Latest CT Scan Results

AZANNIE said:

Martha

I'm on the bus too - destination - NED for you!

 

Ann

 

Thank you so very much!  I am trying to keep NED on my mind and think positively.  I hope you are doing well!  Thanks again for the good wishes!

sephie said:

should i be worried

martha,   i decided NOT to let them do another CT on me last march ....which was my 4.5 year mark after tx..... i am just going to stay with my decision but i will not have any more CT's from MD Anderson unless i feel something or have other symptoms......of course, by the time you notice something , it is a little late..... oh well....were you not at the 5 year mark or longer????    .sephie

I am actually coming up to the 6-year survivor mark on September 9th. (my last day of treatment in 2008).  I do believe that I am being scanned more than most people and I attribute that to the fact that my next door neighbor, who is also one of my best friends, is a radiologist AND a cancer survivor himself.  He and my oncologist are buds and I think I am getting more attention than most of their patients.  I am not trying to brag here--it was pure luck that I happened to buy a house next to a doctor who is one of the most wonderful human beings on earth!  I feel very fortunate that he cares so much and wants me to not succumb to this disease.  All that said, I have to add that I have many times had feelings of guilt over all of this because I know other people are not being monitored as closely.  The amount of radiation I've gotten over the years concerns me also, and I was all ready to tell my oncologist after this recent CT scan that I would not undergo anymore scans, unless like you said, there was a good reason.  When the CT results showed a couple areas of concern, I quickly tabled the discussion of no more scans. 

This all brings up the debate that we've discussed here many times--when to scan, how often to scan, when to quit, etc.  Do the benefits of scans outweigh the risks?  I just don't know the answer to that one.  But based on my own experience, I would have to say that I'm glad I had the scan recently so that if something is sinister with my liver, we can hopefully get it before it's too late.  I also would like to say that I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Mac and my oncologist.  Now is the time to trust in their knowledge and experience and I know they have my best interest at heart.

gabby_ca said:

Best wishes to u and your

Best wishes to u and your upcoming scan. How long have you been Ned for now? The waiting is awful. Next month I am EIGHT years Ned and I decided 3 years ago that unless I am symptomatic, I am done with checkups. I work for a radiation oncologist with his horses and he supports my decision In this matter ;-) I am sure all is well. If it's not, you are strong and we will b here for you. 

Thanks so much for the good thoughts.  I count my NED date as September 9th. every year and this year, it will be 6 years.  I really did not want to have this scan, but went ahead with it, vowing to have a serious conversation with my med onc about it being my last.  Now this!  I have the PET on Monday and see him on Wednesday to discuss the results.  I am hoping with all my heart that this turns out to be nothing.  Of course, if it's not, then I will undergo biopsy.  I just don't need this!  I am trying to make sure my 89-year old mother is well-cared for in an assisted living home 600 miles away from where I live.  She has dementia and I try to go visit her as often as I can.  Also, my husband had planned to retire (again) at the end of this year so we could actually do some of the fun things retired people do.  Any sinister findings could change all that.  I am staying busy, distraction can be a very good thing.  My house and yard are in the best shape right now!  Let's hope I am too!  The funny thing is I do feel really good, so perhaps that's a good sign.  I hope you are doing well!  Thanks again for the encouragement!

Martha

Krissy59 said:

Just curious, Martha

Have you had any symptoms (even vague ones) that would have made you thought something might be going on? I am also concerned that if I ignore something then I will miss something important but I also don't want to complain about everything and be like the boy that cried wolf!

I have to say that I have been feeling very good as of late.  I am sleeping much better these days because my husband (who is a snorer) sleeps in the guest room so that I can sleep better.  It's not the best arrangement, but we both realized that I was very sleep deprived and that was not good!  I will have to say that I sometimes get little pinches of pain on my right side under my rib cage.  However, since my experience with the intestinal blockage I've always attributed this pain to things just perhaps being bogged down a little going through my digestive system.  I brought this up with my oncologist last week and he assured me that this would not be caused by cancer in my liver.  I still wonder and I guess I'm about to find out after Monday's scan.  Like you, I do not want to freak out about each and every little pain.  If this scan had not been scheduled as a follow-up, I would never even have thought about having another scan. 

Gulamin said:

Thinking of you

And sending lots of positive energy and healing thoughts for a good outcome. You always are on all of our sides. Thinking of you. 

OMG--Thank you so much for the good thoughts!  I have missed seeing you on here and I hope all is well.  I appreciate you thinking of me.  I am trying to keep on the positive side and knowing that so many people are holding me in their thoughts certainly helps! 

TraceyUSA said:

I'm on the bus too....

Good Luck tomorrow (& Wednesday), Martha!  I pray that all comes back clear.

Positive thoughts,

Tracey

(Kathie - I love the bus!)

Thanks so much!  I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts!  I hope you are doing well and enjoying a lovely Sunday!

mxperry220 said:

I will Be Thinking of You Monday

I will be thinking of you Monday.   You have been and still are an invaluable source of information and comfort to people on this blog.  I just know your test results will be normal Monday.

Mike

Thank you so much for your kind words and good thoughts.  I hope I will soon have good news to report on my scan results.  I hope you're doing well and I thank you for all of your support.

z810840b said:

hi martha

i was totally blown away when i saw your post...im sure you are fine.I havent had any scans since the first year after treatment.Ugh...i can't stand this.I hate that you must be scared...Brings ups all those scary thoughts.I am sending you postive thoughts!! i know in my heart you are good! Hugs martha...

Thank you so much--as we know the waiting is the worst!  I hope to have results by tomorrow, then I'll see my oncologist on Wednesday.  Hopefully, we can wrap up this latest worry!  You are very sweet for thinking of me--I really appreciate it!  Hugs!