CT Results

CheeseQueen57

Well, CT results are in:

1. History of endometrial cancer with enlarged left external iliac and
left para-aortic retroperitoneal nodes that are highly suspicious for
nodal involvement.

Prominent right external iliac aortocaval lymph nodes
are also worrisome for nodal spread of disease.

im taking this as NOT good news. Remarkably the results were posted on the patient portal for me to see and no doctor has spoken to me yet about these results. I'm a little annoyed. I emailed on Friday and I called this morning but as yet, no one has called me back. My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday.

I plan to call the nurse advocate a n a half hour if I haven't got a call back. Am I wrong to think someone should have call d me regarding these results?

DrienneB

CT Scans

This is rough. I'm hoping you get to speak with your doctor soon. I confess that I have not liked it that my own doctors wait until after I've met with them before posting the radiology reports, but perhaps that is better. Maybe you can prepare yourself with questions. Sorry you are going through this.

-j

ConnieSW

DrienneB said:

CT Scans

This is rough. I'm hoping you get to speak with your doctor soon. I confess that I have not liked it that my own doctors wait until after I've met with them before posting the radiology reports, but perhaps that is better. Maybe you can prepare yourself with questions. Sorry you are going through this.

-j

Heard anything

yet?

EZLiving66

All my oncologist told me

All my oncologist told me after my CT scan was that the cancer hadn't spread (I had the scan after my hysterectomy).  My GP, however, went over the results with me in detail and told me I had a few fatty spots on my liver and some small pockets in my colon.  She said at my age, 63, it wasn't surprising, but it was something she would keep an eye on.  She said oncologists are concerned with curing cancer and don't look at the whole you.  That's why she was the one who put the final halt on anymore chemo.

I would talk to your advocate too if your doctor doesn't call you. 

Love,

Eldri

Gardena

CheeseQueen57

I'm sorry you're seeing the results wo consultation first.  When you spesk to your doc ask if he/she will be removing the suspicious nodes during surgery. I had nodule involvement (found during radical hysterectomy) and they were removed). I had the tumor in my uterus but it had not spread to any other lady part. Due to nodal involvement I started chemo (taxol/carbo) 3 weeks after surgery. I had six infusions 3 weeks apart. I had a CT scan after my 6th infusion and all nodes are normal in size. My onco team discussed imrt external beam radiation, coupled w low dose chemo (cisplatin) in an effort to reduce chance of reoccurrance from 60% to 30% to 8% chance. As much as I am fearful of radiation and any long term affects, I'm doing the radiation and chemo. I start the 3rd phase of my treatment the week of March 21st. I guess what I'm trying to say in this long winded response is, don't worry about what you're reading in your CT scan report.  There is a protocol for dealing w various scenarios. What I've learned thru my experience and the experiences of others on this board is you have to have faith and trust in your doctors, and if you don't,  find new ones.  Educate yourself but do not believe everything you read on line and most importantly,  believe in yourself. You will find you are stronger than you ever thought possible.  I hope you speak w your doctor's soon~

CheeseQueen57

No call today

Well, no call today.  I'm a little disappointed to say the least.  I did put a call in to my doctor's nurse, who had assured me via email that the doctor was in surgery until late afternoon today and would get back to me. Perhaps there were complications.    I'm sure they are all gone for the day now.  Needless to say, it does not instill confidence, so I am trying to remain postive and realize that this really makes no difference to my surgery (she had said she was going to take lymph nodes) and is only an issue for my peace of mind.  In fact, she may not have even read the report yet since my surgery isn't until Thursday and I'm sure they just deal with what's in front of them.

Thanks for letting me vent and all the support.  I know this is not a good development and not sure why it seems so important to hear it from the doctor.  My best friend was just laughing with me wondering if I'll hear about the final pathology outcome after my surgery from the patient portal ( though not really funny, right?). 

However, if this is a preview of communication style of this facility, I very well may consider treatment at another place, which as just as stellar as a repuation. 

Unknown

I saw my results on the patient portal also

I read both the biopsy and final pathology report on my GP's patient portal before any doctor had called me.  I then called my oncologist asking if he had the final results (which of course he had) and he called me back shortly with the news.  I prefer to know as soon as possible, so I didn't panic when I read the reports. Of course the scans are only preliminary and don't panic yet.  You won't really know until the final pathology report after surgery comes in.  Even if you have nodes involved, it is my understanding that it doesn't matter if they are pelvic or peri, both are considered a spread of the cancer outside the uterus.  Hugs Nancy

CheeseQueen57

Doctor Just Called-Feeling much better

My doctor just called me (at 8:59 PM!).  Also gave me her cell phone number.  I'm feeling much better now.  She said enlarged nodes don't necessarily mean as bad as I thought, but I'm still thinking cautiously.  But I'm glad she finally called me back.  Thanks for all the encouragement, though, gals.  I'm sure I'm just getting the pre-surgery and fear of the unknown jitters.  I need to manage this a little better.

