1. < Cancer

upset caregiver: what do these results mean?

Posted by scared2 @scared2, Aug 4, 2021

My spouse was diagnosed with Throat cancer 2 years ago. Since then has been Cancer free, hasn't missed any of the post check ups. Had a ct scan a week and it came back with a small nodule in the lungs. Has a pt scan and cant get the results for another 10 days. I saw the results......"impressions" 1.5 cm spiculated nodule upper lobe intensely hypermetabolic consistent with pulmanary metastines.

2. a smaller 5mm nodule along right major fissure also suspicious.

3.Mild activity w\a nonenlarged mediastinal node and both hilar regions nonspecific-maybe reactive vs metastic.

3.Hypermetabolic activity is noted in a testicle. More testing is needed.

4.hypermetmetabolic activity associated with peribronical vascular ground glass opacification which is likely inflammatory or infectious. No hypermetabolic activity in the throat.
Is this good or bad news?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 2, 2021
In reply to @scared2 "No, I haven't talked to any one. Didnt know any were available" + (show)
@scared2

No, I haven't talked to any one. Didnt know any were available

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Scared, you might be interested in taking part in one or both of these monthly virtual support group run by oncology social workers at Mayo Clinic. They are free and all are welcome, whether your husband is a patient at Mayo or not.

Head and Neck Cancer Support Group
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/head-and-neck-cancer-support-group-6-104/
Held the first Thursday of every month at 5 pm MT (6pm CT, 7pm ET)
The next meeting is tonight Sept 2.

Caring for the Caregiver Support Group
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/caring-for-the-caregiver-support-group-105/
2nd & 4th Thursday every month at 12pm MT (1pm CT, 2pm ET)
The next meetings are Sept 9 and 23

REPLY
scared2 | @scared2 | Sep 3, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@scared2- Oh, I know this feeling! I heard a phrase the other night that I felt..." + (show)
@merpreb

@scared2- Oh, I know this feeling! I heard a phrase the other night that I felt really described how I felt when your life or a loved one's is in peril: You stop pretending or dreaming that your life is one way and then bam, you can't pretend anymore. Everything seems like it's at a standstill until that next test result, the next scan the next blood test. It exasperates all your fears- But there is hope for good results.

I can only tell you what my husband did when he felt overwhelmed with fear. He would look for me and hugged me as hard as he could without hurting me and he cried. I let him and sometimes I'd cry too. It was always such a great energy release and helped unclog those awful feelings, until the next time.

I felt that it was such a gift that he could show me this much love. My Dave is also the love of my life. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary and also learned this year that there is a good chance that he has some form of lung cancer, with 3-month scans.

There is no law that says that being strong for someone is a part of cancer. Cancer makes people fearful, makes people sad and angry. I find that strength comes from love and it seems like you have that covered!

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I'm concerned about his being so tired. Hes been like this since we saw the lung specialist. I also remember he did this two years ago. When he had cancer.

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 3, 2021
In reply to @scared2 "I'm concerned about his being so tired. Hes been like this since we saw the lung..." + (show)
@scared2

I'm concerned about his being so tired. Hes been like this since we saw the lung specialist. I also remember he did this two years ago. When he had cancer.

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@scared2- Cancer makes people tired. It takes a lot out of a person's energy reserve and cancer uses your body’s nutrients to grow and advance, so those nutrients are no longer replenishing your body. This “nutrient theft” can make you feel extremely tired. This fatigue is much different than not getting enough sleep. If he has felt more fatigued after his doctor's appointments could it be psychological? Does his energy return after a while?

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scared2 | @scared2 | Sep 3, 2021

He still seems kinda tired after he's rested. Last night he went to bed at 830pm, its 9am and still asleep. Tried to get him up awhile as go. didnt work. He has told me he tires out during the day also.

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2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 3, 2021
In reply to @scared2 "He still seems kinda tired after he's rested. Last night he went to bed at 830pm,..." + (show)
@scared2

He still seems kinda tired after he's rested. Last night he went to bed at 830pm, its 9am and still asleep. Tried to get him up awhile as go. didnt work. He has told me he tires out during the day also.

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@scared2- Although he needs to eat and drink I slept a lot too. His body needs to conserve energy. I'm sorry that what I said was confusing. Have you both talked about the possibility of cutting his work hours, if possible?

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2 replies
scared2 | @scared2 | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@scared2- Although he needs to eat and drink I slept a lot too. His body needs..." + (show)
@merpreb

@scared2- Although he needs to eat and drink I slept a lot too. His body needs to conserve energy. I'm sorry that what I said was confusing. Have you both talked about the possibility of cutting his work hours, if possible?

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Yes, I have tried to get aWake. Hes been doing that now for 3 days.
Now he's taking a afternoon nap
After 12 hours.

REPLY
jldavis823 | @jldavis823 | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @scared2 "He still seems kinda tired after he's rested. Last night he went to bed at 830pm,..." + (show)
@scared2

He still seems kinda tired after he's rested. Last night he went to bed at 830pm, its 9am and still asleep. Tried to get him up awhile as go. didnt work. He has told me he tires out during the day also.

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It took two years after I finished treatment for me to need less than 12 hours per night. I also frequently needed naps as well. Let his body guide him.

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1 reply
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @jldavis823 "It took two years after I finished treatment for me to need less than 12 hours..." + (show)
@jldavis823

It took two years after I finished treatment for me to need less than 12 hours per night. I also frequently needed naps as well. Let his body guide him.

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I agree, @jldavis823 My wife's sleep needs varied greatly as she fought her cancer. She used to say she needed to give her body permission to do what IT knew was best for itself. Especially with a chronic or new disease, I believe every one of our systems needs to adjust to the new reality.

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 5, 2021
In reply to @IndianaScott "I agree, @jldavis823 My wife's sleep needs varied greatly as she fought her cancer. She used..." + (show)
@IndianaScott

I agree, @jldavis823 My wife's sleep needs varied greatly as she fought her cancer. She used to say she needed to give her body permission to do what IT knew was best for itself. Especially with a chronic or new disease, I believe every one of our systems needs to adjust to the new reality.

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Scott, you are right.

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scared2 | @scared2 | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@scared2- Although he needs to eat and drink I slept a lot too. His body needs..." + (show)
@merpreb

@scared2- Although he needs to eat and drink I slept a lot too. His body needs to conserve energy. I'm sorry that what I said was confusing. Have you both talked about the possibility of cutting his work hours, if possible?

Jump to this post

The ac unit in his truck isn't working, so he's been home for almost two weeks.

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