The Day After Chemotheraphy

25th day from the date of diagnosis of a lung tumor .

It was the neighbourhood GP who suggested for a X-Ray . He didn't reveal his suspicion about it when he see the film . Instead he scheduled another scanning at Mt Alvernia.

History : Diabettic, Hypertenion, Ex-smoker complains 2 mths of coughing & breathlessness

8th Mar 2007 CT Scan was performed & its report said : A diffuse mass sited mainly in the upper lobe approx 5.6 X 7.2 x 5.6 cm in size .

Comments : The opacity seen in the CXR corresponds to a large central tumor in the left upper lobe with extensive nodal involvement. Extra-nodal disease in the left lower deep cervical nodes associated. No adrenal mass seen. Gallstone detected.

In Greek they called "Cancer" which symbolise the shape of a crab with legs stretching outwards.

Decision was made : To biopsy the cervical node under ultrasound guidance as this was the safest, w/o the risk of collasping the lung . 2 passes were taken for further examination & confirmation.

2 days later the diagnosis : Both smears show a high cells yield of tumor cells and small lymphocytes. The tumour cells have small nuclei, fine chromatin & scanty cytoplasm. They show nuclear moulding . METASTATIC CARCINOMA suggestive of SMALL CELL CARCINOMA.

For Staging : The doc suggested to perform another CT scan on the head . Nothing detected . They had not gone upwards to the head . Nether they had moved downwards to other organs.

20th Mar 2007 @ NCC : Staging & theraphy planning session . Chemotheraphy & radiotheraphy were suggested to be used his the main treatment. 3 days of 6 hour Chemo followed by 3 wks later radiotheraphy. Complete of 6 sessions required .

21st Mar admitted to SGH.

22nd Mar begin the first Chemo session ..