Hi Everyone
My husband has his first scans post TX tomorrow. He has a Pet/CT and a CAT scan scheduled and then we meet with his MO right after. Any words of wisdom on what to expect or how to endure the next 24 hours of waiting???
Thanks...Kerry

Hi Kerry,

I wish you the best.
I think the first scan is hard. I was scared for the first one, then the 2nd I was better.

I did alot of reading on the forum to help get me through the day. Reading others first scan reports was very helpful and gave me hope.

I know everyone here prays for a clean scan for you. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. You are not alone.
Take care
Diane

Kerry,
Yes - don't get your expectations up that the scans will be perfect and show a fully cancer free recovery. The radiology reports note every single detail and anomoly, including those that are a part of the normal healing process. My early MRI's practically had me jumping off of the fire escape and everything turned out fine in the end.

You can almost bet that the PET scan will show activity where damaged tissue is still healing. Many RO's will wait for 6 months before ordering a PET.

It was well over a year before I had clear MRI's.

Early scans were always a source of great anxiety for me and if you have anti-anxiety meds this is the time to use them.

Did you get the instructions to avoid eating or drinking any foods high in sugars for 24 hours before the PET/CT (some say 48 hours), no food after 6 am (if a morning scan) and after that, only water? To avoid exercise for 24 hours beforehand and to be quiet and calm before the scan (no jiggling or fidgeting) -- this sounds silly but apparently can affect the scan. They also told Barry not to make a lot of arm motions and to sit still after he received the labelled glucose injection -- otherwise the active muscles compete for the labeled glucose and can adversely affect interpretation of the results. No reading or talking, they left him in a darkened room (very cool room, be prepared) for 45 minutes and then he went for the scan.

Expect areas that are still healing and inflamed will show "activity" on the scan. A radiologist used to seeing a lot of head/neck cancer PET/CTs will be able to sort these out in most cases, but perhaps not all -- there may be areas of uncertainty. Thus there may be a follow-up MRI if the oncologist wants to get a better idea of what's going on. In my husband's case, they didn't see anything that lookied like residual cancer but did note that he still had indications of a lingering pneumonia he suffered 3 months earlier (just post-treatment). As a result, he was given a course of antibiotics and re-checked with chest xray a month later, and the pneumonia had resolved.

His second PET/CT 3 months later was far less nerve-wracking since we knew what to expect, but there is still that period of nervousness until the result comes back (which in his case was "all clear")

Gail

Feeling the anxiety with you. We have the first tests in 2 weeks. Stay strong.

This is the time you must practice the concept of staying in the moment. It is possible to control the anxiety with practice. Stay focused on the things that are real. Do not allow your mind to wander to the "what if's" The moment you slip to "what if's", then the awfulizing will start. If you feel it happening, close your eyes and focus all your mind on just your breathing. You will find that over time and with practice you can pull your mind out of an anxiety attack.

Take care

Jack's scan is scheduled for August 3rd and our follow up with the surgeon August 9th so we're right behind you. Our best wishes for you and Stephen tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you. I second the advice on the anti-anxiety medication and plan on using it myself in August.
Regards JoAnne