Starting Cyberknife tomorrow

I will have 4 treatments of Cyberknife. I will go tomorrow (Thursday), Friday, Monday and Tuesday. The treatment will take 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Here's to getting rid of the lung nodules! :-)

Planning CT Scan

I had the planning CT Scan today. Dr. Tincher came in and told me how excited they are that we are getting started soon. After the radiation oncologist, pulmonolagist, and the physicist go over the scan from today, the CyberKnife Center will call me in about a week to let me know what the plan is. So I am waiting to hear from them. I will be in touch as soon as I do.

Kelly

The Markers in Lung Nodules are in place

Dr. Seigel, at Brookwood, placed the markers in the lung nodules this past Friday. He explained the entire procedure to me and Mama. He explained it so well that Mama didn't have any questions, that made me laugh. She always has questions!!

There are 3 nodules and he was able to treat two of them as one, meaning he only placed one marker for the 2 nodules at the base of the lung. The other nodule has its own marker.

I was extremely lucky there was no pneumothorax (no puntcure in the lung). That was one of the risks. Another risk is the markers could move from where they were placed.

I will see when I go get scanned on Monday, 9/21. If everything is in place and everything looks good, they will plan the treatment. So I should know that week when the CyberKnife will start.

Thank you all for your prayers.

CyberKnife Approved

Hello all....
I wanted to update what is going on with me.

A week ago today, I saw Dr. Larson, my medical oncologist. After talking with her and listening to her ideas, we decided to try something new. I have known since the beginning of this journey that hormones feed this type of cancer. Dr. Larson wants to try shutting down my ovaries and see what effect this will have. She gave me the Eligard injection and I will see her again in 6 weeks. (Eligard is used for prostate cancer)

Insurance approved the CyberKnife procedure. I will have the "fiducials" (markers) put in on this Friday. I have to be at Brookwood at 7 AM. They will inject the markers, which are tiny gold seeds. It will take 3 needles to get this done. I'm not all that crazy about 3 needles going in my lung, but this is best. This CyberKnife is amazing!

I will see Dr. Tincher (radiation oncologist) on Monday, the 21st. They will do the planning scans that day. I will start the actual treatments soon thereafter.

I will keep everyone posted!
Thanks!

Met with another doctor today

Today I met with a Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Ronson, at Brookwood. I had to consult with him, since he could possibly be involved with the procedure of putting in the markers for CyberKnife. While talking with him, he asked if I had ever considered having the nodules resected. I told him I didn't think it was an option because other doctors told me that. He told me he could possibly resect one of the lobes of my left lung. The top lobe is where two of the nodules are. He also said he could possibly take the other nodule out completely. He even said that it may be an option to take out the mediastinal tumor. I was excited and overwhelmed at the same time.
I will hear something within 2 days I think. I will update as I know.

So...maybe I won't have to do the CyberKnife. I'll just have to wait to find out.

Thanks to you all!