Notes from Papa's first visit with Dr.Almirall 11/6/12

Welcome Everyone!
    
     I know that this first entry is plain and mostly facts, but I wanted to get something up for you all as soon as possible. I will continue to enter the information and appointments that Papa has already had and hopefully have new information to share soon. Please feel free to leave stories, comments, questions, or any information that you might have, too! Love you all.

     Papa went for his yearly physical with his primary care provider, Dr. Peter D.Almirall. Dr.Almirall noticed that Papa has had a significant weight loss and decreased appetite. He immediately schedule a CT scan. A CT (Computed Tomography) Scan is a radiological study that uses series of x-rays to show cross-sectional slices of the body. It can be done for the entire body, or for one specific organ. The CT scan uses shadowing to show bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels. It can also show masses, aneurysms, and blockages by using contrast dye, but the images are black and white; similar to what you would see on a x-ray. Papa had the CT scan performed on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 at Dosher out patient center on Beach Road. Upon reviewing the scan, Dr.Almirall immediately called Papa back and asked him to come to his office and bring a family member. Needless to say we were all concerned and worried what the findings would be.

     Suzanne and Jennifer took Papa back to Dr.Almirall's office and this is their account of what he said:  Cancerous lesions were found in the right lung and the liver. The cancer is most probably lung cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Because the cancer has spread out of it's primary site (the lungs), it is automatically classified as Stage IV Lung Cancer. The two most common types of lung cancer are Small Cell (which accounts for 20% of lung CA and is very fast growing) and Non-Small Cell (80% of lung CA, has four sub-categories, slower growing). The cancer is possibly treatable, but not curable. Common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection. Other common sites of metastasis with this diagnosis are the bones and brain. More in-depth studies are needed to check Papa's bones and brain for "mets" or cells that have travelled from the lungs and formed lesions or masses. They will schedule an MRI of the brain and a nuclear bone scan as soon as possible. The plan is to do a needle biopsy of his liver instead of his lung as this is a much less invasive procedure that can be done under light sedation. Then Papa will need to meet with an oncologist to determine his prognosis and course of action.

     Papa's dear friend was treated by a local oncologist, Dr.William McNulty, and he is requesting to follow-up with him. I have contacted Dr.McNulty's office and spoken to him personally. He would love to treat Papa and will fit him in immediately after his liver biopsy is completed.


So far Papa's care team includes:

Dr. Peter D. Almirall
Wilmington Health Family Medicine-Oak Island
8715 East Oak Island Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465
910-278-3316
910-202-0028

Dr.William McNulty
Cape Fear Cancer Specialists
1520 Physicians Drive
Building O
Wilmington, NC 28401
(Also have Waterford/Leland office)
910-343-0447
Nurse; Faye

Check out these helpful sites for some basic information about Lung Cancer:
http://www.lungcancer.org/reading/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lung-cancer/DS00038