Not a good PET scan!!! Cancer has spread to sacrum

Posted by loulou2023 @loulou2023, Aug 30 12:51pm

I have squamous lung cancer. I have already undergone radiation and chemotherapy in 2024 .
following that I got pneumonia, collapse lung, c diff, sepsis and a fib. somehow, I survived all that . I have been recovering from all of that since May .I had a pet scan done yesterday. The results are very upsetting the cancer in my hilar region has grown and new areas of concern are shown in my other lung. The big concern is I had an area in my sacrum, part of your spine,that was very concerning for metastasizing. my question is where do you say enough is enough as far as treatment goes?
I had lung cancer for the first time in 2014 and had a upper left lobectomy .Everything was fine until three years ago when they found another area of cancer in my right upper lung . I had radiation and chemo and immunotherapy done on that, but it returned in another area of of my bronchial intermedius. I had chemo and radiation done in 2024 again.
I am very proud of myself. I have thought a good fight, but I think it may be time to just enjoy the time I have left

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denzie | @denzie | Aug 30 1:41pm

When my time comes, I hope that I can be as open, honest, and gracious as you are in posting this. You ask a question that only you can answer. You are the only one who can define what quality of life means for you.

frouke | @frouke | Aug 30 2:13pm

I feel such anxiety when reading your post, I too am a lung cancer survivor twice now and recently my ct scan is showing a nodule in the right upper lung that’s starting to change. I admire your courage and strength to fight a very tough battle with this disease and you live to talk about it, that takes a strength that I don’t have anymore, I’m now 74 years old and very tired from the last five years, I truly believe that I will not survive these treatments, I’ve had two surgeries but no chemo or radiation and I never got my strength back anymore. I agree that it’s a decision only we can make because we’re going through this and every case is different, I hope that you find peace with your decision and I know that God is with you guiding you through this, good wishes, amen.🙏

loulou2023 | @loulou2023 | Aug 31 10:53am

In reply to @frouke "I feel such anxiety when reading your post, I too am a lung cancer survivor twice..." + (show)

I am so sorry I caused you anxiety!!!

frouke | @frouke | Aug 31 12:10pm

In reply to @loulou2023 "I am so sorry I caused you anxiety!!!" + (show)

No please don’t feel like that, I’m a very empathetic person and I just sense things, I also relate to you and what you’re doing, I wish you all the very best and pray for you to find peace in your life.

loulou2023 | @loulou2023 | Aug 31 1:25pm

Something we all need to remember….healing may not come in this life but it is definitely in the next life.
I pray you find peace and joy in your life as well

mamajite | @mamajite | Sep 1 1:42pm

hi loulou, I'm sorry you've had such difficult year. I've had a collapsed lung and pneumonia, but not sequentially. And those were not fun! I can only imagine the toll all of that has taken on you. (hugs) for me, I think there's a point where the benefits of treatment are marginal and the negative effects are too many. that said, I just flew across the country to see a new specialist that is proposing a different line of treatment for me. so I believe it's worth seeing the best doctor you can and basing your decisions on that information. 🙏🏻

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 1 3:44pm

@loulou2023, You've been through so much. I'm sure you are just tired of it all. It can be deflating to get this type of news, and you've had your share. Don't make any rash decisions. I always think to myself, if you're not in the emergency room, you have some time to gather info and make decisions that are right for you. You've been through this enough times to know that you can take a little time. Obviously with the spread to the sacrum, you need to be very cautious. You don't ever want to fall, but especially now. I can respect you looking at all of your options including the option of holding treatment. I hope I'm able to recognize when the time is right for that for myself. I'm sure it's difficult. Do you have a doctor that can help you weigh the options, different treatments or non-treatment?

loulou2023 | @loulou2023 | Sep 1 5:49pm

Thanks everyone for the support!
I go to Emory Winship Cancer. I haven’t spoke to my doctor yet about this latest scan. Hopefully they can help guide me to the best decision for me. curative is off the table …

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 2 days ago

@loulou2023, Thinking of you, and wondering if you have any more info on your latest CT scan? Have your docs confirmed that it is cancer? Hugs.

loulou2023 | @loulou2023 | 2 days ago

Hey Lisa. Thanks for checking on me!
I have radiation scheduled started 9/29 for my sacrum. The doctor wanted to do 10 sessions but I only agreed to 5. Hopefully that will prevent the pain from becoming worse.
My oncologist wants me to immunotherapy, opdivo and yervoy. I haven’t reached a decision on that yet.
I am just thankful for living 68 years as others are not so fortunate!!!