Pet Scan Anxiety!

Gamecocks
Gamecocks Member Posts: 30
in Kidney Cancer #1

New member. 66 year old, male.

Had partial via robotic surgery on May 13, 2013, which removed 4.5 tumor. Pathology report says Grade 4, Stage 1 sarcomatoid RCC. Father died of same disease, but mine was discovered early because of a freak fall in the woods. Have seen oncologist and he ordered Pet/chest CT, which is set for Wednesday.

Like many others here, life has been a whirlwind, with tests, surgery, now follow-up Pet Scan.

I am more anxious about Wednesday's Pet Scan than I was the surgery, but reading here makes me feel better. Guess I am on the roller coaster ride now as I have good days and bad days mentally.

 

The oncologist says the sarcomatoid finding makes him "nervous" so that's why the quick follow-up. Well, it's really making me nervous too, especially with the family history.

Just wanted to finally join up with this group as it is the very best site I have found for information and support.

Thank you all for being here for me...

 

Comments

  • Gamecocks
    Gamecocks Member Posts: 30
    #2
    Btw, have never had a Pet

    Btw, have never had a Pet Scan. Not great in the tubes. Any input on test would really help me. Am very anxious about being inn the tube for so long. Don't like small spaces!!

  • dhs1963
    dhs1963 Member Posts: 513
    #3
    Gamecocks said:

    Btw, have never had a Pet

    Btw, have never had a Pet Scan. Not great in the tubes. Any input on test would really help me. Am very anxious about being inn the tube for so long. Don't like small spaces!!

    PETSCAN

    They will place radioactive glucose into your blood (through a vein).  You will then rest for 45 minutes.  After that, they will scan you.  The idea is areas that are metabolically active (such as tumors) will jump out.  It is slow, but painless.  

     

    Hopefully, things will be clear. 

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #4
    dhs1963 said:

    PETSCAN

    They will place radioactive glucose into your blood (through a vein).  You will then rest for 45 minutes.  After that, they will scan you.  The idea is areas that are metabolically active (such as tumors) will jump out.  It is slow, but painless.  

     

    Hopefully, things will be clear. 

    Claustrophobia

    Welcome to this supportive environment, Gamecocks. 

    If your anxiety about the tube is likely to be a major problem, it might be worthwhile talking to a counsellor or a clinical psychologist and possibly trying hynotherapy to prepare you to put up with the tube without too much distress.

  • Gamecocks
    Gamecocks Member Posts: 30
    #5
    Texas_wedge said:

    Claustrophobia

    Welcome to this supportive environment, Gamecocks. 

    If your anxiety about the tube is likely to be a major problem, it might be worthwhile talking to a counsellor or a clinical psychologist and possibly trying hynotherapy to prepare you to put up with the tube without too much distress.

    How long does the actual scan

    How long does the actual scan last? Been reading various length of times on the net. Neighbor, who is an RN coping with breast cancer and chemo, says just take Ativan prior to scan..any thoughts?

    Again, I am more anxious about this test than I was the actual surgery as far as what the results may show too. Guess the actual scan will be no big deal, but waiting on the results will be hard.

  • Eims
    Eims Member Posts: 423
    #6
    Gamecocks said:

    How long does the actual scan

    How long does the actual scan last? Been reading various length of times on the net. Neighbor, who is an RN coping with breast cancer and chemo, says just take Ativan prior to scan..any thoughts?

    Again, I am more anxious about this test than I was the actual surgery as far as what the results may show too. Guess the actual scan will be no big deal, but waiting on the results will be hard.

    gamecocks ask your doc for a

    gamecocks ask your doc for a little relaxing pill before the scan...that may help...as we always say don't suffer if you don't have to!!  happy pills all the way my friend...

    eims x

  • DonMiller
    DonMiller Member Posts: 109
    #7
    Eims said:

    gamecocks ask your doc for a

    gamecocks ask your doc for a little relaxing pill before the scan...that may help...as we always say don't suffer if you don't have to!!  happy pills all the way my friend...

    eims x

    cancer surveillance

    I have a agree with Eims on this one.  Although I wasn't that anxious about the surgery I am a mess when it comes to the scans.  My next one is July 10th and I am already feel it coming on.  I don't feel real lucky these days and I know I am at severe risk for reoccurrence.  Fundamentally I am not as tough as I thought I was . I was hesitiant at first but 10Mg of valium pretty much solves the problem.  I know it's the easy way out..........but screw it.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #8
    Gamecocks said:

    How long does the actual scan

    How long does the actual scan last? Been reading various length of times on the net. Neighbor, who is an RN coping with breast cancer and chemo, says just take Ativan prior to scan..any thoughts?

    Again, I am more anxious about this test than I was the actual surgery as far as what the results may show too. Guess the actual scan will be no big deal, but waiting on the results will be hard.

    Scan

    Hi Gamecocks, 

    Eims is right, I suffer from claustrophobia and when having an MRI I always take an alprazolam relaxant about an hour before. Also it has been my experience both in the States and here in Europe to be given head phones so that I can listen to music. That helps to pass the time and distracts your mind.

    I hope that everything goes well for you and you do not have too long to wait for the results. This is never an easy thing to deal with, you will be in our thoughts on Wednesday.

