PET Scan Update

derMaus
derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I had my much-dreaded PET scan on November 6th. I was a nervous wreck since my last scan was a CT in May, done at the end of chemo and before starting radiation. I got a nasty surprise when that found mets in my retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Since I'd actually managed to grow *new* cancer while on carboplatin and taxol, they decided to start me on radiation but expand the field to include the entire abdomen, followed by bracytherapy. That 2 months of not-fun that ended in August, when bracy was so bad that they only gave me two courses rather than 3. I had chronic UTI's, one of which landed me in the hospital for 4 days with severe sepsis, so I, like SandyD, was prepared for bad news. I didn't get completely good news, but it feel great compared to what I was expecting: the tumor shrunk over 80% and nothing else lit up, halleliuah. The oncologist is taking my case to tumor board, as I'm arguing for CyberKnife to eliminate the remaining tumor, while he's taking a more 'wait and see' approach. I'm to have another PET in January to determine if the tumor has shrunk anymore from residual radiation or if, god forbid, something new has started growing. So, for now, I'm not out of the woods but the trees are definitely much thinner and I can see a little light between them. Thank you all for your support and your good advice, especially about supplements and Metformin, which I truly think had an impact on containing this crappy illness.

Comments

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #2
    Cautiously Good News

    We do look for thinner trees these days don’t we. Hang in there. 

  • barnyardgal
    barnyardgal Member Posts: 272 Member
    edited November 2017 #3
    I'm glad the news is better

    I'm glad the news is better than you thought.

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    #4
    It's good to know progress is

    It's good to know progress is being made in the right direction, but I'm sure you were hoping for NED after all you've been through so far. You sure are a scrapper (and it's just so wrong that you've needed to be) and I can't blame you for wanting to get the rest of that tumor out of you with the Cyber Knife. It's easier for someone else to say "Let's wait and see" than it is to be the person with that cloud hanging over your head. Keep on being scrappy, we're all rooting for you to have your dance with NED sooner rather than later.

  • Jairoldi
    Jairoldi Member Posts: 221 Member
    #5
    Progress

    It is good to hear that progress was made. Thanks for sharing.

  • takingcontrol58
    takingcontrol58 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #6
    Stay the course

    DerMaus,
    When I finished my 6 treatments of Taxol/Carbo, I still had 2cm of tumors remaining.  I refused more chemo.
    I remained on my supplements, metformin and aspirin and continued my healthy diet and two months later I
    was completely cancer free, and have remained so ever since.

    I believe once you get to a small amount of cancer, your own immune system can get rid of it. We make cancer
    cells every day in our bodies- about 1% of new cells created everyday are cancer cells but our immune system gets rid
    of them and they don't go on to form new tumors. It sounds like your tumor is fairly small.

    You body could probably use the rest from treatment and may thank you for it by healing the rest of your tumor.

    Just keep the faith.

    Takingcontrol58

     

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,483 Member
    edited November 2017 #7
    I am so glad nothing new has

    I am so glad nothing new has developed and everything is going on the right direction.  Hopefully more good news in January!

    Love, 

    Eldri 

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    edited November 2017 #8
    Yeah!

    Here's hoping that soon you will be completely out of the woods and in a sunny meadow!

  • SF73
    SF73 Member Posts: 317 Member
    edited November 2017 #9
    How wonderful!

    Tumor shrinking 80%? It seems like all the troubles you had (severe sepsis? that sounds so scary) paid off. So glad that you responded well to the therapy. Good luck with the next steps. If it is operable and you are in good health in general, I would also argue for CyberKnife to reduce the cancer burden. I am sure you will research it well and pick the best strategy going forward. But you should definitely celebrate. So so happy for you! 

     

     

  • henhill
    henhill Member Posts: 123
    #10
    Keep moving forward

    I hope you will continue to hold your own

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    edited November 2017 #11
    That is really good news!

    That is really good news! Sending positive energy your way for an even better scan in January. Thanks for sharing with us!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • derMaus
    derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
    #12
    Thank You

    Thank you all for the kind words and support. "Scrappy", I like that! We're all scrappy or we wouldn't still be here, for sure. Happy Thansgiving to all !

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    edited November 2017 #13
    Wishing you the best

    Take good care of yourself and keep on keeping on.  Good news that there is nothing new.

    Suzanne

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