Hi,
Well, we just returned from the RO and she ordered an MRI for Richard and his appointment is for Sat. She said that, at this point, the Pet could still show false positives and the MRI is a good scan to do at this point in time. I automatically thought that she would order the Pet and I'm wondering if the MRI will give us an "all clear." Has anyone else had this experience of having the MRI first? We've gotten excellent care, so I would hope money isn't the deciding factor in what follow up tests to do. Should we still demand a PET along with the MRI, or wait until the results of the MRI are read? The RO was also very pleased after seeing Richard and reiterated what the H&N surgeon said yesterday about the treatment working. I'd appreciate any feedback...Thanks, Geri

I never had a Pet post Tx, only MRI's and my first 2, one at 3 months and the 2nd at 6 months both produced an "area that can not be excluded". Of course both times I was told "not to worry, I'm sure it's not cancer." Yeah, I slept peacefully after hearing that!!! Finally the 3rd MRI at 9 months produced that words I longed for, ALL CLEAR!

In the UK Pet scans are not used routinely.Rob only had MRI and these gave all the information the doctors needed

I have had all the scans and more than once. False positives were the reason. But I do think all 3 showed the Drs different things they needed.

T. can't have a MRI due to a rod in his leg from an old compound fracture. PET is the only way after a CT. A lot of insurance co.'s won't pay for the PET--fortunately not in his case.

I have metal in both shoulders and it doesn't bother the scans. They are stainless and the magnetism ignores them.

Thank God I have excellent insurance because I work at a hospital so they don't hesitate to order any tests or treatments because of cost. We don't pay a cent for tests/treatments/hospital stays etc. John's Oncologist ordered a CT Scan with IV contrast of his neck and chest for the beginning of August. He will be 3 1/2 months out of treatment then. He said he doesn't like ordering PET scans for follow-up of this type of cancer because the radiation causes to many false/positives. John did have a PET scan of his entire body before treatments began. I hope your husband's results are great!

My doctor was pretty insistent on a PET scan a year from treatment ending and said I will have one more 2 years out.

Hi.
Well the results from Richard's MRI came back. The results look good with post treatment changes where the cancer was, but no finding for tumor. We were hoping for an"all clear" but the RO has ordered a PET scan. She told us that the report mentioned a "thickening" and she wants a definitive answer instead of waiting. Both the RO and the H&N surgeon are very reassuring that this is scar tissue and expect the Pet won't show any tumor. The node has shrunk up and the H&N surgeon said, that upon examination, everything looks good. Richard's appointment for the Pet will be on July 26th. So, we have to wait awhile longer for our answer.

Has anyone else had this experience? It seems that most people have a Pet post treatment. David, I know you had 2 MRI scans before the 3rd "all clear." Why didn't your doctors do other testing at the time?

After all the treatment, it's going to be several months for everything to return to it's "new normal." I guess I expected them to wait another couple of months before another test. The RO wants to have an answer for us now and she is pretty pro-active about getting things done. Well, that's our news. We are staying optimistic, but as you all know, waiting is so difficult.

We are planning to make a big move by spring and we are starting to get our house together. After almost 30yrs in one home we have accumulated soooo much stuff. From the big city to the country and closer to our daughter and grandgirlies. Richard would also like to complete one more job before we move. A little more money would come in handy. Sorry I'm starting to ramble, but going through this testing again brings back memories of the diagnosis and treatment. We've gotten back to doing all of our normal activities and routine, but this is a painful reminder uncertainty will always be hanging over our heads. However, we never lose tract of how very lucky we are and are grateful for every day on God's green earth. Any comments would be appreciated...Geri

Geri

all I can say is that none of the 4 PetScans/CT I have had in the last two years were "definitive" nor even helpful. In contrast, the MRI's identified the cancer clearly. So if the MRI did not show cancer, as it sounds, then all should be well. Don't worry if the Petscan does 'show" something as every one of mine was false. All they are good for in my opinion is to stage the radiation fields.
good luck on downsizing, We are planning a move this Spring also and sorting out stored "stuff" is turning out to be a Herculean task.