Cody’s CT scan does confirm what we saw on the chest x-ray, but provides much greater detail: specifically, there’s been a significant amount of tumor growth in the right lung over the past month (things that were there have enlarged and new tumors that weren’t there have appeared), but more significantly there is now a “moderate” sized fluid collection (called an effusion) between the lining of the lung (the pleura) and the lung. This is probably why he has been having discomfort when he lays down. It is not yet significant enough to cause him to be short of breath though he might experience discomfort with deep breaths. He should continue to do whatever he feels well enough to do. I would not place restrictions on him simply because of these findings.
If the pazopanib (the new chemo) works as we hope it will, this fluid collection should go away on its own over the next week or two or three. If the pazopanib does not help, I fear that he will develop worsening breathing symptoms over the course of the next 2-4 weeks and that we might need to do a procedure to remove some of the fluid to temporarily alleviate his symptoms.
I thought I would be ok with any new findings. Well, I was not. I planned to come home at lunch to tell him. He is a very strong young man. His response to me was : "Mom, we will get through this." He saw my tears and I think he sensed my worry and fear.
We did start the new chemo today and Cody took the day to relax. He did get out in the rainy, windy weather to watch the last home game for his high school soccer team. His coaches, Carcone and Choilfi are amazing. They let him out on the field with the team and he beams. He looks up to these two coaches and they are so good and supportive with him. I stayed and sat in the car. It breaks my heart to see him there, knowing he cannot play. He took a pain pill for the biopsy pain and did manage to kick the ball a little while the team was warming up.
Just booked Casey's ticket for Thanksgiving. It will be nice to have him here and with my brother and nephews. Lots of testosterone in the house, oh boy!
Thank you all for today…there are no words…xoxoxoxo
I am so very sorry that you are all going through this yet again. It sounds as though there is a treatment plan in place and that your doctor feels that alternatives exist to help Cody. I wish you were not facing this and will continue to hope and send good healing thoughts Cody's way.
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Diane
Always love (and feel) your support and positive thoughts…xoxoxo
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