Anticipation

Today I find out the results of my CT scan from taking the Tarceva. I am nervous and a little scared but I am trying not to show it. Dustin surprised me and came down from Michigan this morning to be with me. My mom and dad are going up again and so is Jami.

I love going to U of C because I do my blood work in the morning and then my CT scan and then I meet with my oncologist after the test results are in that same day. It’s a long day but it is so nice not having to wait and wonder what the test results are. They are also great about getting me the info as quickly as possible when I am waiting in the exam room. I never feel rushed and I can ask as many questions as I like without feeling hurried. I recommend this hospital to anyone that has to go through anything like this. I found out I only have to come back monthly instead of weekly now. Yahoo!!

The test results are in and the mass shrunk 87% in volume. I went from a mass the size of 3.5 x 2.8 cm down to 1.2 x 1.1 cm. I think everyone had tears of joy today, including a tear or two from me as well. The room was filled with the oncology team and hugs were given all around. I just sat back on the exam table and said a prayer thanking God for granting me the miracle of life and for my family. Dr. Vokes said this is great news and they all seemed very excited about the diagnosis and the reduction in the mass. The official findings were as follows:

CT INFUSED CHEST - Details

Study Result

Narrative

CT CHEST W 12/28/2016 10:46 AM 
CLINICAL INFORMATION: 52-year-old man with history of lung cancer.
TECHNIQUE: Contrast enhanced chest CT. 90 mL of Omnipaque 350 contrast material were
administered intravenously. Multiplanar reconstructions, including MIP, MINIP and Slab
images were reviewed.
COMPARISON: 8/8/2016
FINDINGS: 
LUNGS AND PLEURA: Marked decrease in size of dominant lobulated left upper lobe nodule
compared to previous study.
MEDIASTINUM AND HILA: No significant lymphadenopathy.
CORONARY ARTERY CALCIFICATION: Mild.
CHEST WALL: No significant abnormality noted.
UPPER ABDOMEN: Absence of enteric contrast material limits sensitivity for abdominal
pathology. 
Splenic and renal hypodensities, unchanged.
INDEX LESION MEASUREMENTS (Current exam date/time: 12/28/2016 10:26:35)
LEFT UPPER LOBE LESION: 1.2 x 1.1 cm (Image 45, Series 3); 3.5 x 2.8 cm on prior
(8/8/2016) (Image 40, Series 3).
IMPRESSION: Marked decrease in size of dominant lobulated left upper lobe nodule compared
to previous study.