PET Confirms… Now Stage IV

This topic has 39 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 11 months ago by tschmith.

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- January 22, 2014 at 9:45 pm
- Quote
kpcollins31
Participant
Well, I had my PET scan this morning as a follow up to a CT right before Christmas that indicated a mass in my bowels. PET scan confirms that the mass is indeed cancer which makes me stage IV – "small bowel metastatic melanoma" per my oncologist. At least I was mentally prepared to hear this.

The good news, if there is any, is that the spread was very localized… just a single bright spot in the small bowel (it did seem pretty large to me though). Nothing else lit up on the scan.

Next step is surgery on February 4. At least I can enjoy normal food and some good adult beverages during the Superbowl :). The surgery will be a pain, but I am confident I will bounce back quickly. After surgery, I will definitely getting involved in some adjuvant therapy… which one I still need to decide. At least there seem to be a few good options for us now.

Kevin

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- - January 22, 2014 at 10:13 pm
  - Quote
  Bubbles
  Participant
  Sorry, Kevin. I know you were wishing for a very different result. But, I agree. You seem to be well prepared to deal with what you must and have several viable treatement options out there. Hang in there and enjoy the Superbowl!!! Best of luck on the 4th. C
- - January 22, 2014 at 10:13 pm
  - Quote
  Bubbles
  Participant
  Sorry, Kevin. I know you were wishing for a very different result. But, I agree. You seem to be well prepared to deal with what you must and have several viable treatement options out there. Hang in there and enjoy the Superbowl!!! Best of luck on the 4th. C
- - January 22, 2014 at 10:13 pm
  - Quote
  Bubbles
  Participant
  Sorry, Kevin. I know you were wishing for a very different result. But, I agree. You seem to be well prepared to deal with what you must and have several viable treatement options out there. Hang in there and enjoy the Superbowl!!! Best of luck on the 4th. C
- - January 22, 2014 at 10:23 pm
  - Quote
  BrianP
  Participant
  Sorry about the news Kevin. I had about a foot of my small intestines taken out in May. I was dreading the surgery but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be and I have no after effects. Feel free to message me if you like. It sounds like you have a surgeon lined up but I will say if you have any doubts Dr. Tyler at Duke is outstanding.
  
  Brian
  - January 22, 2014 at 11:53 pm
    
    Quote
    mwcollins
    Participant
    
    Knowing all the treatment options out there now, I know that we will get through it, Kevin! As we said about the big test that you couldn’t prepare for, we got a solid ‘C’. Yes it’s back, yes that puts us in a different place, but with all the different treatments out there, there is bound to be something that will work for you & keep you around for many years to come.
  - January 22, 2014 at 11:53 pm
    
    Quote
    mwcollins
    Participant
    
    Knowing all the treatment options out there now, I know that we will get through it, Kevin! As we said about the big test that you couldn’t prepare for, we got a solid ‘C’. Yes it’s back, yes that puts us in a different place, but with all the different treatments out there, there is bound to be something that will work for you & keep you around for many years to come.
  - January 23, 2014 at 6:19 am
    
    Quote
    POW
    Participant
    
    That's the spirit, Megan! Yes, the recurrence is a downer. But somehow the uncertainty is harder to take than the certainty. Now that you know what you and Kevin are dealing with, you will do your research, get your ducks in a row, and kick melanoma's ass! As you say, you both have many more years to come.
  - January 23, 2014 at 6:19 am
    
    Quote
    POW
    Participant
    
    That's the spirit, Megan! Yes, the recurrence is a downer. But somehow the uncertainty is harder to take than the certainty. Now that you know what you and Kevin are dealing with, you will do your research, get your ducks in a row, and kick melanoma's ass! As you say, you both have many more years to come.
  - January 23, 2014 at 6:19 am
    
    Quote
    POW
    Participant
    
    That's the spirit, Megan! Yes, the recurrence is a downer. But somehow the uncertainty is harder to take than the certainty. Now that you know what you and Kevin are dealing with, you will do your research, get your ducks in a row, and kick melanoma's ass! As you say, you both have many more years to come.
  - January 22, 2014 at 11:53 pm
    
    Quote
    mwcollins
    Participant
    
    Knowing all the treatment options out there now, I know that we will get through it, Kevin! As we said about the big test that you couldn’t prepare for, we got a solid ‘C’. Yes it’s back, yes that puts us in a different place, but with all the different treatments out there, there is bound to be something that will work for you & keep you around for many years to come.
- - January 22, 2014 at 10:23 pm
  - Quote
  BrianP
  Participant
  Sorry about the news Kevin. I had about a foot of my small intestines taken out in May. I was dreading the surgery but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be and I have no after effects. Feel free to message me if you like. It sounds like you have a surgeon lined up but I will say if you have any doubts Dr. Tyler at Duke is outstanding.
  
  Brian
- - January 22, 2014 at 10:23 pm
  - Quote
  BrianP
  Participant
  Sorry about the news Kevin. I had about a foot of my small intestines taken out in May. I was dreading the surgery but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be and I have no after effects. Feel free to message me if you like. It sounds like you have a surgeon lined up but I will say if you have any doubts Dr. Tyler at Duke is outstanding.
  
