Today I travelled to a city two hours from home for my PET Scan.
When I arrived at the hospital they told me that the scanner had broken down, the needed parts had been flown in and they were presently being installed.
I was asked to be patient and continue fasting, if the machine passed its test run my scan would still happen. Anyway I only ended up waiting about two hours extra, so no big deal.
There were two young kids (maybe 3 and 9 yrs old) with appointments ahead of me -they were obviously unwell - heartbreaking.
So scan was done then they did a CAT Scan.
I was then told I could go and the Doctor would call me or speak to me next week on my surgery day (23rd).
I was hoping to know something today but I guess I am still waiting.
I have been feeling better for the last week so that seems promising.
Waiting is the hardest part. My son was treated in a children's hospital but was 19. It is hearbreaking seeing the babies and children. It totally changes your perspective on everything. You'll need someone with you on biopsy day.
JustJill,
It's not surprising that they didn't give you any information regarding the results of the scans. They leave that for the Oncologist. There has to be some liability issues involved. What kind of surgery are you having? Phillip
Krisle - yes those poor little babies and children - they go through so much with incredible courage.
The 3 year old I saw coming out of the PET scan room was excitedly telling his mom all about the space ship he just rode in.
Was cute and sad all at the same time.
Phillip - They are removing a lymph node in my neck. They have done a few FNA's and also ultrasound guided FNA's but now they want to take the largest abnormal node out.
They seem to expect another result than the one they keep getting.
So we will see how this all goes.
I keep hoping that the PET Scan is so good they call me and cancel the surgery.
Wonder if that is even possible.
Does anyone know -- If the PET scan shows clear does that mean for sure I have no cancer?
JustJill,
I think they want to take the node out to have more tissue to work with to figure out the diagnosis. PET scan would only show where the cancerous cells are but wouldn't give them an answer as to what kind of cancer it is.
I had a surgery when they removed an axillary lymph node and one of the nodes on my neck last Monday so if you have any questions about the surgery feel free to ask.
I'll be praying for your PET scan results to be negative.
Keep us posted!
Thanks Kama.
I take it you are waiting for news as well?
Tomorrow I go in so hopefully will get some answers then.
I remember at work before I was diagnosed a little boy used to come in to have his pre-chemo bloods done with us. He was a little over four years old and as bald as a newborn. He had a nasal-gastric tube that swung over his shoulder and poked itself into his nose. He looked gaunt and pale. Every week we would play "inney-meany-mo" to see which finger he wanted me to use for the blood test and then at the end of it, he would ask me what his platelet levels were? This kid was 4 and by far the cutest button I'd ever seen. He should never have been asking about his blood levels, knowing that a low count meant chemo was postponed- he should have been talking about kid stuff, Shrek and all that.
He had been undergoing chemo for a little over two years and it showed on his parents faces. They have to travel over an hour and have to stay close to the hospital on chemo days. The mum and dad tag team as to who stays with him and who stays with their other child at home.
Not right, not good and not fair. I'd do mine all over again so that Thomas wouldn't have to. Honestly.
Before I was diagnosed, I used to have to do so many chemo people's bloods. Sometimes on the hospital wards they would be so close to the end and I would have to take their blood, made notoriously hard from all the scar tissue which formed on every one of their vessels over time. I have written the names of every patient I have ever lost... to cancer. It was only fitting that I be struck with it too, so that my empathy could become truer than ever. And maybe actually mean something to them.