A Liberal_Andy Update, one year after

[Liberal_Andy]

I don't know how many of you remember, I've posted here a few times regarding my medical thingy I've had goin' on since last March....

persistent sore throat, throat cancer diagnosis in April '05 (squamous cell carcinoma), thorascopy with wedge resection to remove a spot on left lower lung lobe in May (also squamous cell), IMRT radiation to neck and chemo (cisplatin and 5FU) in June and July, scans in August show throat clear but metastatic nodules in both lungs, but nowhere else,... more chemo (erbitux, carboplatin, and taxol) from September to November, November scans show more nodules, chemo changed to erbitux and taxotere to present.

In December my medical oncologist suggested I see a doctor at Duke, to see what they have to offer as a backup. He does his own CT and PET scans on me there in February, plus has his ENT and radiology oncologist check me out.

My wife and I saw him a couple days ago, and here's what he told us;

"I see no galloping tumors in your lungs. I see nothing to treat right now. My left lobe shows scarring from the surgery, there are seven nodules in both lungs, could be tumors or granulomas (benign). I do not see any active cancer on either side on CT scan. One nodule on right side may be scar. PET show uptake in esophagus, probably due to acid reflux I've been having, plus the scars from the radiation."

Best case scenario - I had isolated left lung cancer and throat cancer, both cured,...suggests stop treatment and watch, (scans every few months).

Worst case - Seven cancer nodules in both lungs, after six months therapy, one remaining on right, scarring on left. suggests continue erbitux or tarceva (oral maintenance) and watch.

He says I've been getting excellent treatment here in Greensboro, and to meet with my local doc (I will next week) and decide what to do. "God's not ready for you yet." (Good thing, no rush!) I've was on disability last summer for thirteen weeks, and went back out late December to present, probably will go back to work April 1.

If I stop treatment, and scans show the nodules are growing, then we'll know they're cancer and not scars (scars don't grow), and we'll resume chemo. They're tiny now, not time to panic yet. I intend to be around to see this current reign of witches end, and the sooner the better.

LA

[Fridays Child]

1. Bless your heart. That's excellent news!

:hug: :toast:

[TAPat]

2. Best of luck to you! nt

[qanda]

3. Oh happy day!

I'm so happy for your good news. You've been through so much. I'm hoping that the good news wins out and that you indeed are cured.

[Mz Pip]

4. Sounds like a hopeful diagnosis!

Good luck to you! Hope everything continues in a positive direction. :hi:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[SmokingJacket]

5. I do remember you...

and am delighted to hear you are faring well and getting ready to go back to work.

Keep fighting -- we need you!

:toast:

[babylonsister]

6. Andy! Here's hoping you beat

that nasty disease. You've been through a lot, but it's wonderful to hear the Duke doc's positive prognosis! :hug:

[cally]

7. What a year you've had

It sounds like you've beaten this demon. I'm glad you are winning this battle. :hug:

[motocicleta]

8. Nice to hear some good news once in a while.

I have a good friend with 5 years in after stage 4 breast cancer and stem cell transplant - and she is still getting regular clear scans. It's amazing what the docs can do these days.

May your good health last long after our memories of these bastards have faded.

[MissB]

9. Sounds positive!

[LiberalEsto]

10. Blessings of healing to you nt

[seabeyond]

11. i love you. tears in the eyes. thank you for sharing your story

enjoy the spring. the warm sun. the blossoms, the greening of grass. birds, joy laughter

[leftchick]

12. My best wishes, hopes and prayers to you Andy!

What a hellacious year you have had. You are a very brave soul.

[Sapphire Blue]

13. No, "God's not ready for you yet"... we need you here!

I intend to be around with you to see this current reign of witches end! :hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Best of luck to you!

I don't know if you're into alternatives, but you may wish to take selenium. It's a mineral, and studies have shown that it helps cells keep from going cancerous.

[cry baby]

15. glad to hear your good news!

sounds like your life has been very busy in the tasks of healing. glad it worked!

