Cancer-Biology 101

[fictional]

Yesterday, we went to the doctor for the results of the latest PET/CT scan. And the news was what the doctor called "mixed" and I call "sucktastic".

Doctor: (examines my dad much closer than usual) So, do you have any new pain? Any coughing? Any anything?
Kali's Dad: No...?
Doctor: No? Really? ...Really? Hmm. Are you sure?

(Kali & Kali's dad exchange glances, which basically indicate, oh god, this can't be good.)

Doctor: Well. Hmm. The news is... mixed.
Kali's dad: Hit me.
Doctor: So. Basically the tumor is smaller. A little. Well, the one in the lung's upper lobe anyway.
Kali's dad: ...
Doctor: Which means the chemo's killing it. A little. But more importantly, the cancer is more metabolically active. Than before. So basically, it's smaller, but it's getting ready to replicate like crazy. And in the lymph, while the mass is smaller, it's more, um, spread out. Which isn't a good sign.
Kali (silently): No I'd call that a fucking bad sign.
Kali's dad: Right...?
Doctor: So, the chemo's not working, and it's killing your kidneys, so we're gonna stop it.
Kali's dad: Okay...?
Doctor: Instead we're going to go with our second line defence, which is a drug called Tarceva. Chemo had 40% chance of working. This has a 20% chance. It's hard to tell because normally it doesn't work at all in people who've smoked (my dad smoked two packs a day), or tumor cells that don't have this particular genetic mutation (which my dad's tumor doesn't have). But your tumor doesn't have the mutation that DEFINITELY says it's not going to work, so we're going to try it.
Kali: This might seem like a dumb question, but why not finish the course of chemo that you had planned? I mean, if it is killing the cancer cells, maybe it just needs more time to work?
Doctor: We don't want to waste precious time.
Kali & Kali's dad: !!!!
Kali: Wait, tell me again, how is this news MIXED?!?!

Le sigh.

Comments

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Oh, hon, you've experienced it so much more up close than me, and you've been so brave, I feel kind of like an asshat for even complaining. *hugs* Thank you for your good thoughts.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

You do! In comments! And post-its! *g*

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

I think you're definitely right. I just haven't had the wherewithal to get it set up, y'know? But yeah. *hugs to you and your friend*

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

It helps! Oh, and I have a present for you. *grin* We must all hang sometime soon.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

It's pretty awful, but we're hanging in. Helps to blow off steam on the internet, don't you know. Thanks for your good thoughts. ♥ ♥

AND new Leverage tonight. wheee!

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I've a hard time too, commenting on this kind of thing, so I appreciate it. *hugs* You are awesome. =D

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Compliments are always consolatory. *g* Especially on writing. You got any more?

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

P.S. I love you too.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! (And for your reply upthread. It's nice to be reminded that my friends (internet & otherwise) are fucking awesome in the face of douchbaggery!) ♥

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

You do! And I'm terribly, sincerely grateful. *hugs back*

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Yay (on the hugs, not falling down the stairs. Are you okay?)! And thank you! Maybe there can be enough good to go around.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

yeah, it happened a couple weeks ago, busted my tailbone (still hurts, but not too bad)
*more hugs* how you doing? (stupid question, but srsly, how are you?)
wanna write some zombie fic for my zombi_fic_ation comm?
i just randomly made it and... i don't quite know what to do with it yet - you could turn that doctor into an unhelpful and vague zombie
and then hit him with a baseball bat
in fic
:D

[contrarywise]

Urgh. Boo for medical communication!fail. Not to mention idiotic trolls in comments. *hugs and best wishes to you all*

[xenakat13.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear the unpleasant news. *hugs* I also wish there was something I could do to help you feel better, but I'm keeping you and your dad in my thoughts.

[qthelights.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, honey. Here's hoping that you guys have some luck with the drug. Twenty percent is still definitely possible. *hugs you tight*

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry. I don't know what to say, other than i wish you both well!
Peace and love, health and strength to you!

[definehome.livejournal.com]

Fucking hell, that hurts. I'm sorry.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

Oh, *hug*

Seriously. Just *hug*

[magnetgirl.livejournal.com]

You know, I read comments like this one I'm responding to, and I want to smack you smartly on the ass and hug you all at the same time. You know it's not about "having reason" to complain...you told me this, remember? I knew I should have recorded that shit! :)

::lovels you::

[magnetgirl.livejournal.com]

You know, I found that exchange darkly hilarious and also heartbreaking-holy shit you're already writing better than Russell T Davies! (am I surprised? no.)

I love you SO much. And, and-I need to be around more. Let's have at least one date a week, eh? Just pick the day and it's yours. I don't care what work thinks! Eff 'em. Lovelovelove you peanut.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. *oodles of hugs*

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

I appreciate it, so much. Thank you.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Yep. We're still hopeful. It was just kind of a bad day. Thanks, hon. *hugs*

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your kind words. They're much appreciated. :-)

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

It was pretty lame, but we're not licked yet! Thank you.