  Brian
- - January 22, 2014 at 11:54 pm
  - Quote
  hbecker
  Participant
  Kevin, sorry to hear your news. Will be thinking of you Feb. 4 and sending healing vibes your way.
- - January 22, 2014 at 11:54 pm
  - Quote
  hbecker
  Participant
  Kevin, sorry to hear your news. Will be thinking of you Feb. 4 and sending healing vibes your way.
- - January 22, 2014 at 11:54 pm
  - Quote
  hbecker
  Participant
  Kevin, sorry to hear your news. Will be thinking of you Feb. 4 and sending healing vibes your way.
- - January 23, 2014 at 6:25 am
  - Quote
  POW
  Participant
  Oh, darn! Not the news you hoped to hear. But your PMA sounds strong and your wife is in the foxhole with you. You'll be OK.
  
  I'm glad that the lesion is small and can be surgically removed. Excellent! Go ahead and enjoy the Superbowl (who wants to watch the Superbowl if the '49ers aren't playing? Stupid officials!) and then go get that wayward tumor yanked out. Take THAT, Mr. Melanoma!!
- - January 23, 2014 at 6:25 am
  - Quote
  POW
  Participant
  Oh, darn! Not the news you hoped to hear. But your PMA sounds strong and your wife is in the foxhole with you. You'll be OK.
  
  I'm glad that the lesion is small and can be surgically removed. Excellent! Go ahead and enjoy the Superbowl (who wants to watch the Superbowl if the '49ers aren't playing? Stupid officials!) and then go get that wayward tumor yanked out. Take THAT, Mr. Melanoma!!
  - January 24, 2014 at 1:01 am
    
    Quote
    Maureen038
    Participant
    
    I'm sorry Kevin about your news, but I'm glad it can be surgically removed. Please keep us updated and I will keep you and your wife in my prayers.
    
    Maureen
  - January 24, 2014 at 1:01 am
    
    Quote
    Maureen038
    Participant
    
    I'm sorry Kevin about your news, but I'm glad it can be surgically removed. Please keep us updated and I will keep you and your wife in my prayers.
    
    Maureen
  - January 24, 2014 at 1:01 am
    
    Quote
    Maureen038
    Participant
    
    I'm sorry Kevin about your news, but I'm glad it can be surgically removed. Please keep us updated and I will keep you and your wife in my prayers.
    
    Maureen
- - January 23, 2014 at 6:25 am
  - Quote
  POW
  Participant
  Oh, darn! Not the news you hoped to hear. But your PMA sounds strong and your wife is in the foxhole with you. You'll be OK.
  
  I'm glad that the lesion is small and can be surgically removed. Excellent! Go ahead and enjoy the Superbowl (who wants to watch the Superbowl if the '49ers aren't playing? Stupid officials!) and then go get that wayward tumor yanked out. Take THAT, Mr. Melanoma!!
- - January 24, 2014 at 1:54 am
  - Quote
  Tina D
  Participant
  well, crud. Wish that was not the case. It is good news that there is an isolated met, like you said.There are others on the board who have had similar surgeries and done very well, as I'm sure you will!
  
  Hopefully you are cheering for Denver
  
  Tina
- - January 24, 2014 at 1:54 am
  - Quote
  Tina D
  Participant
  well, crud. Wish that was not the case. It is good news that there is an isolated met, like you said.There are others on the board who have had similar surgeries and done very well, as I'm sure you will!
  
  Hopefully you are cheering for Denver
  
  Tina
  - January 24, 2014 at 3:11 pm
    
    Quote
    kpcollins31
    Participant
    
    Yes I will be cheering for Denver :). I am not a Denver fan per se, but I have tremendous respect for Peyton Manning so I am hoping he gets that ring.
    
    Kevin
  - January 24, 2014 at 3:11 pm
    
    Quote
    kpcollins31
    Participant
    
    Yes I will be cheering for Denver :). I am not a Denver fan per se, but I have tremendous respect for Peyton Manning so I am hoping he gets that ring.
    
    Kevin
  - January 24, 2014 at 3:11 pm
    
    Quote
    kpcollins31
    Participant
    
    Yes I will be cheering for Denver :). I am not a Denver fan per se, but I have tremendous respect for Peyton Manning so I am hoping he gets that ring.
    
    Kevin
  - January 24, 2014 at 6:29 pm
    
    Quote
    Tina D
    Participant
    
    Yes, yes… me, too. We are in Indiana and have grown to just really like and respect Peyton Manning! I am a Fins fan first, and like the Colts… but cheer for Denver because of Manning 🙂
    
    Tina
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:19 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Good wishes times 2!!!!
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:19 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Good wishes times 2!!!!
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:19 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Good wishes times 2!!!!
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 25, 2014 at 12:17 pm
    
    Quote
    tschmith
    Participant
    
    Sorry to hear this news, Kevin but glad it can be surgically removed and that nothing else has shown up. Stay strong! We can beat this!
    
    Terrie
  - January 24, 2014 at 6:29 pm
    
    Quote
    Tina D
    Participant
    
    Yes, yes… me, too. We are in Indiana and have grown to just really like and respect Peyton Manning! I am a Fins fan first, and like the Colts… but cheer for Denver because of Manning 🙂
    
    Tina
  - January 24, 2014 at 6:29 pm
    
    Quote
    Tina D
    Participant
    
    Yes, yes… me, too. We are in Indiana and have grown to just really like and respect Peyton Manning! I am a Fins fan first, and like the Colts… but cheer for Denver because of Manning 🙂
    
    Tina
- - January 24, 2014 at 1:54 am
  - Quote
  Tina D
  Participant
  well, crud. Wish that was not the case. It is good news that there is an isolated met, like you said.There are others on the board who have had similar surgeries and done very well, as I'm sure you will!
  
  Hopefully you are cheering for Denver
  
  Tina