Tomorrow is my 3 month post treatment PET/CT scan, probably my 12th scan so far. Low carbs today, no exercise..no problem there, and no food tomorrow until after the test. I will find out the results next Monday when I visit my RO. I usually don't wait this long, but it's at a new location, and don't feel like traveling to pick up the results myself from the place of testing, we'll see.

Good luck Paul

Charm

Thanks Charm!

When these meaningful tests come up I often look back at the entire process back to my diagnosis three years ago, and subsequent treatments. This date in 2010 I was still in a nursing home after my three month hospital stay from November 22nd, 2009. I then went back to the hospital in March, then back to the nursing home, and back to the hospital again in April when I was finally discharged May 7th, 2010. It's been one rollercoaster ride, and a marathon.

Fingers crossed for you!!! Hugs

Thanks!

Good luck Paul from the west coast

Thanks Doolittle. Cold here today own the east, 26 degrees.

GOOD LUCK! HOPING AND PRAYING FOR THE NED! best to you. don

Thanks Don! Hope everything is well with yourself.

N....E....D!, N....E....D!.

Praying for you too!

Thanks Hockeydad, Mickey. I'll see of I can fit that long NED it my signature lol.

Awesome!!!!!

Not yet Cheyrl. I didn't take the test yet, and have to wait until Monday but I may go Friday. I have no patience for some things.

Today's the day... GOOD LUCK, Paul !

Thank you!

PET/CT went fine. The only thing is that I could not get the contrast injection for the CT scan part, so I only did the FDG infusion. This was the first time contrast was going to be given, but's a different testing place I went this time. I may be able to pick up the report on Friday. Thanks for all the kind wishes.

Hi Paul, really hoping for fantastic scan results for you.
Tammy

Thanks, Tammy.

I picked up my PET/CT report today. Overall it looks pretty good, but going to wait for my doctor's opinion's next week, before I do a happy dance self proclaiming myself being all clear. There are no signs of distant metastases, which is good, just some imaging concerns, some highlighted below:

Findings: "...there are patch regions of cutenous thickenng overlaying the flap reconstruction without discrete nodularity. On the corresponding functional images, there is mildly heterogenous metabolic activity especially seen deep to the reconstruction flap and adjacent surgical clips, maximum SUV range measuring up to 4.4. Anatomical evaluation of the deep margin is limited due to the lack of intravenous contrast and streak artifact from the surgical clip."

Impression: "....there is no obvious findings to suggest new sites of metastatic disease, however, the current CT imaging evaluation is limited due to the lack of intravenous contrast and PET imaging is limited due to presumed post surgical inflammatory changes especially along the deep margins. It would be expected that the current study serve as a baseline for future comparison.

Maybe I'll be sent for an MRI or rescanned in a few months? My last visit with my local oncologist suggested I would be a good candidate for Chemoprevention with Tervceva, erlotinib, and will ask the others doctors their opionion's on that. To be continued.

Well, that sounds fairly encouraging. They do manage to insert many shades of gray into those reports, though!
Maria

They always do lol. I have follow-up vist with my RO, and MO on Monday, Tuesday with my local MO, and Thursday with my ENT, so I'll see what they say.

Geez, you know in law school they taught us that traditional "legaleze" is not appreciated... ie no "heretofore", and the "party of the first part", etc.

I think doctors need the same lesson in the KISS principal: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Having said that, it seems positive, so good luck with the follow ups.

I saw my RO and MO today, and both were happy with my test results, all clear! I will have another PET scan in 6 month's, but RO wants an abdominal CT scan in 3 months due to small showing in the PET that could not be properly seen on CT due to the lack of contrast, "subcentermetet low attenuation foci in the hepatic parenchyma."

My RO specializes in head and neck cancer, and did a largynoscipes too, which was all clear also. MO said I could have my peg-tube taken out whenever I want, which I had for two years due to the recurrences. I totally forgot to ask thier thoughts on chemoprevention medication, like Tarceva, which my local oncologist suggested on my last visit. I see my local oncologist tomorrow, and ENT on Thursday.

