....it's all good....

first of all, as mentioned earlier, it's confusing.. even contradictory.
so, let's take it as indicative rather than conclusive. opinions are based on expert findings and intrepretation, so, we take it as it is for now k?

here is a summary of my current status based on PET scan report and discussion with my physician.

(1) the old bits.
PET Scan done in March 2009, they dictated metastasis at my paratracheal nodes, pleural nodules, precarinal lymphnodes, mediastinum.
current scan result shows all the above has been RESOLVED or relatively DIMINISHED in size and FDG avidity, probably responding to treatment.

my physician asked whether i'm on any medical treatment for the past 6-7 months. well, IRESSA is yet to take effect and definitely cannot yield this kind of response within a week.
so, i guess whatever i'm doing in the past 6 months, something is working.
i have it at my lympnodes, one near my neck..it could easily gone up to my brain but it's under control.. resolved and diminishing. yay?!!

(2) the lung bits
when they took an x-ray, 3/4 of my right lung was in white opaque. i'm left with less than a quarter of clear airways. although they didn't rule out infection (i have no fever) but it's a very sad case as my doc said to me,
"lisa, this is really bad. possibly you might have infection as well although there is no fever, so, we gonna put you on antibiotic immediately but this look like your lung are filled up with tumours."
it look beyond doom and gloom at that time. it's so impossible to save myself with this kind of condition. but all i want for him to do at that time... i'm very sick. please make me feel better.

the scan conclusion (as extracted exactly):
the pulmonary infiltrates in the lower zone (the upper zone has cleared, i guess) of the right lung displaying mild FDG avidity are LIKELY to reprsesent an infective process. Please correlate clinically.

i read that para again and again. they didn't conclude it's tumours, hypermetabolic activity, metastasis, whatever ... they didn't conclude it's cancer cells (prolly because of the mild FDG avidity). they think it's more likely infection. OMgawd! OMgawd!
however, my physician is not convinced. he think it's partly infection but based on the x-ray, he also think those are tumours too. everyone are entitle to their opinions based on experience and expectise. let's leave it as it is now. if it's infection, it will clear. if it's not, then it's something else. time will tell. anyway, i''m already on treatment.

yay still??!!

(3) the not-so-good bits
unfortunately, it has spread to my bones with metastatic bony lesions in the T1, T2 & T7 vertebrae and right 2nd rib. i guess this causes the back pain.

it's confusing cause it's regressing (resolving and diminishing) and progressing (advancing) at the same time.
well, if you ask me, i think it's better than worst. i know, cancer is still cancer, stage 4 is still stage 4 but initially, i felt like i need to move Mount Himalaya to bloody save myself and based on the report, that challenge has scaled down tremendously. i would rather deal with the bones than then lung. trust me, it's easier to treat the bones if needed.

i think i can handle this.... so long i'm still breathing :) so, yay??!

note: appointment with my onco next Wed. further discussion on this.