Follow up

Dr. K called this morning. We discussed the left hilar lymphadenopathy in my left lung, which she described as a collection of lymph nodes. She explained that the increase in size could be due to an infection or inflamation (although if one has metastatic disease, malignancy is always the first assumption), and that the reason the radiologists did not mention it prior could be because they don't report on it until it reaches a certain size (perhaps greater than 2 cm). She said that these "surprises" appear on radiology reports from all facilities, including from Memorial Sloan-Kettering's in-house radiology department, and that is why she is now reading my scans herself.

As far as potential lung surgery, she is unsure what Dr. Flores will choose to do at this point. She will discuss my case with him before I see him on August 5 and then talk with him again after my appointment. Where after my April scans she seemed confident that he would suggest surgery, she now seems less certain. We won't know anything more until the 5th. She also mentioned that should he choose to do surgery, I'll have to have a PET scan first and that will show which of the lung nodules may be tumors and whether the lymphadenopathy is malignant as well.

In the meantime, I am to continue on Gemzar, and my next treatment is the 30th. We will try to remain patient and positive until the 5th.

Thank you for your notes and e-mails. They make a tough situation a little easier to bear.