherapy

     I have been scheduled for High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy next Tuesday instead of my routine radiation treatment. I will also have this procedure done on the 20th of December and the 3rd of January. The other days I will still receive the external beam radiation therapy. 
     High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation from implants placed close to, or inside, the tumor(s) in the body. This technique ensures the maximum radiation dose is given to cancerous tissues, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. The implants are inserted through a catheter which is positioned in the lung by means of a Bronchoscopy, during the procedure, the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope through your nose (or sometimes your mouth), down your throat, and into your airways through this tube the catheters are positioned and the bronchoscope is then removed and the catheters are hooked up to a machine that deliver the radioactive pellets, here is a excerpt from "Cancer Treatment Centers of America" web site that furthers explains this procedure.
           

How Does HDR Brachytherapy Work?

Because cancer often affects organs that are essential to daily functioning, it is important for radiation treatment to be tightly focused on tumors to avoid serious side effects.

• Before each HDR brachytherapy treatment, we check the position of the catheters with millimeter precision.
• During treatment, our doctors insert tiny, hollow catheters directly into tumors to deliver a precise, three-dimensional dose of radiation.
• Next, a series of radioactive pellets are inserted into each catheter. Computer guidance controls how far the pellet goes into the catheter and how long the pellet stays in the catheter to release its radiation dose.

With a few well-placed catheters, HDR brachytherapy can provide a very precise treatment for cancer in just a few minutes.

Advantages of HDR Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy offers a quicker, more effective way to give radiation treatments for some patients. For many cancer types, the entire brachytherapy treatment takes 1 to 2 days, instead of 5 to 7 weeks for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
Depending on the type and stage of cancer, brachytherapy may be combined with other treatments, which can vary treatment times. In many cases, brachytherapy is a promising alternative to surgical removal of a tumor or the affected organ.

     Being my cancer is not operable I am looking forward to this procedure. I will update more as this goes along.

My day at the Cancer Specialists facility.

     The day started off at 4:30 am so I could get to the center by 7:45 am. That gave me time to take care of things at home before leaving and getting some breakfast and of course COFFEE. Once I had checked in I was called back for blood work followed by a 30 minute presentation to help explain how chemotherapy treatments worked and what side affects I may have. Next was a brief visit with one of the cancer doctors to explain the first phase of my chemotherapy treatment, which will be once a week for the next six weeks or as long as my radiation treatments last. Also I don't need any special diet at this time.
     Once in the treatment room they started giving me my infusions (IVs) here is a list of what I was given and brief description of what they are for:
 Palonosetron (Aloxi) is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur
within 24 hours after receiving cancer chemotherapy.
Dexamethasone (Decadron) is a corticosteroid, used to treat certain types of cancer.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl iv) Helps control nausea.
Randitidine (Zaniac iv) Used to help with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Paclitaxel (Taxol) A chemotherapy drug used for ovarian, breast and lung cancer,  it works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Carboplatin (Paraplatin) A chemotherapy drug used against some forms of cancer (mainly ovarian carcinoma, lung, head and neck cancers).
     These infusions took about 4 hours, only because they were my first treatments and they wanted to make sure I didn't have any reactions to any of the medications. My next infusions should only take about 2 1/2 hours. So far I haven't had any reaction to anything other than being light headed for a brief time during the initial infusions.
     Once finished with the chemotherapy I had my radiation treatment and home at 3 pm. I still feel great and am very pleased with the outcome of the day. Now I am going to relax with a couple of ice cold adult beverages and have some leftover turkey and fixin's for dinner.

Radiation Oncology

     Today I started my radiation treatments. I will have 38 treatments over the next few weeks, Monday thru Friday and nothing on week-ends or holidays. The treatments last about 15 minutes, which includes getting me positioned and line up on the table, the procedure is similar to an x-ray, just a lot more centrally located.
     Every Monday in addition to my treatment they will take x-rays, followed by a consultation with my Radiation Oncology Doctor to explain how things are progressing and to see if I am having any side effects, which could be a sore throat, skin irritation and fatigue.
     Each and every person I have come in contact with at this facility has been extremely friendly, positive and professional. I will post more next week after my first chemotherapy treatment on Monday the 28th.

     

Radiation Oncology and Cancer Center appointments today.

     Radiation Oncology appointment consisted of another CAT scan to verify the location of the mass in my right lung and set up location points on my chest and sides so as to pinpoint where the radiation will be directed once I start radiation treatments, which is tentatively scheduled for the 21st of this month, pending what the Cancer Center Doctor assigns for my treatments.
     The Cancer Center appointment was primarily paper work for insurance purposes, blood work, vitals and a brief consultation with a Doctor to explain the up coming treatments which will be 6 months of on and off chemo and radiation treatments, the first phase of chemo will start on the 28th of this month and will not cause any hair loss, phase two of chemo (in a couple of months) will be total hair loss. The Doctor did tell me that this a Stage 3 lung cancer and Stage 3 is considered a “locally advanced” cancer, meaning the tumor has not spread to distant regions of the body but has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the body as the tumor which I have a few in the same lung.
     The results of the MRI was good, but did confirm that I do have a few loose screws LOL 8>) I will update when I know more. Thanks for all of the well wishes.

Results of Radiation Oncology consultation.

     November 10, 2011. Today I had my consultation with the Radiation Oncology department of the cancer center. The results of the PET scan were good, no cancer in any other part of my body. They have scheduled me for a MRI tomorrow to verify that there isn't any problems in my brain which the PET scan won't show very well.
     On Monday I have an appointment with the Cancer Specialists of North Florida for a consultation about chemotherapy treatments. I also have another appointment Monday with the Radiation Oncology center to get things set up for radiation treatments, which will probably start after I start chemotherapy, as they want the cancer mass to shrink before performing radiation to minimize lung tissue damage. 
     I still feel great and am impressed with the positive attitude of the Doctor about these upcoming treatments. I will post more next week.

Papa D's new chapter in life.

     October 27, 2011 I had a chest x-ray because I was coughing up red/pink phlegm (I have COPD) The x-ray showed a mass in my right lung. I was advised to check into the hospital for further evaluation. There I had a Bronchoscope which revealed Right Lung Abnormalities: A nearly obstructing (greater than 90% obstructed) mass was found proximally in the right upper lobe. The mass was endobronchial and fungating. The lesion was successfully traversed and is likely malignant. Endobronchial biopsies were performed in the right upper lobe and sent for histopathology examination, routine cytology, AFB analysis & culture and fungal analysis. Protected brushings were obtained in the right upper lobe and sent for routine cytology.
     I spent 2 days in the hospital and was given antibiotics and steroids to combat bronchitis. After being discharged I was given Prednisone and more antibiotics. The bronchitis has cleared up and my breathing has been better than ever.
      November 4, 2011 I saw my lung Doctor and was given the results of the biopsy which was confirmed as being lung cancer (Squamous Cell stage III A) one of the two most common lung cancers. It is not operable because of the location of the mass so chemo and radiation will probably be my treatments. Appointments were set up for me to have a PET scan, consultation with a cancer doctor and treatments.
    November 8, 2011 I had the Pet scan. The procedure for the PET scan consisted of having my blood sugar checked, then I was given a radioactive solution into my blood stream followed by about 40 minutes of relaxing before being put through the scanner which took about 25 minutes taking several scans of my body head to toe. The purpose for the scan is to see if I have cancer in any other parts of my body, I will know the results on Thursday. As for my present condition I feel great and am not in any pain. I will update this as I find out more.