CAT Scan

kerry · October 2004

I just had my annual CT Scan and got the results. They did a complete chest, abdominal and pelvis scan. The results showed that I have scarring in my right lung (no evidence of mets)and what appears to be a granuloma on my speen. But no evidence of mets. It seems kind of bittersweet news - good news no mets, but what the heck does the other mean? The doctor says not to worry, but has scheduled me for a PET scan. I do occasionally find myself breathing a little harder to get a good breath (doctor says no concern) and have occasional discomfort where my spleen is located - also says "not to worry". Easier said than done - so off to the PET scan on Nov. 10.

It's seems like it is always something, as Gilda Radnor said.

Is anyone else familiar with lung scars or spleen granulomas? ]

Maybe a new doc is in order - who can provide better explanations.

Thanks all for the ears!

Take care.

Kerry

Unknown · October 2004

Hi Kerry. Not really familiar with spleen granulomas or lung scarring but Bert's CT has always shown spots on his lung which turned out to be calcifications. That's the reason, I think, for the PET...to make sure that nothing lights up. My mom has had a met to her hip bone since day one of diagnosis with lung cancer. This met has sat there, on the bone, not doing anything (good thing) and has been that way for two years. Don't worry to much. Do you trust your doctor???? This is a very important thing...trust and faith in the individual that is treating you. If you do, and he's not worried, then I wouldn't worry to much about it either. If you've always had your doubts, then yes, it's time for another doctor...if nothing else but to put your mind at rest. My two cents worth for the day.

Monika

littlejulie · October 2004

unknown said:
Hi Kerry. Not really familiar with spleen granulomas or lung scarring but Bert's CT has always shown spots on his lung which turned out to be calcifications. That's the reason, I think, for the PET...to make sure that nothing lights up. My mom has had a met to her hip bone since day one of diagnosis with lung cancer. This met has sat there, on the bone, not doing anything (good thing) and has been that way for two years. Don't worry to much. Do you trust your doctor???? This is a very important thing...trust and faith in the individual that is treating you. If you do, and he's not worried, then I wouldn't worry to much about it either. If you've always had your doubts, then yes, it's time for another doctor...if nothing else but to put your mind at rest. My two cents worth for the day.

Monika

Hi Kerry,
I know exactly where your coming from! When my mom was first diagnosed she had many scans and there was lung granulomas - but the doctor said "everybody walks around with lung spots - our lungs take a lot of abuse throughout the years". Since then, she's had surgery for rectal cancer and then more scans and nothing was mentioned about the lung spots. i wish these docs would just not even mention these stupid spots! it caused so much stress for no reason. in canada they dont provide pet scans so my mother never had one but no doctor (radiation or chemo doc) was ever concerned about the spots. i have to admit though - i HATE the word granulomas! why can't the just change the name to "NON CANCEROUS SPOTS"! GEEZ!!!

all the best,
julie

kerry · October 2004

unknown said:
Hi Kerry. Not really familiar with spleen granulomas or lung scarring but Bert's CT has always shown spots on his lung which turned out to be calcifications. That's the reason, I think, for the PET...to make sure that nothing lights up. My mom has had a met to her hip bone since day one of diagnosis with lung cancer. This met has sat there, on the bone, not doing anything (good thing) and has been that way for two years. Don't worry to much. Do you trust your doctor???? This is a very important thing...trust and faith in the individual that is treating you. If you do, and he's not worried, then I wouldn't worry to much about it either. If you've always had your doubts, then yes, it's time for another doctor...if nothing else but to put your mind at rest. My two cents worth for the day.

Monika

Thanks, Monika. I have stayed the course with my doctor for the time being, but he has said some things to me which were not the most sensitive, so I am thinking that it may be time for a change soon.

We are in the process of moving to Austin (about 80 miles away) and I always thought I would return to San Antonio to my doctors here, but that may have to change. Thanks for replying (and listening).

I hope Bert is doing well. You are all always on my mind, in my thoughts and prayers.

Regards,

Kerry

kerry · October 2004

littlejulie said:
Hi Kerry,
I know exactly where your coming from! When my mom was first diagnosed she had many scans and there was lung granulomas - but the doctor said "everybody walks around with lung spots - our lungs take a lot of abuse throughout the years". Since then, she's had surgery for rectal cancer and then more scans and nothing was mentioned about the lung spots. i wish these docs would just not even mention these stupid spots! it caused so much stress for no reason. in canada they dont provide pet scans so my mother never had one but no doctor (radiation or chemo doc) was ever concerned about the spots. i have to admit though - i HATE the word granulomas! why can't the just change the name to "NON CANCEROUS SPOTS"! GEEZ!!!

all the best,
julie

Hi Julie,

Yes, I know what you mean, but I always ask to see my reports and then I see the words "granulomas" and lung "scarring". At least as cancer survivors we know what we have inside of us. I'm still anxious about the PET scan.

