Scan

Denis,
I know the anxiety is
Denis,
I know the anxiety is overwhelming....but I pray that you can just push it back and enjoy the weekend. I will be thinking and praying for you come Monday. Stay strong and know you're not alone ! Katie

D Lewis said:

Hoping for the best for you, Denis
and I'm lined up right behind you. I see my Stanford doc on Monday, and we'll be discussing when to schedule my next PET-CT. The last one showed two 4 mm nodules in one of the lobes of my lung. I'm hoping NOT to have the same fight with Anthem Blue Cross as I did for my last scan.

Deb

pesky nodules
Not every nodule turns into cancer although I certainly understand that they have to be monitored closely. I have multiple scattered nodules in the 4mm range, at least that is how the scans describe them. Three years now and no change. You have to forget the NED thing and just accept that you are going to be a "no change person" otherwise it will wear on you. I also have gone through the insurance company fight being denied scans the time before last. That made the next scan even more of an anxiety event because it was drawn out further. I empathize.

look
look at it this way, the scan and results will show and confirm what you been thinking, there is no change in size and does not light up.

i treat all mine as confirmation of what i believe

john

denistd said:

Back from Hershey
Well I had my scans today, had them in the morning and met with the oncologist early afternoon. He brought the scans up an a big screen and walked me through what I was seeing, bottom line is all clear, pointed out the tiny tiny speck that is the nodule and said it is
absolutely nothing to worry about, probably minor scar tissue left from an infection. This doctor is great, he, and his nurse Holly always take the time to thoroughly explain the situation, he does not sugar coat any thing nor does he downplay a possible bad situation, but he was emphatic. See you next September he said. Thanks to all of you, pillars of stone as usual. Denis

whoo hoo!
That's terrific news!

Clean Scan!
Great news Denis. I'll bet that's a huge relief. Enjoy the NED. Cheers.

Jimbo

denistd said:

Scans
Thanks guys, it always makes me feel better when pro's like yourselves post. The nodule was found during a nuclear scan of my heart, these type of scans are great, no catheter just inject whatever it is into the arteries and watch it flow, no buildup so was happy with that, carotid arteries in good shape as well. But in the course of this scan the nodule showed up. The doctor at my local hospital said to wait six months and get another scan, but he emphasized that he was a cardiologist and not an onco. I got a copy of the scan and took it to my Onco guy at Penn State Hershey, he said he was not concerned and we would stick to our scheduled annual check this coming Monday. I said will it be a pet scan? and he said no, just a regular cat scan with no contrast (kidneys not in the best shape thanks to the cisplatin)Thanks for the encouragement. Denis

Hi Denis
I discussed follow-up scans with my Stanford doc today. After scoping me, and squeezing my neck, and jamming his fingers down my throat, he pronounced me to be just fine. He stated that at nearly 2 1/2 years out from end of treatment, the likelihood of my cancer returning at its original site was remote. I actually face a greater likelihood that I would experience a metastasis to my lungs. He, too, was quite unconcerned about the nodules in my lungs, and stated that just about everyone has some. The goal is to monitor them to make sure they don't change. He is not currently proposing a PET-CT to do that. He says that a CT will provide adequate information and will be more likely to be allowed by my Anthem Blue Cross insurance. He's going to start working on that immediately, so that if they say no, he's got time to appeal and still get the scan in before the end of the year (as I have already met my deductible). This group really goes the extra mile for me. I am comfortable with his recommendations.

Deb

Jimbo55 said:

Clean Scan!
Great news Denis. I'll bet that's a huge relief. Enjoy the NED. Cheers.

Jimbo

Congrats!
These are just great news! It really gives hope!! Enjoy your life right now! I'm so happy for you!!

Vanessa

denistd said:

Back from Hershey
Well I had my scans today, had them in the morning and met with the oncologist early afternoon. He brought the scans up an a big screen and walked me through what I was seeing, bottom line is all clear, pointed out the tiny tiny speck that is the nodule and said it is
absolutely nothing to worry about, probably minor scar tissue left from an infection. This doctor is great, he, and his nurse Holly always take the time to thoroughly explain the situation, he does not sugar coat any thing nor does he downplay a possible bad situation, but he was emphatic. See you next September he said. Thanks to all of you, pillars of stone as usual. Denis

Rock On...
Great news Denis.....

Thoughts, Prayers, Hopes and Dreams do work....

Best,
John