So far, I'm happy.

Fantastic news Paul.
Tammy

Congrad's back at you. Time to pop open a bottle of Abbott Labs best, Ensure Complete Milk chocolate. Just don't over do it.

Think you Tammy, and Hockeydad. I bought a bottle of red wine from Trader Joe's, to go with my homemade meatball Parmesan hero. Life is good!

[quote]Red red wine you make me feel so fine
You keep me rocking all of the time[/quote]
I'll Celebrate the good news with you Paul with some red wine down my tube. Congratulations
Charm

Thank you, Charm. Cheers.

Tomorrow, 5/1, I go for a CT scan of the liver due to some scattering seen on the PET/CT, which was not clear. I will find out the results on Monday, when I see my RO, but due to no contrast, we'll see. Spoke to my nephrologist, who said if needed, he can give me something to have contrast next time. My creatinine is high.

I just hate when they want to throw the CT with no contrast at us and then end up going another route when nothing ever shows up. I hope everything goes well Paul.

Ed

Good luck tomorrow. I hope they don't find what they are looking for and it difinitive. Contast is just a pain in the A$$, anyway.

Thinking of you Paul. May you get all your answers. May they be the good answers you want.
Tammy

Best of luck and fingers crossed you're clear!

Thanks all. I still had to drink one of those delicious Mocha drinks, but no big deal. I think the CT scan was just a precisugion, I hope lol.

Of course the non contrast CT i had last week was not definitive enough to make any determination with the liver, but two small spots are still seen, probably nothing. Anyway, my ordering RO had to reschedule my follow-up visit to June 10th due to vacation. The CT may have explained my back pains, fever, etc. I had for the past two weeks, and have kidney stones, besides gallstones. I did a follow-up with the MO yesterday, who took blood, and his office called back today saying that I have to see my GP right away...was on my way to see the ENT today. My hemoglobin is 7.6, which is low, and my creatinine is very high at 6.85, which is at kidney failure level. I see my local oncologist/hematologist tomorrow, who is more like my GP, and sent copies of my tests to my kidney doctor also, so I'll see what the next step is.

I hope they get it all sorted out post haste.

Aargh Paul. There just always seems to be something else we have to cope with.
Hope you do get this all sorted out and treated pronto.
Tammy.

Thanks, all.

Best of luck my dear... hopefully things will be set right soon enough!

I just got home today. After visiting my local oncologisy/hematologist on Wednesday, she sent me to the ER. Said the kidney stone was likely shutting down my kidney, and may need a stent, a blood transfusion, possibly dialysis, and would let my nephrologist know who is associated with the same hospital, and who I see on a regular basis. Was in the ER for 12 hours, and finally got a room at 3am. They put a Foley catheter in, and gave me some chocolate cherry drink due to lower my potassium being it was high, and found out it was a laxative lol. I had another blood transfusion on Thursday, and surgery afterwards after my creatinine went to 7.2. Received another transfusion on Friday due to the hemoglobin dropping more. The urologist said the stone was likelg a uruc acid stone caused by chemo. Other than that, had to take sodium bicarbonate pills, and given continioud IV fluids.

Now I have two more doctors to add to my repertoire, and will have the stent taken out in 10 days.

Man...what a wild ride you are on Paul. I hope things stabilize for you soon and for a while.

Ed

Geez Paul, you are a trooper! Sending my best wishes to you.

Paul,

Your hogging all of the doctors, will you please get healthy, so the rest of us get an appointment.

Good luck my friend.

Paul,

You need to write a book!

Thanks all. I had similar kidney problem in 2010, 5 months after chemo, and it was 5 months this time also since my last chemo. I'll find out more during my follow-ups. Magnesium was also low. Maybe from the IV infusions, kidneys? Thankfully I have good local doctors who know my case, and have visitation rights at the hospital, and came everyday to oversee my care.