Biopsy results

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We went to Sunnybrook today expecting to deal with the cancer spot on Mom's rib. It didn't end up that way.

It turned out that the biopsy results arrived while we were sitting there. So they changed the doctor assigned to us to Dr. Yee Ung (radiation therapy specialist).

Dr Ung walked in with pretty well full knowledge of Mom's case.

Right away he explained that Mom has small-cell lung cancer. This cancer "responds well to chemotherapy". In a regular patient, the treatment would be chemo either with radiation or followed by radiation.

Then he stated that we should arrange for chemotherapty as soon as possible. To establish a chemo schedule, he felt the chemo manager needs to know
  • whether the cancer has spread
  • Mom's tolerance to chemo
To answer these questions, Mom's tests will be:
  • bone scan (scheduled)
  • respiratory test (scheduled)
  • PET scan (a test which shows where cancer cells are)
  • MRI 
For a healthy younger patient, a full round of chemo is: 3 days of treatment, 18 days off, and repeat this 6 times. There will be nausea, hair loss and strain on the kidneys.

He then signed off, and said that he will probably be involved in Mom's treatment plan once she comes back to the Radiation department.

New Meds

These replace the daily prescribed drugs:
  • cyclobenzaprine 10mg (to replace baclofen)
    • makes more drowy than baclofen
    • muscle relaxant
  • naproxen 500mg + esomep 20mg (to replace the straight naproxen)
    • 30m before food; not with food
    • pain relief and anti-inflamitory
    • the esomep is the stomach protection 

Mom is also on Ventalin (the puffer, on demand) and either Tylenol or Robaxacet (these are very simiilar, as needed)

Comments

  1. Pat Beirne30 September 2017 at 15:43

    Friday afternoon Mom had a minor fall in the hallway. Nothing was hurt or broken; but it does make it clear that someone will have to stay with her now.

    On Thursday, the doctor suggested that Mom will get a better sleep if she doesn't nap during the day, and perhaps goes for a walk (up and down the hallway) around 8pm. Between that and the new meds, Mom got about 8 hours sleep last night.

    ReplyDelete

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