Okay, we went to the oncologist this morning and after he sits down he says, "Your PET scan is essentially clean." Of course, I got hung up on "essentially." The next words out of my mouth well what does that mean?
Doc says Greg has one node in his chest that is 2.2 cm and they consider anything under 2 to be normal. Doc says that he's thinking it inflammation and scarring, but that it could still possibly be cancerous.
So, hubby has another scan in 6 weeks to see if the spot has gone down, stayed the same, or gotten bigger. If it goes down, we're good, staying the same means a biopsy to see exactly what it is, and if it grows that means 6 weeks of radiation. The good side of that the doc said if it was a small cancerous area that the radiation would knock it right out no problem. My concern is the long term side effects of radiation.
I was wondering if any one had anything similar occur? I want to be positive and hope that it's the scarring and inflammation, but I want to be realistic at the same time. Your situation and insight would be appreciated.
Hey Gregswife. I do not have any similar experience but I did want to share my support for you and your husband. I am not familiar with PET scans but it sounds like it being clean could be step in the right direction to being cancer free. I know this must be a tough journey for you and your husband. Wishing you the best!
Hello, I've never experience such thing, but I'll pray for you.
I know this is hard, specially the waiting, and the long nights thinking, what is it?
I just hope you'll find the strength to make it through.
I know you may feel helpless, but enjoy those 6 weeks without chemotherapy and without radiation, be there for your husband, and just be there.
I don't know what to say, I'm always short on words, sorry.
I'll pray for you, hope everything will be alright, let us know.
Hey Gregswife,
You know who I am, I took 4200 rads of radiation 30 years ago and I've had zero long term side effects. And my understanding is the way they do it today is more localized so they can zap the tumor with much less exposure to healthy tissue. I took what is called mantle radiation where healthy tissue is exposed but I think that is seldom used anymore, the way they do it now is much more efficient. Anyway, I think you will be fine.
Just remembered , I should add that I did have one side effect a couple months after I finished radiation. I started feeling quite ill so I went to my oncologist and it was diagnosed as radiation induced pneumonia, put me on prednisone for a few days and knocked it right out. Just saying if you don't feel right see your doc.
Doug!! I think you are going to be my life line on this site! It's so nice to hear from someone who has been down this road! Thank you so much. I was crying tears of relief as I read your post.
I know it could be nothing for Greg.... but, it's so good to hear that it can/will be okay even if he does have radiation. Thank you SO much. :)
Gregswife,
Glad to help.
As I said in another post on this site ,it's been 30 years and hodgkins has really become a non-issue in my life. I was 'officially' diagnosed on my 25th birthday, and I recently turned 55( geez, I'm gettin' old ;) and hadn't thought about it much until recently I realized it's been 30 years. So, I googled a little bit and found this site.
I will keep you and your Husband in my prays.
I would say, enjoy the time off from all the test, chemo, and such. Just get back to your life style, and try not to worry so much right now. I know its hard, and it will keep crappy up in the back of your mind. But push it away, and think happy thoughts. At this point you have no control of what is going to happen, till the 6 weeks are up. So don’t drive yourself nuts.
Live, Love and be happy!!!!!!
I wish the very best for you both, and pray that the outcome will be bight, and that your husband and you NEVER have to go through cancer again in your lifetime.
Hugs
Christine