I'm questioning my good results.

plh4gail
plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
edited September 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
When I had my onc appt last week for the first time since chemo ended in May, I was told everything was good. Well I did not look at the papers. Today I got copies of my CT and lab work and there was nothing like tumors but there were a few things that I don't understand. On the CT it said spleen mildly prominent and mild free fluid in pelvis.Why would my spleen be enlarged? Even mildly, and why the fluid? It also said unable to visualize rectal sigmoid area possibly due to radiation and suggested repeating the study with oral dye to better visualize the area. .....Also on my labs, my lymphs are still very low, 0.7. And my electrolytes are abnormal, sodium is only 121 and potassium is 3. These are low and I know that it's not in a normal range.He didn't even mention any of this and I'm not happy about it. It makes me wonder if there is a reason my body is not working right. I know it's not saying anything about recurring "you know what"...but...just sayin that onc said everything was good when he meant that he gets paid to say that.

rant, vent, whine, b***h, complain,.....ok I'm finished. For now.

Comments

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #2
    Hi Gail
    Hi Gail,
    Can you get back in with the doc and bring your report. You are a smart woman and you deserve to have your doc explain things to you. Hope you get in there and get some peace.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #3
    Congratulations on your good
    Congratulations on your good report. I am sure your doctor would take time to re-review the results but my untrained opinion might be that the chemo is still affecting your body. Lisa
  • relaxoutdoors08
    relaxoutdoors08 Member Posts: 521 Member
    #4
    Thinking of You
    Gail,
    I know that all my liver functions were abnormal when I finished chemo in April and My Onc. said all OK. With each 3 month checkup and with the blood tests I talked my GP into getting for me, the levels are moving into the normal range. They found on the scans an enlarged ovary on the same side I had my colon removed so they said I could wait for three months since it had been the same size since I started chemo 6 months before. I decided not to wait for three months and then have an ultrasound so I moved it up and did it last month. Word is all OK. These scans find things in our body that we may have had all along. If your Onc. says it is OK then you just need to clarify with him that it is OK.

    Proud of you to get copies of all your scans and take charge of your health. I plan to do the same.

    Prayers for continued good news.
    NB
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    #5
    K
    Potassium was way lower than yours, had to have RX K (potassium).
    My peeps were worrey that my heart would suffer from the low K.

    Mark
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #6
    Hey Gail
    Had internet issues for a week or so and missed this. Sorry.

    Not sure where you are with your menstral cycle but it can lead to free fluid in the pelvic area and is very normal. A mildly prominent spleen can be caused by an infection or put in other words, an attack on your white blood cells, much like chemo could cause.

    Hopefully you've reached out to your onc. about this but I betting your body is working just as it should and will just take awhile to heal from what it has been thru.

    I am concerned about why they didn't do oral contrast with your scan. That seems like a waste of effort to me. Try to make sure they do oral and IV contrast the next time, it is the best way to keep an eye on things.

    Lastly I am really pleased to see you read and question your test results. I have always felt empowered knowing my results and what they really meant. You go girl!!!

    Lisa P.
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #7
    You deserve answers to these questions..
    You can always call your doctor to ask questions and they will either answer them on the phone or have you come in. I know that in my experience, it takes awhile for your body to get back to normal after chemo. I was expecting to be back to normal once the chemo was done but it actually took about a year for my bloodwork to be back close to the way it was. Your doctor said everything looks good, meaning considering you just finished chemo....but you should definately call and ask your questions just to rest your mind so that you can feel like it really is good news and worth feeling good about! Take good care!
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #8
    my lymphs are 0.5 so at least yours are not to lowest
    Hi Gail,I always have ct with contrast, why get the radiation exposure and not the visibility.
    Glad your checkup was clearhugs,vi am trying to build my lymphocytes up with magic mushrooms.
    Pete
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #9
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    my lymphs are 0.5 so at least yours are not to lowest
    Hi Gail,I always have ct with contrast, why get the radiation exposure and not the visibility.
    Glad your checkup was clearhugs,vi am trying to build my lymphocytes up with magic mushrooms.
    Pete

    I had contrast Pete.

    I had contrast Pete.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #10
    I know that I probably should be more interested in the paperwork that comes with the scans but I'm not. My pain control doc once looked at a scan report (I didn't ask him to, it just happened during a visit) and he said it looked ok to him. So I was feeling good about that. The following week I saw my oncologist and then found out I needed either an operation or an RFA. I don't recall exactly right now. I did let him know the next time I met with him that I did not like what had happened and to please make sure it doesn't happen again.

    The times I tried to read the reports, I was offended that my liver and other body parts were "not remarkable" in the terminology they used. I happen to think my liver is incredibly remarkable. So does my Mom!
    :-)
    I guess my point is that I leave the deciphering of the scan reports to those who know how to interpret them. I most always like to actually see my scan and also compare it to previous scans when it's helpful. I also ask how my liver or whatever other body parts I'm interested in.

    It sounds to me Gail that it would be in your best interest to have a copy of your report before you see your Onc so you can go over the details and have him/her explain why your spleen might be enlarged.
    All the best
    -p
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #11
    Talk!
    Talk to your oncologist! Praying there's nothing to worry about (I believe that to be true!).

    *hugs*
    Gail

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