 

 

EZLiving66

CheeseQueen57 said:

Doctor Just Called-Feeling much better

My doctor just called me (at 8:59 PM!).  Also gave me her cell phone number.  I'm feeling much better now.  She said enlarged nodes don't necessarily mean as bad as I thought, but I'm still thinking cautiously.  But I'm glad she finally called me back.  Thanks for all the encouragement, though, gals.  I'm sure I'm just getting the pre-surgery and fear of the unknown jitters.  I need to manage this a little better.

 

 

I'm so glad she called you

I'm so glad she called you back, CQ!!!  (((CheeseQueen57)))  Waiting is the worst:  Waiting for surgery; waiting for test results; waiting for treatment; waiting for our side effects to get better.....  You can do this!!

Love,

Eldri

molimoli

CheeseQueen57 said:

Doctor Just Called-Feeling much better

My doctor just called me (at 8:59 PM!).  Also gave me her cell phone number.  I'm feeling much better now.  She said enlarged nodes don't necessarily mean as bad as I thought, but I'm still thinking cautiously.  But I'm glad she finally called me back.  Thanks for all the encouragement, though, gals.  I'm sure I'm just getting the pre-surgery and fear of the unknown jitters.  I need to manage this a little better.

 

 

So sorry the report isn't what you hoped.

Please find a way to minimize panic,I know it's hard but can be done ,just convince yourself that panic changes or alters nothing but blood pressure, nothing at all, take deep breaths ,gather your thoughts and get some sleep, you will see things in a different light tomorrow or the tomorrow after that.The surgeons will do what is necessary during your surgery, get the surgery and the surgical report behind you then you can plot the path you'll take from an informed position.

Moli-wishing worry and panic away from you today onward.

Hybridspirits

CheeseQueen57 said:

Doctor Just Called-Feeling much better

My doctor just called me (at 8:59 PM!).  Also gave me her cell phone number.  I'm feeling much better now.  She said enlarged nodes don't necessarily mean as bad as I thought, but I'm still thinking cautiously.  But I'm glad she finally called me back.  Thanks for all the encouragement, though, gals.  I'm sure I'm just getting the pre-surgery and fear of the unknown jitters.  I need to manage this a little better.

 

 

enlarged nodes

I had enlarged nodes on first cat scan,  in surgery none were cancerous and had 72 removed and tested.  After treatment on my first CT Scan reported again enlarged nodes,  decided on an MRI follow up. I also decided with my naturopath oncologist to give up Gluten,  Bingo no more enlarged nodes.  A radiologist reports what he sees.  many reasons for enlarged nodes.  Could be as simple as an infection.  Hang in there.

MoeKay

I'm glad your gyn-onc got

I'm glad your gyn-onc got back to you yesterday evening about your CT results.  As I said in another post, I didn't have a pre-surgery CT, but at the time of surgery, my gyn-onc found "palpably enlarged lymph nodes in the obturatur fossa on the left side, and large, but not overly large, nodes on the right side."  (I'm taking this language from my Operative Report.)  My gyn-onc performed a bilateral paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, removing 30 lymph nodes.  On pathology, all 30 were found to be benign.  Here's hoping that the lymph nodes reported as being enlarged on your CT are also benign!  Maybe it's just me, but I've had enough screwy things reported on imaging studies over the years that I really don't put that much faith in radiology reports anymore.   From what your gyn-onc said, it sounds like she may not either. 

Good luck with your surgery on Thursday and wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

EZLiving66

MoeKay said:

I'm glad your gyn-onc got

I'm glad your gyn-onc got back to you yesterday evening about your CT results.  As I said in another post, I didn't have a pre-surgery CT, but at the time of surgery, my gyn-onc found "palpably enlarged lymph nodes in the obturatur fossa on the left side, and large, but not overly large, nodes on the right side."  (I'm taking this language from my Operative Report.)  My gyn-onc performed a bilateral paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, removing 30 lymph nodes.  On pathology, all 30 were found to be benign.  Here's hoping that the lymph nodes reported as being enlarged on your CT are also benign!  Maybe it's just me, but I've had enough screwy things reported on imaging studies over the years that I really don't put that much faith in radiology reports anymore.   From what your gyn-onc said, it sounds like she may not either. 

Good luck with your surgery on Thursday and wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

MoeKay, I see you've been on

MoeKay, I see you've been on this forum for 14 years.  How are you doing???

Love,

Eldri