PET scan?

Hi Wendy. How are you?

I had to reply to your post, because I was just discussing with my husband, whether or not I should have another PET scan.

I was diagnosed March 2004 with Stage 3 Rectal CA. I have had 2 PET scans. The first one was before my treatment and surgery and the second was a year after diagnosis.

This test is similar to a MRI, but easier. If my memory serves me correctly, this is the procedure:
There is some sort of dietary prep that I can't remember ( either no food or no sugar)
You arrive and gown up. There is an injection ( in your arm) of a radioactive isotope. THis is a tracer that will "light up" any suspicious activity in your body.
You have to hang out in a quiet room for around 45 minutes. Quiet: to keep your metabolism quiet and 45 minutes to let the isotope travel your entire blood stream.

Now, coming from someone who is EXTREMELY sensitive to everything ( and then anxious, to boot), I have to tell you that there were NO side effects what-so-ever to the injection.

So then you go into the scan room. It is usually on the chilly side, but they have nice heated blankets.

The exam, itself isn't that bad. ( again, I absolutely HATE MRI's) THis is so much easier than that.

The machine has a table, which you lie on. This moves in and out of the circular donut shaped tube. It is open at both ends and not as close to you as an MRI. For me, I had a whole body scan minus the head. It does a pass or two of your whole body.( you pass thru the tube and then back out again. I think 2 times. THen it takes "slice" pictures of you. So, say it starts at you chest. You may be in that spot for 5 minutes or so. Then it moves you further thru and does the next spot for a few minutes.It being open at both ends really takes away any feeling of being "inside" the machine.

You do have to be still, but not "frozen" or anything.

I found that if I counted by "one Mississippi, two miss.", the time passed rather quickly. I tried to get it right to the second that the machine moved me. I believe it was at regular increments. Just my way of passing the time.

Overall,really truly not a bad test.

If you can get a PET/CAT scan it's even better. You get the benefit of 2 scans in one. And it doesn't take anymore time. Much better for diagnostics, too.

Best of luck. You will do fine. I'm gonna be doing another one, I'm sure.

Barb

KathiM said:

Wow! Everyone describes it sooo well! Just to add one thing....there is now a machine that does both PET and CT scans....does that help a little? Remember what the CT machine looks like?
I strongly agree with the 'before' nap....it feels sooooo great to have a medical PROFESSIONAL tell you to take one!!!!
I KNOW you will do fine!...wow, feel like a nap now, myself!
Hugs, Kathi

I've had some of my best naps in hospitals. I was always dead annoyed when they woke me up after procedures There's no nap like a good nap like a drug-induced nap Yawn!

JADot

suzannchili said:

Same story different person. I too had to go in for a PET scan after celebrating my 5 yr. survivor anniversary because of a change on the CT scan. Turned out to be nothing, but freaked me out to say the least. Sounds like you got a great description about the PET scan from the other replies, so I'll just add that it's painless. Good luck and I'll put ya on my list of good thoughts and prayers!
PS- it won't make you glow in the dark (I tried)

Wendy.
I will be having a PET/Cat combo on June the 5th . I too am nervous . So I was very interested in your post. Thanks everyone for the info .I feel much more relaxed . I hope you do too.
Best of Luck Wendy
Please keep us posted
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.
DEBRA

debralla said:

Wendy.
I will be having a PET/Cat combo on June the 5th . I too am nervous . So I was very interested in your post. Thanks everyone for the info .I feel much more relaxed . I hope you do too.
Best of Luck Wendy
Please keep us posted
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.
DEBRA

Debra, so now you can be the first on your block to PET the CAT (hehehehehe)
If you google PET CT scan, you can see a pic of the new machine....U of Loisianna, I think....
Hugs, Kathi

spongebob said:

Wendy -

Everyone has given you excellent info on the technicals of a PET scan. Here's the real scoop. Obviously you are familiar with a CAT scan. About 3 years ago the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in the 9th Circuit Court (Runner Z will appreciate that lawyer joke I just made)... anyway, the ACLU filed suit on behalf of all dogs, fish, parrots, ferretts, monkeys, gerbils and sea monkeys to have the name of the CAT scan legally changed as it discriminates against all pets except for cats. The cats argument was that the machine which conducts the test is cold, aloof, somewhat smothering and doesn't come when called and is, therefore, by its very nature cat-like and the test administered by that machine should, therefore, be called a CAT scan.

The plaintiffs in the suit (all dogs, fish, parrots, ferretts, monkeys, gerbils and sea monkeys)argued that despite it's obvious similarities to a cat, the naming of the test CAT scan evokes connotations of soft fuzzy kittens to the detriment of other pets (with the possible exception of puppies, but - particularly - sea monkeys).

In a typical 9th circuit ruling Judge Ezra ruled that there should be a second test created that is similar, yet substantively different from the CAT scan and that that test should be referred to as a PET scan, so as to collectively, enumerate all representative plaintiffs to the suit.

By the way, did I mention that I am just hanging out waiting on my colon prep to kick in? Got a little extra time on my hands and no hot date tonight (could have definitely strained the relationship if I did!)

Cheers!

- SpongeBob

Hi Bob -

Good luck on your CT (avoiding the term CAT). And, have "FUN" with your colon prep!

Wishing you the best!

Betsy