Hey all,
Haven't been on in ages. So mom's last CT was concerning as new lung nodules have grown (she is a lung cancer survivor). They have been monitoring this new one and the radiation oncologist sounded pretty concerned after this last CT. Biopsy was recommended but mom is now 81, terribly anxious, severe past medical trauma and prone to complications. Like a collapsed lung when she got her port put in, another pneumothorax later on etc. She does not want a biopsy.
She has elected to do SBRT radiation, or short course (5 days). She has her positioning appointment next week.
Has anyone here or their loved ones "treated" a suspect growth in this way? And how did it work out? She tolerated her last course of radiation very well four years ago. But a lot has changed since then.
Immunotherapy is truly a beast, and chemo is not far behind. Radiation for a short period is the lesser of the evils, certainly, but weakens the body too. With moms history of lung cancer however, it seems prudent to do SOMETHING here.
Doctors refuse to give too much advice, God forbid, they might be sued.
Best of luck.
So we know a biopsy is out, surgery is definitely out, chemo or immunotherapy infusions are out (too long sitting outside of the house and too tiring). She has stated she'd like to get a few more years to see her great granddaughter start school (she's 2 and a half). I think if she weren't here mom just might let whatever happens take its course, but if she can get some more time in the least invasive way this seems to be the best route. So we will see how it goes. Hospice is not in play, she's still mobile with a walker, showers on her own with a shower seat, we go to lectures and book club at the senior center a couple times a month. We go visit the little one a few towns over every other week. She reads. The anxiety is a beast, some days worse than others. But anyway thanks for the suggestions and comments.