Latest CT Scan Results

I had my date with the CT machine last Thursday afternoon and, other than a little bit of contrast seeping out of the IV, it was uneventful.  I had notified my friend, Dr. Mac, a radiologist where I had the scan, that I was being scanned and asked if it would be possible to get results prior to my appointment with my med onc on the 10th..  As is typical with Dr. Mac, he got the results later that day and when he called, I was highly anticipating an "all clear."  Instead, he asked if he could come over and sit out on our deck and "chat."  I could tell from the tone of his voice that perhaps there was something rotten in Denmark.  He told me he did not want to have any discussion about this scan over the phone, so over he came.  There were a couple of little blips to talk about.

The first was the fact that two pelvic (obturator) lymph nodes were swollen, one increasing in size from the previous study in June 2013 and one that appears to be new.  According to Dr. Mac, they are very small.  Now that I have the report in hand, the previously noted one on the right has increased in size from 1.2 x 0.5 cm to 1.7 x 0.7 cm.  The new one on the left measures 1.1 x 0.9 cm.  It is stated that they are difficult to visualize, due to lack of intra-abdominal fat, and metastatic disease cannot be completely excluded.  PET/CT for correlation is recommended.  Nowhere in the pelvic portion of the report is any mention of my nether regions (anus, rectum, etc.), so I guess we are to ASSume that all is well there.

The other blip is on the liver and is described as a "vague area of low-attenuation adjacent to the gallbladder fossa, which measures 1.4 x 2.5 cm, which is more apparent on today's study."  Now that wording, to me, sounds like this was seen on the previous study and has changed slightly from 1 x 2.1 cm one year ago.  All other organs in the abdomen are unremarkable and there was no evidence of any bowel obstruction.

Dr. Mac had already spoken with my med onc before he came over and they both agreed that a PET/CT was the next order of business.  When I saw my med onc yesterday, he was his usual laid-back self and didn't get too excited over any of these findings, but told me that we do need further evaluation to rule out anything sinister.  So, I now wait for the hospital to get approval from my insurance company for a PET/CT and call me to set the appointment.

I told my med onc that I hoped my insurance company would authorize this scan and he assured me they will, that he will see to it.  I won't go into detail, but he explained that he's not afraid to duke it out with insurance companies.  I don't think he'll go Mafia on them (lol!), but he promised me we'll get it done.

So there you have it.  Yes, there are lots of big words on this report, ones that I have not had time to yet look up.  But I am going with my oncologist's positive outlook on all of this.  He is an amazing man and we will get answers--hopefully, ones that will allow us to put this to rest.  I know I am in very good hands between him and Dr. Mac. 

I was ready to go to the mat with my oncologist and say "NO!" to further scans.  Well, that wrestling match has been put on hold and I must trust his judgment.  So once again, the "to scan or not to scan" debate comes up.  There seems to be no easy answers.

The only conclusion I can make at this point, based on this narrative report, is that all those abdominal crunches I've been doing over the years have paid off--a lack of intra-abdominal fat, a girl's dream come true.    And one more thing, cancer truly does suck--for all of us, it just plain sucks.  That said, I hope everyone is hanging in there and having the best day possible.  Love and hugs to you all.  I will keep everyone posted.

Martha