PET scan is very scary

LeeandShirley
LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
in Liver Cancer #1
My husband just had a PET (CT/PT), scan. I put the scan on my computer and took a look. It's not hard to see the areas that are glowing bright yellow/white as compared to the other colors. He looks like someone lit him up for halloween with candles inside. I'm afraid this means his cancer has spread everywhere. Multiple spots on his liver ,both kidneys, one spot on his right lung, throughout his lower colon, and lumbar vertebrae. Looks like Lee may be in for some really hard times ahead. Say a prayer for him.

Comments

  • northa914
    northa914 Member Posts: 100
    #2
    You are both in my thoughts and prayers!!!
    I'm praying for false positives in Lee's scan! Has the radiologist and Lee's oncologist interpreted the readings yet? Please keep us posted, you are a bright spot on this site!

    Andrea
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #3
    northa914 said:

    You are both in my thoughts and prayers!!!
    I'm praying for false positives in Lee's scan! Has the radiologist and Lee's oncologist interpreted the readings yet? Please keep us posted, you are a bright spot on this site!

    Andrea

    Lee
    Well said Andrea. Thoughts and prayers from the other side of the Atlantic too for both of you.

    If anyone is well-equipped to cope it's LeeandShirley.
  • LeeandShirley
    LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
    #4
    Texas_wedge said:

    Lee
    Well said Andrea. Thoughts and prayers from the other side of the Atlantic too for both of you.

    If anyone is well-equipped to cope it's LeeandShirley.

    Thanks
    Thank you both for your kind words. Lee has a doctors appointment on Monday to go over the PET scan. Maybe it's not so bad afterall. I was thinking too far ahead, and not sticking to my, "One day at a time", philosophy. Keep your fingers crossed, as I will.
    Shirley
  • LeeandShirley
    LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
    #5
    LeeandShirley said:

    Thanks
    Thank you both for your kind words. Lee has a doctors appointment on Monday to go over the PET scan. Maybe it's not so bad afterall. I was thinking too far ahead, and not sticking to my, "One day at a time", philosophy. Keep your fingers crossed, as I will.
    Shirley

    Pet scan results
    We have just come back from the oncologist's office and he told us of the results of the PET scan. Not as bad as I thought, but there has been recurrence of Lee's liver tumors and enlarged lymph nodes and two "new" areas of tumor growth. Mainly to the bones. Lee will begin new rounds of chemo this Monday and we will be getting MRI's to the back and head to dx the bone mets and try to find a reason for his weak condition and his balance problem. So my dear friends, things are going to be treated and addressed, with more chemo and possibly more radiation. Such is the course for the cancer patient and their caregivers. We are all familiar with this, if we have been "living with cancer", for a long time. Will update in the future on Lee's progress. My love goes out to all those who live with cancer day to day and survive.
  • Olgs
    Olgs Member Posts: 10
    #6
    LeeandShirley said:

    Pet scan results
    We have just come back from the oncologist's office and he told us of the results of the PET scan. Not as bad as I thought, but there has been recurrence of Lee's liver tumors and enlarged lymph nodes and two "new" areas of tumor growth. Mainly to the bones. Lee will begin new rounds of chemo this Monday and we will be getting MRI's to the back and head to dx the bone mets and try to find a reason for his weak condition and his balance problem. So my dear friends, things are going to be treated and addressed, with more chemo and possibly more radiation. Such is the course for the cancer patient and their caregivers. We are all familiar with this, if we have been "living with cancer", for a long time. Will update in the future on Lee's progress. My love goes out to all those who live with cancer day to day and survive.

    Pet scares
    Thank you very much for the update. It is good to know that things are better than you expected, although I understand there are still a lot to be addressed. I'm sure that with your attitude you will make it just fine. Actually I was really waiting for your answer about the PET scan. My father with his HCC has to get his done. After his resection and several embolizations his AFP is really growing. Now it is over 5000 ng. With this number a month ago he has had a recent embolization that didn't really show a lot of tumors or any really large tumors, just the same 2 tumors around 1cm and 1 tumor around 4 cm, and they were treated successfully. So now there is no understanding where does this huge figure come from. And you know Shirley where we live (St.Petersburg Russia) it is very complicated to get a PET scan, really. I mean there is a waiting line to get into the hospital and get a scan - this is for people who have no time and who have to start treatment a.s.a.p. And this doubles my worries. But I will try to stick to the attitude you've been telling us about. I hope Lee's treatment will be effective!
  • LeeandShirley
    LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
    #7
    Olgs said:

    Pet scares
    Thank you very much for the update. It is good to know that things are better than you expected, although I understand there are still a lot to be addressed. I'm sure that with your attitude you will make it just fine. Actually I was really waiting for your answer about the PET scan. My father with his HCC has to get his done. After his resection and several embolizations his AFP is really growing. Now it is over 5000 ng. With this number a month ago he has had a recent embolization that didn't really show a lot of tumors or any really large tumors, just the same 2 tumors around 1cm and 1 tumor around 4 cm, and they were treated successfully. So now there is no understanding where does this huge figure come from. And you know Shirley where we live (St.Petersburg Russia) it is very complicated to get a PET scan, really. I mean there is a waiting line to get into the hospital and get a scan - this is for people who have no time and who have to start treatment a.s.a.p. And this doubles my worries. But I will try to stick to the attitude you've been telling us about. I hope Lee's treatment will be effective!