[myrna minx]

16. My best thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

May you have the best case scenario. :hug:

[rockymountaindem]

17. Congratulations! n/t

[MissWaverly]

18. Congrats to you

Lung cancer is very hard to beat, I am sure that along with all the medical treatments
which there are many, it took a heaping helping of strength and courage by you and
your family. Hooray for all of you for climbing that mountain, I hope the climb back
to base camp is an easy one.

Miss Waverly

:-)

[katinmn]

19. You beat it, Andy! This is wonderful news.

Thank you for the update.:)

[uppityperson]

20. Glad to hear it is still under control, congratulations.

Am hoping you get to be around to celebrate with all of us when the nightmare is over. Stay healthy and thanks for the update.

[ClayZ]

21. Good on you!

:grouphug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. Here's hoping for the best case scenario to win out *hugs and prayers*

[caligirl]

23. Thank you so much for giving people hope through your success story.

[soup]

24. Here's hoping for the best case scenario.

What a long haul it's been for you and hopefully it will soon be over except for follow-ups.

The cancer beast is so hard on those who love us, too. Give your wife an extra hug.

Glad you're sticking around to see this misadministration go d.o.w.n.

[electropop]

25. You'll be here.

You're invited to my Post-Impeachment Party.

[Midlodemocrat]

26. Wonderful, wonderful news.

Thank you for sharing with us.

[mom cat]

27. Fabulous news. We need stuborn fighters like you! Stick around!

:toast:

[roguevalley]

28. This is such good news. I know how hard all this was for you and

yours. My dad has pulled through lung cancer, strokes and just now lymphoma. I believe you can win these things and it looks like you have. BELIEVE IT! Put it in your DNA and BELIEVE IT and you will win. Bravo, my friend.

Rv

[Liberal_Andy]

29. I've had a lot of support from many places, and it's really...

made a difference, so.............
Thanks to all of you!!!!! (you know who you are!)

:yourock:

[KitchenWitch]

30. I had no idea you were going through this!

I am glad you are getting the treatment you need. I know you have the strength to beat this!

[MsUSA]

31. *hugs* and *prayers* also.

Keep your positive attitude, have heard that can be sooooooo important in treatment and recovery. Good luck.

[Career Prole]

32. I remember you, Andy!

And it's great to see you're still kickin'!!
Thanks for making my weekend!
:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:

[Liberal_Andy]

34. And I , you! Thanks,...

it's great to be seen!

:hi:

[Career Prole]

36. I hope you have the energy to come by now and again.

We've missed ya, buddy! :pals:

[PlanetBev]

33. Thanks for sharing that Andy

I became a member of the "club" in December when that lesion on my arm turned out to be malignant melanoma. It was a rare type that mimics non-cancerous lesions. Even the doctors were shocked. Thank goodness it was caugt early. I was never the type to lay in the sun, but it was on my left arm (driver's side)and nailed me after 37 years of driving. They did a local wide excision in the hospital in January, and biopsied a few sentinel lymph nodes, just to be sure. Even though the chance of spread was low, let me assure you, I was shitless. I circled the wagons with my family, friends and co-workers and fought with my demons until the doctor said "all clear". I'm left handed, so I'll probably being going to physical therapy to get back the range of motion.

Guys, take care of yourselves out there. We don't need to lose any more liberals. If you live in a sunny climate, (me, Los Angeles) put sunscreen on, especially on that driving arm. Believe me, I didn't hang my arm out the window, you don't have to, the sun beats into the window you while your driving.

Andy, glad to hear you're doing so well. If any carcinoma dares re-emerge, pretend it's George Bush and kick the shit out of it. I named my skin cancer "Ann Coulter".

Planetbev

[Liberal_Andy]

35. thank you, PlanetBev!

Glad to hear yours hadn't spread. That's always the fear.

[NoGOP]

37. That's great.......

keep fighting!

[stop the bleeding]

38. keep up the positve mental and physical treatments

very good to hear that things are going better

[benburch]

39. Andy, that is SO much better than last report!

I am so happy to hear that you are likely on the mend!

If you ever get to Chicago, dinner is on me.

[Liberal_Andy]

40. Thanks, benburch

Sounds great! I hear they have some decent steaks there.

[Rainscents]

41. Hi Andy!

Thanks for great news and my prayer is with you and your family for continue with good news.

:hi: O8)