     

    Djinnie x

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #9
    Djinnie said:

    Scan

    Hi Gamecocks, 

    Eims is right, I suffer from claustrophobia and when having an MRI I always take an alprazolam relaxant about an hour before. Also it has been my experience both in the States and here in Europe to be given head phones so that I can listen to music. That helps to pass the time and distracts your mind.

    I hope that everything goes well for you and you do not have too long to wait for the results. This is never an easy thing to deal with, you will be in our thoughts on Wednesday.

     

    Djinnie x

    Just do it

    Once in this club, all kinds of scarey stuff goes on. Scans, biopsies, drugs. And more. If you can just try to change your focus to the fact that this is all for your own good, it gets a litle easier. When I had a pet scan I had to be escorted down some hallway to a bathroom. The hall had radioactivity detectors which kept going off as I walked past them. Not a great confidence builder. But when I was done, I went out and played golf. Live on.

  • Gamecocks
    Gamecocks Member Posts: 30
    #10
    foxhd said:

    Just do it

    Once in this club, all kinds of scarey stuff goes on. Scans, biopsies, drugs. And more. If you can just try to change your focus to the fact that this is all for your own good, it gets a litle easier. When I had a pet scan I had to be escorted down some hallway to a bathroom. The hall had radioactivity detectors which kept going off as I walked past them. Not a great confidence builder. But when I was done, I went out and played golf. Live on.

    Thanks so much for the

    Thanks so much for the support/advice. Never realized that just posting my fears/concerns would make them almost go away! :) I already love this group and this is just my first day..

    As a mentor of mine always says: "Facing your fear is always easier than running from it.." I totally agree!

    thanks to all for just being there and offering your support and experience. Maybe one day I can do the same for a new guy..

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #11
    Gamecocks said:

    Thanks so much for the

    Thanks so much for the support/advice. Never realized that just posting my fears/concerns would make them almost go away! :) I already love this group and this is just my first day..

    As a mentor of mine always says: "Facing your fear is always easier than running from it.." I totally agree!

    thanks to all for just being there and offering your support and experience. Maybe one day I can do the same for a new guy..

    Thanks

    Maybe one day I can do the same for a new guy..

    You've got it in one - that's the deal here!

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    #12
    Texas_wedge said:

    Thanks

    Maybe one day I can do the same for a new guy..

    You've got it in one - that's the deal here!

    Well said TW!
    Gamecock, by

    Well said TW!

    Gamecock, by your name, I suspect you are in South Carolina.  I am a gamecock fan myself!

    You and I are on similar paths. I too am 66, had my surgery May 14, 2013, and resulted in a tumor that is T1b Grade 3.

    Take heart!  You are among a group of the finest people I have known. They/we are interested inyou and your well being. It matters to us all!  Like most families we have all kinds of people from your favorite cousin or grandpa to the reclusive argumentative uncle that everyone rolls their eyes at, but they are family anyway.  (I'll put myself in that category Tongue Out )

    We're sorry you had to come here, but we're damned glad to have ya!

    Jump in, the water is fine!

    Michael

  • Darron
    Darron Member Posts: 310 Member
    #13
    MDCinSC said:

    Well said TW!
    Gamecock, by

    Well said TW!

    Gamecock, by your name, I suspect you are in South Carolina.  I am a gamecock fan myself!

    You and I are on similar paths. I too am 66, had my surgery May 14, 2013, and resulted in a tumor that is T1b Grade 3.

    Take heart!  You are among a group of the finest people I have known. They/we are interested inyou and your well being. It matters to us all!  Like most families we have all kinds of people from your favorite cousin or grandpa to the reclusive argumentative uncle that everyone rolls their eyes at, but they are family anyway.  (I'll put myself in that category Tongue Out )

    We're sorry you had to come here, but we're damned glad to have ya!

    Jump in, the water is fine!

    Michael

    Charlotte

    Gamecock

    i am in Charlotte, not far up the road. Good luck with the scan. I have never had a PET scan, so I can't help you there...but I agree with others, better to use the meds. 

    "Better living thru chemistry"

  • Gamecocks
    Gamecocks Member Posts: 30
    #14
    Darron said:

    Charlotte

    Gamecock

    i am in Charlotte, not far up the road. Good luck with the scan. I have never had a PET scan, so I can't help you there...but I agree with others, better to use the meds. 

    "Better living thru chemistry"

    Pet problem solved

    Just got a script for Ativan...problem solved!

    And, yes, I am the most rabid South Carolina Gamecock in the world. Thank God this problem didn't come up during football season!!! 

    I attend all, and I mean ALL, home games in Columbia. Now that I have had cancer, I will go to all the AWAY games too!

    thanks again for everyone's advice and concern, I don't feel so alone anymore.

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    #15
    Gamecocks said:

    Pet problem solved

    Just got a script for Ativan...problem solved!

    And, yes, I am the most rabid South Carolina Gamecock in the world. Thank God this problem didn't come up during football season!!! 

    I attend all, and I mean ALL, home games in Columbia. Now that I have had cancer, I will go to all the AWAY games too!

    thanks again for everyone's advice and concern, I don't feel so alone anymore.

    Pick me up on your way!

    I'm just 90 minutes up the road in Greenwood!

    Yeah, there's some scary stuff in there! No doubt! BUT You and I aren't  spring chickens anymore and my favorite saying is that old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill every time!  We'll both be around a quite a while to follow the Gamecocks!

    I have to admit that I am very sad they didn't get to the College World Series this year.  But they sur e madelife fun for the last three!

    Peace

    Michael

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