    Dear Olgs
    So sorry you and your father have had to deal with this disease. And also to deal with the slow processes of healthcare in your country. It must be doubly stressful. If I could do or say anything that would ease your burden, I would. I can only say, don't give up and take the best care of your father that you can, until he has his scan. Tender loving care can go a long way toward keeping the tumors at bay. I will be thinking of you both and praying for a remission. Lee and I continue to live everyday as if it is our last and we continue to "live" with cancer. I know I say that alot. But, it is my mantra and it has worked well. Lee is alive past the point that his oncologist thought he would be. His doc has even suggested that since the chemo worked in the past, that there is no reason why it shouldn't again. Thank you for your interest in our progress and I will keep updating.
  • LeeandShirley
    LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
    #8
    LeeandShirley said:

    Dear Olgs
    So sorry you and your father have had to deal with this disease. And also to deal with the slow processes of healthcare in your country. It must be doubly stressful. If I could do or say anything that would ease your burden, I would. I can only say, don't give up and take the best care of your father that you can, until he has his scan. Tender loving care can go a long way toward keeping the tumors at bay. I will be thinking of you both and praying for a remission. Lee and I continue to live everyday as if it is our last and we continue to "live" with cancer. I know I say that alot. But, it is my mantra and it has worked well. Lee is alive past the point that his oncologist thought he would be. His doc has even suggested that since the chemo worked in the past, that there is no reason why it shouldn't again. Thank you for your interest in our progress and I will keep updating.

    Scary is real
    Lee has become too weak to continue with chemo. Hospice has been called in because of the extreme pain Lee is experiencing. The tumor on his spine is pressing on his spinal cord and giving him siatia pain X 100 and weakening his legs so much that he can no longer walk.. He is now being made comfortable with morphine and steroids and a nerve pain med. We will continue to live with cancer for just a short while now. Please send prayers to God in heaven to be merciful. Thank you to all the caring friends who have responded to these posts.
  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #9
    LeeandShirley said:

    Scary is real
    Lee has become too weak to continue with chemo. Hospice has been called in because of the extreme pain Lee is experiencing. The tumor on his spine is pressing on his spinal cord and giving him siatia pain X 100 and weakening his legs so much that he can no longer walk.. He is now being made comfortable with morphine and steroids and a nerve pain med. We will continue to live with cancer for just a short while now. Please send prayers to God in heaven to be merciful. Thank you to all the caring friends who have responded to these posts.

    Praying very hard
    Shirley,
    I am so very sorry to hear of Lee's condition. I will include you both in my prayers and ask God to be merciful that Lee and you not suffer any more than is absolutely necessary. Your support for this group of Cancer fighters has been so inspiring and I pray that we can support you both in your time of need. God doesn't give us anything we can't handle, but it is hard to believe that, when we or a loved one are suffering so much. May God bless you both with his mercy.
  • northa914
    northa914 Member Posts: 100
    #10
    LeeandShirley said:

    Scary is real
    Lee has become too weak to continue with chemo. Hospice has been called in because of the extreme pain Lee is experiencing. The tumor on his spine is pressing on his spinal cord and giving him siatia pain X 100 and weakening his legs so much that he can no longer walk.. He is now being made comfortable with morphine and steroids and a nerve pain med. We will continue to live with cancer for just a short while now. Please send prayers to God in heaven to be merciful. Thank you to all the caring friends who have responded to these posts.

    Praying very hard too
    I'm praying for you both! Praying that Lee doesn't suffer and for strength for you, Shirley. And I'll continue to pray for a miracle, because they do happen! Sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs your way! Your uplifting spirit and your perseverence have definitely left a mark on this world. You both are amazing!!!

    Andrea
  • Lizystar
    Lizystar Member Posts: 17
    #11
    LeeandShirley said:

    Scary is real
    Lee has become too weak to continue with chemo. Hospice has been called in because of the extreme pain Lee is experiencing. The tumor on his spine is pressing on his spinal cord and giving him siatia pain X 100 and weakening his legs so much that he can no longer walk.. He is now being made comfortable with morphine and steroids and a nerve pain med. We will continue to live with cancer for just a short while now. Please send prayers to God in heaven to be merciful. Thank you to all the caring friends who have responded to these posts.

    Shirley,
    My heart goes out
    Shirley,

    My heart goes out to you! Your story has been such an inspiration and has given me hope when I felt lost. You both are in my prayers, and I hope you stay strong and live this time with Lee in love and peace.

    - Lizy
  • blueheaven56
    blueheaven56 Member Posts: 18
    #12
    LeeandShirley
    I was saddened to read your post. I pray that Lee be released from his misery and strength for you for now and the days ahead.

    I've been following your posts (lurking) since I've started this road with my husband who also has liver cancer and have been quietly supporting you with prayers and good thoughts. I wish this didn't sound so much like a platitude, heaven knows we hear them constantly. Much love to you and Lee.

    Susan
  • LeeandShirley
    LeeandShirley Member Posts: 122 Member
    #13
    blueheaven56 said:

    LeeandShirley
    I was saddened to read your post. I pray that Lee be released from his misery and strength for you for now and the days ahead.

    I've been following your posts (lurking) since I've started this road with my husband who also has liver cancer and have been quietly supporting you with prayers and good thoughts. I wish this didn't sound so much like a platitude, heaven knows we hear them constantly. Much love to you and Lee.

    Susan

    Dear Blueheaven
    Thank you for your prayers and blessings, (not at all platitudes). So many people have been following Lee's journey and it amazes me how many total strangers care so much. But, then, this is what this site does best. Bringing people with similar thoughts, feelings and situations together to support each other. Much love; and prayers will go out to you and your husband this evening, too. Bless you for caring and having the compassion to let me know. Thank you.
    Shirley

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