Thanks to all for the supportive messages.
I received a call from the oncologist at 9 this morning. I really
appreciated his prompt response. Unfortunately, the call didn't go so
well. He does not think that post-surgical chemotherapy has any
realistic chance of improving my survival. He is a humble and very
knowledgeable man who has received many professional awards and I respect
his opinion. But I am not satisfied with the answers. He said he would be
willing to look into immunotherapy or biological therapy trials. My hour
with the PDQ did not find anything I would qualify for besides chemo until
a reoccurence occurs.
On the issue of PET or CAT scans, instead of x-rays for my follow-up, he
also was not very encouraging. He doesn't think the scans are warranted
because unless a metastatic lesion is found in a place it could be
surgically removed in my remaining lung, the only things they could do for
me are chemotherapy, etc. He feels that CAT and PET scans give a lot of
false positives and that this does more harm then good. I told him I still
believe that the sooner I know about something, the better I can fight it.
I guess I need to make a decision about a third or fourth opinion. Would
those of you receiving or who were offered post-surgical chemo let me know
who your Drs are and where they are from? Thanks a bunch.
Tracy
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