First Test Results

Hello sweet sistas!

We finally have some news to report today, but only because I just camped us outside our clinic and refused to "go home" until someone did something!

Butch had a CT scan last night and a full body bone scan this morning. He was in terrible pain, and has been for several weeks, so after the bone scan I took us upstairs to the Genitourinary Clinic and INSISTED that we see someone for pain management. Thank goodness I did, or we would still be sitting here waiting for help/news.

Turns out, we got to see Dr. Tu again this morning (and we were not scheduled to see him again until Thursday), and he already had the test results, so we jumped ahead by a couple of days.

The tumor in Butch's spine is not presenting as a typical metastasized prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does like bone and does often go to the spine, but the images of Butch's tumor do not look like prostate cancer to Dr. Tu. Also Butch's PSA numbers are still quite low and if it is a return of the prostate cancer, they should be high. The tumor could still be prostate, just a particularly aggressive or unusual type, or it could be something else, perhaps myeloma. Dr. Tu also saw signs of further bone cancer in one of Butch's pelvic bones, one of his ribs and maybe even his shoulder. He also saw some small nodules in Butch's lungs. So he has ordered a bone biopsy to determine exactly what type of cancer this tumor is.

Depending on what the biopsy shows, we may be staying with Dr. Tu in GU (prostate cancer), or we may be changing to a different area and a new doctor. The biopsy has not been scheduled yet. We are waiting to hear back on that procedure.

In the meantime, we did finally get in to see Dr. Huh in pain management! It has been weeks since Butch has felt even halfway well, and the past few weeks the pain has been increasingly severe. None of the pain pills or pain patches have helped to any great extent. Dr. Huh has prescribed methadone for pain management. We were a little surprised by that, but Dr. Huh said that the methadone would stop the pain if Butch takes it on a regular and consistent schedule (same times every day). We pray that this is so!

So we are in "wait and see" mode, but at least some action is being taken now. Butch is ready to find out what exactly is wrong and then formulate a plan to fight it. He is in fairly good spirits, just exhausted and worn out from the pain. Hopefully the pain will get much easier to bear now and he will be able to rest and gather his strength and will to fight again.

We love reading your encouraging notes, texts, emails, and FB posts! They mean so much! Thank you all. Please pray that the doctors can quickly identify the type of cancer he has and that they can form a treatment plan to combat it. I will post again as soon as there is any news.

Love you all!

Hi Vickie...I am so happy to see this post!!

Thank goodness you are assertive and aggressive when need be. Good for you!!!  At least you know where it has all formed. I pray they start getting things going to blast it away soon!!  Still praying and will continue until this is all behind Butch and you!!

I am so glad that you got Butch stronger pain medications. Set your phone alarms and remind him to take those pills on time. He needs all the relief he can get!!! 

Thanks for getting this to us right away. We have all been worrying!

Love you...HUGE HUGS....connie d

Oh vickie at keast u r getting some pain control and answers! Im thinking of u and Butch everyday!

Carla

Sweet Vickie,

I am so glad you insisted on getting Butch some help with the pain.  I have heard from others that cancer in the bones is extremely painful.  I hope that the methadone helps Butch, and that he takes it the way the doctor told him to.

You can count on my prayers.

Hugs and love,

Trish

Vicki, 

I am glad you were able to get some foward movement toward a more definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. Also, relieved you got to the pain management doctors. 

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. 

Blessings 

Praise the LORD!!!!!!!!! I am glad that you finally got somewhere!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Now hopefully this will help Butch FAST!!!!!! And he will get some answers FAST also!!!! I am PROUD of you Vic!!!! You are woman hear you ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am with you and so are the rest of us!!! Many many Prayers for Butch and You!!!! Hang tough dear one!!! Better days ARE coming!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Hello Vickie: am relieved you finally posted here as I am not on FaceBook.

Wishing you strength and fortitude, although you seem to have both "in spades", but I know you are drawing on deep internal resources as you share Butch's pain and journey, dont run yourself ragged as Butch needs you to get your rest and eat properly to keep up your energy.

 Remember when I was down on energy while looking after my hospitalized yet again Dad, and said to one of the hospital doctors (who knew as only child I was sole caregiver for my widowed father) that I had trouble sleeping...he gave me scrip for ten Ativan for ten nights....it helped, so doctors are not always unfeeling!

Wishing you kind caring doctors , please keep posting here so all of us can follow.

Hugs to you and Butch

Jennifer 

Jennifer....Vickie posted on Facebook.....they went to the ER and Butch was admitted. He had severe shoulder and back pain. Something popped in his shoulder. The pain was horrible. They have him heavily medicated now. He was finally free from pain.

I will update you on her Facebook posts. If you want.

Have you checked out his Care Pages site....go to PoeProgress. Most all posts are on there.

Hugs and love....connie d

Thanks Connie, will check.  Poor Butch! 

Jennifer,  if you give me your email I will add you to the notification list on carepages.