Okay, backstory for this is that my mother has, for a little while, a few months, had these spots on her lungs. Nobody could tell us what they were, but they didn't seem life threatening, so nobody was worrying about them. Anxious, hell yeah, but not overly worried. But yesterday she went in for a CT biopsy -- that's where they take a biopsy while running a CT scan at the same time, mostly to help guide the needle. The radiologist came down to talk to her afterwards, and we all became increasingly sure of what was the next piece of news we'd receive.

So today we had a meeting with a doctor, and he said that the preliminary results from the biopsy (which is all we have, the full results aren't gonna be done 'til Monday) show that it's lung cancer. Three small masses, two on her left lung, one on her right. Whoop dee ****ing dee. This meeting was at 1:30. From 1:30 to 5:00, we had meetings and tests and new doctors to meet. Our friends are two of the worlds leading doctors in their fields, one being a neurologist, I don't know the other. So then being cream of the crop, they associate with the cream of the crop (also thankfully located at Cedairs Sinai), and we got the executive treatment. What would normally have taken weeks to just initiate, we have already done, and all the tests will be done by Dec. 24th, with a following meeting on the 26th to determine treatment.

The really bad part is that three small masses are not indicative of the lungs being the primary cancer site, but we don't know what is. It's not lungs, liver, stomach, or kidneys, but beyond that we don't know.

So now we wait.

And just to head off any thoughts that my mother is going to die, she's not. This is caught very very early, like before it became a problem, and before it showed up on the bloodwork (REALLY early). So, send all your good energies her way, if you've got 'em to spare.

Fack.

Sorry to hear that mate. ****. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dee-Ann.

I'm not going to say "I'm sorry" because I know you hate that. So, best wishes to your family and especially your mom. I ALWAYS have good energy to send, and it's going her way.

*sending positive vibes*

Today (Monday) at 1:30 she has her first test. Tuesday she's got the rest of them, and then on Thursday we meet with the doctor again. I'll post updates periodically on this whole deal...

Many wishes for a quick recovery for your mom and for you to handle the hard times ok. Sorry to hear she has these problems. My mom just had cancer removed from her face, and it runs in the family here on my side. I hope everything goes great for your family and that recovery is quick and as pain free as possible.

Zach,

Our wishes full a full and speedy recovery as well. I kind of wish that they could have worked a little better around xmas, though. This is a lot of stress for all of you.

If you need me, you know how to reach me.

Alex

It's funny, y'know? As a kid, did you ever have those talks about what runs in your family? I did. My friends and I were comparing, y'know, the "Well brain tumors, skin cancer, colon polyps..." blah blah blah. It's weird, tho, that conversation was all about things that we were likely to get. It never occurred to me that my mother could get it too.

Life is strange...

I'm here if you ever want someone to vent to...and I'll send some positive vibes her way.

Hopefully they are benign. *sends positive vibes*

Okay, here's what we know so far: it's not a brain tumor that started all this.

I'll know more Friday, hopefully.

*positive vibes from me to you & yours*

Okay, my mother has lymphoma (sp?).

Strange as this sounds, it's good. We knew she had cancer, so we actually wanted to hear that they found it.

The good thing about lymphoma, from what I'm told, is that it "moves at the right pace for the chemical treatment," and the doctor said it's not only "treatable" but it's CURABLE. He said "CURE" not just treat. This is good.

Now maybe my father can relax and get rid of this damned migraine.

Originally posted by Stage Monster
Okay, my mother has lymphoma (sp?).

Strange as this sounds, it's good. We knew she had cancer, so we actually wanted to hear that they found it.

The good thing about lymphoma, from what I'm told, is that it "moves at the right pace for the chemical treatment," and the doctor said it's not only "treatable" but it's CURABLE. He said "CURE" not just treat. This is good.

Now maybe my father can relax and get rid of this damned migraine.

I'm so glad you got good news, maybe the best possible under the circumstances. My warm thoughts and best wishes to you and your parents. Have faith, it sounds like everything will be ok.

j.r.

I send you my positive vibes as well. *hug* Call me up if you wanna vent, chat, or just hang out. You're always there for me, I want to return the favor.

kamikazekitty

ALL RIGHT!!!!!!! GREAT NEWS!!!!

Just be prepared, Chemo sucks big time. She's going to be sick, and have a lot of side effects. BUT, once the chemo is over, she'll go back to normal. The hair will grow back, etc...

BE supportive. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thanks. Wednesday she goes in for surgery. She has a total of 17 different spots on her lungs, three of considerable size, they're going to go in thru her ribs, cut one of the masses off her lung and test it to figure out exactly what kind of cancer it is and how to treat it. She's going to be in the hospital pretty much all week this week.

:(

:( I hope all goes well.

*Sends love and good vibes*