Please pray for me that I am all clear for my first PET scan post Tx. Unfortunately I have been a little symptomatic this past month and am quite nervous about this test. At last check, the ENT could not visually see any sign of my primary tumor, but after I saw him I developed lymphedema, have been slightly short of breath, started getting sleepy during the day again, neck is very stiff, have a tender spot in my neck around the area of my primary, coughing, feeling of something stuck in my throat. Some of this can be attributed to the edema, but I'm nervous about the onset of fatigue again when I had been feeling quite energetic, shortness of breath when I had been breathing fine, and this tender soreness that popped up this week.

Anyway, just pray for me. I know that God is bigger and I know that I should just trust him and forget about it. But as you know, it's not so easy.

Love you guys and Merry Christmas

PS:
My sister had a brand new baby boy 12/11/11 - His name is Dexter =)

I'll keep you in my prayers HX. It's a nervous time waiting for the scan. I'll pray for you to have an all clear result. Also, I will pray that you will have peacefulness while you wait.

In the meantime, try to distract yourself with other thoughts the best that you can. I know it is hard. But, withhold whatever you are able to from the monster. It's already required way too much from you. I hope the discomforts go away soon and you can more easily quiet your fears.

Congratulations on the birth of your nephew! He's a lucky little guy to have you in his life. In you he'll have a wonderful example of strength and faith.

God's blessings to you, dear HX. And, Merry Christmas!

Love ya!
Sandy
xoxox

Me too praying for an all clear!!! couple of things - edema is normal particularly after ND - sensitivity in your neck does tend to grow as some of the nerves regenerate... That area of your neck where the tumor was was bombarded sensitivity there is normal as well it was traumatized!!! With regards to the fatigue - hopefully you had a TSH test prior to treatment - one of the thing that happens post rads is that your thyroid may have pooped out! that could very well be the why! Fatigue is a major part of thyroid damage. These could all very well be reasons behind your symptoms. Good luck!

I love you guys. You know exactly what to say to ease me away from the edge of panic. I hadn't considered the regeneration of nerves as a reason why I am having discomfort now when I hadn't before. You folks are real angels in this fight. I will have my thyroid checked as well. I didn't have any baseline testing done before hand though. Regardless, I will bring it up with my RO team. Thanks so much for the perspective... again. =) My heart is full with gratitude.

Hi Hank:
This is from the "wimp" of the Forum when it comes to having scans and waiting for results, so don't try to take away my title. Seriously, we all worry about results, some more than others. I definitely will send a prayer up to heaven for you right now - God bless.
julieann
Oh, tell our sister Congratulations on Dexter. Neat Christmas present

I never had a post Tx PET scan but I had lots of post Tx MRI's and the early ones were never "clean". They eventually were, so even if you get a crappy scan report it's too soon to freak out, and let your doctor interpret the results. The reading radiologist is bound to list every anomaly they see, even though most are readily explainable, that's why interpretation is necessary.

Scans are only a small part of the total followup workup and the direct visualization and palpation exam is equally as important.

Thanks Gary and Julie. I am trying to steel myself for adverse news. It's not easy as you all well know. But I am trying to make sure that I remember that not every creak and crack and pain in the neck is going to be cancer. My test on Friday was horrible by the way.. lol. They take forever. For some reason I was exceptionally uncomfortable physically during this one. Bleh, it sucked but it's over until next time.