I first wrote to you all last week about my husband who has (had?) IV SCC with primary unknown. He finished his treatments Nov21. He just had cat scans taken last week and the tests came back clear. I have a couple of questions:

1) We have been told pet scans reveal more than cat scans and MRI's. Originally we were told he would pet scans taken after treatment but last week they only did cat scans. I asked his chemo doc why not the pet scans and he just said "he doesn't need them" and dismissed my question.

We then went to see the radiation doc. He was happy that the cat scans came back good, but seemed surprised that the chemo doc didn't order the pet scans. He said my husband does need pet scans since we are dealing with a primary unknown. However, since we already had the cat scans, our insurance won't pay for pet scans now. He said we will wait another few months and then schedule the pet scans when insurance will cover them.

What is the difference in the pet and cat scans? Is one more reliable than the other? Is it common for them to only do the cat scans after treatment instead of the pet scans?

2) Jimmy's cat scans all came out clear. Both docs said this was very good news. Of course, I too am very glad that these scans are showing clear, especailly considering they originally painted a very grim picture of my husbands future and the ability to beat this thing. But, I thought if his tests came back clear I would be so excited and all the worries would end. However, I'm still feeling a lot of anxiety and have worries. I am still on this emotional rollacoaster that doesn't seem to end. For some reason, I just don't seem able to let it go.

I've been reading posts on here and after good news, everyone seems so happy and excited. Are my feelings of doubt normal after receiving good news, or am I just seriously over reacting and being some kind of "drama queen?" I don't know why I'm not just exuberant with joy! Please be honest with me. Since the scans came back clear, logically it seems I have no reason to have these worries and negative feelings but I don't know how to get past them resume the normal, happy life we had. I still feel like I'm drowning even though I can see the light above. Help!

Thanks, Vickie