| | Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 6 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 6 | Howdy All,
I'm confused re: my up coming appointments. I'm scheduled to be seen at UNM Hospital tomorrow. Not at their CCC but @ the Specialty Surgery Clinic. When asked to bring my scan disks I informed the ENT folks that I was still waiting for an appointment for the scans. They were "working on it". I think it slipped their minds. Oh Well...
This Morning a private imaging facility called with an appt. that's over 2 weeks from now..???
Does that sound like a long time? I feel like my visit to Albuquerque will be compromised due to the lack of scan results.It's a way long drive to be told... come back after your scans are complete. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Hugs to all
Karina
10-5-16....Biopsy @ ENT office
10-7-16....Dx SSca Lt Lat Tongue
10-14-16...By examination called T1
2nd biopsy (core) for depth
Pre anesthesia testing done
Surgery date Nov.2
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | Sounds like your PET/CT is being sourced out as not every hospital has a PET/CT machine or the staff to Interpret them. Having been in treatment of several facilities, the one where the ENT or person taking charge of your care, may want to do the imaging there or their affiliation, so I would keep the appointment, besides their probably going to do a physical/visual exam, scope, reviewing the pathology of the biopsy, and you can ask questions, and some prefer a CT, even an MRI, depending on location of cancer, and type.
A PET/ CT requires advanced preparation, such as low or no carbs for 24hrs, some just say 8, no exercise for 2 days as these can alter the PET scan results. A CT requires no advanced preparation, can be pretty much done anywhere, and easily read compared to a PET, and is cheaper. I think that's where the wait time can be is with insurance approval or pre approval, so wait times can vary, and yes, I've waited two weeks, sometimes less depending on the Doctor and association with the radiology center or department, and my insurance.
I hope this helps, and good luck tomorrow.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 6 | Thank You PaulB.... Your reply was "Right On" and very helpful to me.
My visit to UNM hospital was productive regardless of scan results.The Cancer center is on line with most imaging centers in the state. ENT oncologist is OK having scan results @ anytime prior to surg. Whew! Guess I was over thinking it.
Again...Many thanks for easing my worry and helping me make the right decision for me.
Hugs Karina
10-5-16....Biopsy @ ENT office
10-7-16....Dx SSca Lt Lat Tongue
10-14-16...By examination called T1
2nd biopsy (core) for depth
Pre anesthesia testing done
Surgery date Nov.2
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I would call the imaging facility back and tell them what you explained in your post. If they cant move your appointment up you can ask to be put on the cancellation list. Paul is correct in saying many procedures or even scans need days of prep time like getting extra rest, avoiding carbs and sugar or drinking lots of water. Since its an outside place where you will be getting scanned, you will need extra time to have the results sent over to your doc. I would also ask if they provide a copy of the scan to their patients. Some places will hand you a disc immediately after your test.
Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 | Sounds like some personal shepherding may get test results moved along quicker. Remember scans produce two things: a set of images and a written report. If you pick up the image disc after you get scanned, the report will likely not be on the disc. Just make sure both are sent along; otherwise there may be more delay.
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | |
| Forums23 Topics18,220 Posts197,069 Members13,255 | | Most Online875
Dec 21st, 2024 | | |
|
