I had a PET/CT scan two weeks ago, saw my oncologist wednesday. Nothing alarming in my head or lungs - hooray! But there is a mass next to one of my kidneys. He said 8 cm - now that is pretty big. I am going to an abdominal CT scan on monday 11/8 and to an urologist the next friday. The oncologist said the mass has nothing to do with the SCC, and that it did not look like cancer to him (did not light up on the iodide part, but on the glucose??? I am very confused).
I have tried to really figure out about all these different scans - apparently PET/CT is different from the plain CT, since I am having to get one of those separately.
Also, I am not supposed to drink anything for 4 hours before the scan. Excuse me, I have not gone four hours without a drink of water since May. A small sip of water, no more than the amount of saliva a "regular" person would swallow automatically every few minutes - what do you think?

Am I scared? Hell, yes.

We've got a brand new kitten, very friendly and lovable. My dog adores him.

Leena

Hi Leena,
I would hold to our motto 'it ain't cancer till they say it is' in this situation. In an article on kidney cancer at:
http://www.oncologychannel.com/kidneycancer/benign.shtml
it states that 7 to 22 percent of autopsy cadavers have renal adenoma, a small benign tumor of the kidney, so this could be completely unrelated to oral SCC as your doctor has said.

As far as diffent scans go, there is an article in the news section of the OCF site that describes the newest scanning technology, the CT/PET scan. It also explains the differences between the common types of scans. You can find it at:
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=360

I had a CT scan last week and was told not to eat or drink anything 2 hours before scan time. I asked the technician about this and he said that it was because some people get nauseous from the contrast dye injection and it is to prevent vomitting and/or choking. I would ask your doctor about sipping water to confirm this, but I suspect that it would be ok.

Hope this is of some help. Good luck - Sheldon

Leena,

I've had similar concerns about going for tests where they told me I couldn't drink water for some amount of time beforehand. Usually they've responded that it would be OK to swish water around in my mouth and spit it out, if I'm trying to combat severe dryness. Maybe they'll let you do that at least.

Cathy

Having had more than my share of CT's PET's MRI's etc. I have also been told about the water issue. When I explain the dry mouth issue to them I have never had anyone object to small sips before the scans, and when they do a contrast and a no contrast scan, a sip in-between the two prior to the injection. With PET scans you do not want to talk do too much swallowing etc right before the scan because that will actually cause a false positive in the scan. The techs are supposed to make a note if there was any speaking or conversation right before beginning the scan. Once injected be still as possible, and do as little as possible. For some people this means taking a Valium prior to scan. For me it means trying to catch a quick catnap in the recliner prior to the scan and again in the machine with my ipod on. (PET only).

I use a product called Stoppers4 dry mouth spray, it works and it contains some of the enzymes of saliva, I call it "artificial spit".

Leena,

I am sorry to hear yet another event gets to stimulate your already edgy fears of cancer. It may just be me but it seems like as soon as life starts flowing in a reasonably normal manner, something pops up on the radar screen to generate a little extra tossing and turning instead of sleeping at night.

For instance, I came in from outside Friday afternoon (2:30 pm) and noticed my medical oncologist left me a message. I have not seen him for 3 months and he said he wanted to speak with me regarding some recent studies I had done and that we needed to talk about what we should do from here. I called back and they said do not move from your phone, he will call you as soon as we page him. At 5:01 pm I called back and the switchboard was closed for the weekend so I asked the doctor on call to return my call. He said he could not help me and to check back on Monday. Do these folks understand how they have impacted my weekend??? It does not seem like a very nice and compassionate thing to do.

Anyway, I will be hoping and praying you have nothing of concern!

Ed

Thank you for the input - I think I'll just plan not to drink at all, but if it gets too tough, to take a tiny sip. I think it may have something to do with the fact that they are interested in the area of my kidneys, and I definitely want them to be able to see all they possibly can.

Ed, I am so mad at your oncologist! They just do not think. I guess they just do not have the time and energy to remember that they are dealing with real people, not just bodies or separate organs! Most doctors are very good when you actually are talking to them, but in the betweentimes, they won't or can't remember that you are worried all the time, that you will not turn the worry off when it's time for them to go home.

Of course they would go crazy if they cared too much about each of their patients. But to leave you worried over the weekend, that is unforgivable (but you have to forgive).

Let us know what it is about - I'll keep praying for you.

Leena

Well, I don't really want to post this, but here goes:
I am going to the hospital Tuesday to have my left kidney out. The urologist is 95% certain it is renal cell carcinoma, which has a very good prognosis when detected before it spreads.
So I am supposed to be happy that I had SCC, because otherwise I would not have had the PET/CT scan which detected the RCC.
Also my father is dying in Finland. He is really just sleeping away, cannot eat or drink any more, and is receiving nothing intravenously other than pain madication. My four brothers and sisters take turns at his bedside (my mother is in another hospital room, recovering from a fall). But chances are good he will be gone by the time I come home from the hospital.
Too much!!!!
I will survive, and life will still be good. My daughter just got engaged to a very good young man.
Leena

Wow, Leena, sometimes life sucks!! In some ways (important ways) your post sums up life - good things (daughter engaged to very good young man) and bad things (father dying while you are in hospital) happen at the same time. It really isn't fair to have so many stressful things happening to one person (or family). Definitely too much!!

Again, there is a completeness - the next generation (your daughter) is getting on w/her life while her grandfather's life is ending. Congratulations on your daughter's engagement!! And a hug for you for all the horrible things that have happened!

I admire your attitude! It is very insightful to realize that life is still good when so many awful things are happening to you! You will survive and life is good! Hang in there! Candace

Leena,

My heart aches for you! When I read stories like yours, stories like Job, etc., I am humbled by your resolve and deeply saddened that another person has to endure so much. I am praying for His comfort and peace for you, I am praying for wisdom and guidance for your medical team to find the best possible treatment for you and I am praying for Him to hold your entire family in his loving and healing arms.

I almost forgot to mention the final result form my medical oncologist. I emailed him on Monday afternoon and told him I would make it easier for him to communicate and gave him three possible outcomes. I instructed him to reply with #1, #2, or #3. It turned out to be number 1, I requested a recheck on my viral loading for Hep C and they ordered the wrong test and he was calling back to notify me I had Hep C which was already documented in my file. (I had actually finished the Hep C treatment back in Nov 2002 and want reassurance it has not rekindled from all the chemo/radiation.) Thank you for asking and I am sorry for not responding sooner.

God Bless,

Ed