test results

PamPam2

Went to doctor, results of MRI. Well the liver lesion that showed on CT scan did show on MRI, did not light up PET. Not overly suspicious on MRI I guess, the doctor ordered another MRI in June to make sure it is not growing. Still trying to find a surgeon who will take me for opinion on underarm lump. Feel reassured with test results so far, and glad the doctor is watching closly. I'm nearing the 5 yr mark and that is good! Best wishes to all.
Pam

lisa42

underarm lump
Pam,

Did this underarm lump show up on the CT or MRI? You didn't mention it on any scans, just the liver lesion. I'm very glad to hear the liver lesion didn't light up on the PET, but do be cautious and keep having it checked, as I have found out firsthand that just because something doesn't light up on the PET doesn't neccesarily mean it's not cancerous (it just might not be currently actively growing). I had some liver lesions removed during a liver resection that no longer lit up on the PET, but did test positive for cancer after they were postsurgically biopsied. Not to scare you by any means- just to make you aware to keep on top of things.

Take care-
Lisa

PamPam2

lisa42 said:

underarm lump
Pam,

Did this underarm lump show up on the CT or MRI? You didn't mention it on any scans, just the liver lesion. I'm very glad to hear the liver lesion didn't light up on the PET, but do be cautious and keep having it checked, as I have found out firsthand that just because something doesn't light up on the PET doesn't neccesarily mean it's not cancerous (it just might not be currently actively growing). I had some liver lesions removed during a liver resection that no longer lit up on the PET, but did test positive for cancer after they were postsurgically biopsied. Not to scare you by any means- just to make you aware to keep on top of things.

Take care-
Lisa

tests
Thanks Lisa. I found the lump myself. It does not light up on the scans, they also did ultrasound on it, it is not very suspicious and it is superficial, my onc. is referring me to a surgeon she says since they see so much more of these than she does. And yes, I have been concerned about the liver lesion, but it looks like my onc. is going to monitor it very closly. Hopefully it is just a cluster of blood vessels, that is what she said it could be. I just try not to dwell on it, but do want to keep track. How have you been doing? I don't think I have seen you post anything lately. Hope all is going well.
Pam

lisa42

PamPam2 said:

tests
Thanks Lisa. I found the lump myself. It does not light up on the scans, they also did ultrasound on it, it is not very suspicious and it is superficial, my onc. is referring me to a surgeon she says since they see so much more of these than she does. And yes, I have been concerned about the liver lesion, but it looks like my onc. is going to monitor it very closly. Hopefully it is just a cluster of blood vessels, that is what she said it could be. I just try not to dwell on it, but do want to keep track. How have you been doing? I don't think I have seen you post anything lately. Hope all is going well.
Pam

me
Hi Pam,

Thanks for asking about me. I have one more time of chemo a week from tomorrow & then I'm due for a CT scan the week after that. My last scan was the day before Thanksgiving- so it will have been four months from scan to scan. The last scan showed everything "stable", with a couple of lesions getting slightly smaller. Everything was at or under a centimeter at that point. Although stable and slightly smaller is considered a good scan result, I was disappointed, because I was sure hoping it would have been gone! Now, four months later, I'm getting nervous as to what will show or not show up on this scan. I feel like if stuff is still there this time, then that will tell me that this is going to be chronic and something that I will have to continue to treat forever. How I would love to be NED! I was told I was NED back right after my surgery in May, but then in late August, I had a recurrence in my lungs and a "suspicious spot" was seen on my liver, so back on chemo I went again. Since then, I went back and re-read my scan reports from April and May carefully & realized although my oncologist told me it was all gone then, my scan report said otherwise. I guess I didn't read the report then carefully because I was excited and so very much wanted to believe what my onc said. I was upset that he was remiss in telling me what he did- very negligent, in fact. The oncologist that I then consulted with and wanted to change to after that happened was denied by my insurance- they told me I "can't change doctors while I'm currently receiving treatment". I retorted that as a stage IV cancer patient, I could be in treatment the rest of my life & does that really mean I could never change doctors?!" They replied that that's their policy and I could always appeal it to the insurance board if I wanted. Well, at that time, the other oncologist agreed to be a consultant to me any time I need it (which has been great), so I didn't pursue anything with appealing to the insurance board. That's about where I'm at- trying not to "think and worry" too much before this upcoming scan.

Well, take care of yourself and I'll be checking posts for any update on you.

Blessings,
Lisa

PamPam2

lisa42 said:

me
Hi Pam,

Thanks for asking about me. I have one more time of chemo a week from tomorrow & then I'm due for a CT scan the week after that. My last scan was the day before Thanksgiving- so it will have been four months from scan to scan. The last scan showed everything "stable", with a couple of lesions getting slightly smaller. Everything was at or under a centimeter at that point. Although stable and slightly smaller is considered a good scan result, I was disappointed, because I was sure hoping it would have been gone! Now, four months later, I'm getting nervous as to what will show or not show up on this scan. I feel like if stuff is still there this time, then that will tell me that this is going to be chronic and something that I will have to continue to treat forever. How I would love to be NED! I was told I was NED back right after my surgery in May, but then in late August, I had a recurrence in my lungs and a "suspicious spot" was seen on my liver, so back on chemo I went again. Since then, I went back and re-read my scan reports from April and May carefully & realized although my oncologist told me it was all gone then, my scan report said otherwise. I guess I didn't read the report then carefully because I was excited and so very much wanted to believe what my onc said. I was upset that he was remiss in telling me what he did- very negligent, in fact. The oncologist that I then consulted with and wanted to change to after that happened was denied by my insurance- they told me I "can't change doctors while I'm currently receiving treatment". I retorted that as a stage IV cancer patient, I could be in treatment the rest of my life & does that really mean I could never change doctors?!" They replied that that's their policy and I could always appeal it to the insurance board if I wanted. Well, at that time, the other oncologist agreed to be a consultant to me any time I need it (which has been great), so I didn't pursue anything with appealing to the insurance board. That's about where I'm at- trying not to "think and worry" too much before this upcoming scan.

Well, take care of yourself and I'll be checking posts for any update on you.

Blessings,
Lisa

Hi Lisa
Hi Lisa. Sorry the lesions did not dissapear totally. I am starting to believe that once you have had a serious cancer that spread, it is a lifelong process. I also was dx stage 4. I can also relate to your insurance problems. Through all this I had to go on disability and medicaid, as I was self-employed. It is very difficult, I have very little choice about who I can get for treatment, or even primary care. I lost my surgeon, my first oncologist, went through two primary care doctors, the doctor who did my colonoscopys won't take my insurance so have to travel to another city for that now, probably going to have to go to Ohio State University hospital to even consult a surgeon, it goes on.....
Hopefully your scan shows even more shrinkage or that they have disappeared. The stress related to testing and treatments is bad enough, you have to deal with a flawed insurance and medical system too, I feel your pain in that regard! Here's hoping for the best of all possible results for you. Keep on being proactive and don't let them sweep you under the rug! I always try to do some things I enjoy and kind of treat myself during scan time,I've even played solitare on the computer for hours when I was upset, concentrating on something keeps me from dwelling on my worry for awhile.
Pam

lisa42

Thanks for the
Thanks for the encouragement, Pam! That's what this site is about- supporting and helping each other! Have a good day. Now I need to get going on cleaning the house for guests coming tomorrow...