Thanks for your concern and reply. I hope your Mom is doing well with her treatment.

kerry

spongebob · October 2004

Howdy, Kerry -

I have tons of scars all over my lungs - I had chronic bronchitis when I was little and a couple of pneumonias. They can tell pretty well the difference between scars and mets.

As for your "granulomas"... good that you're interested but don't lose sleep. If they do turn put to be something, do you know how many peopla are walking around without a spleen? TONS! Although I doubt you'll need to bother with that.

It's so easy to be over worried as survivors. Personally, I think it's better to be worried and healthy than complacent and surprised when we're diagnosed as sick again.

Hang in there!

best regards

- SpongeBob

kerry · October 2004

spongebob said:
Howdy, Kerry -

I have tons of scars all over my lungs - I had chronic bronchitis when I was little and a couple of pneumonias. They can tell pretty well the difference between scars and mets.

As for your "granulomas"... good that you're interested but don't lose sleep. If they do turn put to be something, do you know how many peopla are walking around without a spleen? TONS! Although I doubt you'll need to bother with that.

It's so easy to be over worried as survivors. Personally, I think it's better to be worried and healthy than complacent and surprised when we're diagnosed as sick again.

Hang in there!

best regards

- SpongeBob

Bob,

You ALWAYS know the right things to say. Thanks for the comforting words. I am not too worried, I just hate the thought of more tests right now when I have so much "on my plate". But you are right about one thing, I would rather know, than be surprised later on. My poor body already looks like a road map to somewhere. Yuck.

Thanks for caring. I hope all is well for you. Gosh, I like all your new photos. Men in uniform always make me "twitter". Ha!

Be safe out there.

Kerry

jsabol · October 2004

Hi Kerry,
We are on some parallel course here! I have my scans this Friday, and they will include "thin slice" scan of my adrenal glands, to rule out an adrenal tumor, which may be the cause of my high blood pressure/low potassium. I also don't want any more lumps, nor am I thrilled about the prospect of additional surgery if they find a tumor.
Right now, I am choosing to focus on other stuff, ANY other stuff, instead of getting too anxious before any results are in.
I don't know what "granulomas" are; have you done a web search or called the ACS help line?
From Julie's post, it just sounds like a medicalized term for a lump? Good luck on the next round of tests; keep us posted and I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers. Judy

kerry · October 2004

jsabol said:
Hi Kerry,
We are on some parallel course here! I have my scans this Friday, and they will include "thin slice" scan of my adrenal glands, to rule out an adrenal tumor, which may be the cause of my high blood pressure/low potassium. I also don't want any more lumps, nor am I thrilled about the prospect of additional surgery if they find a tumor.
Right now, I am choosing to focus on other stuff, ANY other stuff, instead of getting too anxious before any results are in.
I don't know what "granulomas" are; have you done a web search or called the ACS help line?
From Julie's post, it just sounds like a medicalized term for a lump? Good luck on the next round of tests; keep us posted and I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers. Judy

Hi Judy,

Good luck on your scans this Friday. I will be saying my prayers for you. My daughter is a nurse and told me that granulomas are lesions, which didn't sound any better to me.

Thanks for caring. I'll be having you in my thoughts Friday and hope all turns out well.

Good idea to do a web search - duh, I must still have some chemo brain - I usually do web search first!!

Take care and let me know how the scans come out.

Kerry

spongebob · October 2004

kerry said:
Bob,

You ALWAYS know the right things to say. Thanks for the comforting words. I am not too worried, I just hate the thought of more tests right now when I have so much "on my plate". But you are right about one thing, I would rather know, than be surprised later on. My poor body already looks like a road map to somewhere. Yuck.

Thanks for caring. I hope all is well for you. Gosh, I like all your new photos. Men in uniform always make me "twitter". Ha!

Be safe out there.

Kerry

Kerry -

One thing I have learned over the years of being at sea using maps and charts - the best ones, the ones that will not only get you where you need to go, but also have notes in the margin that will get you there safely and point out the cool things - are the most well used ones. Maybe they don't look as fresh as a brand new chart, but darlin', they're a hundred times better and I'd take one of them over a new chart any day!

- SB

Kanort · October 2004

Hi Kerry,

I am so glad that your reports indicated no mets, but am so sorry that you are having to fret over the lung and spleen situations.

When I was first diagnosed last September, an Xray showed lung "spots" which my gastro doctor and my oncologist said were most probably calcifications. I had a PET and CT scan which proved that they were. However, my oncologist had me have a biopsy anyway of one of them. That had to be the worst procedure of all the many that I have had! Anyway, it was not cancerous.

Then in January I had a cold and a bronchial infection so my oncologist sent me back to where I had the original Xray and the report said that one of the "spots" had increased in size. Talk about worrying!!! I then had to have another CT and PET scan which said that nothing had changed in size, but a couple of lymph nodes on the PET showed activity. This was due to the infection, but again, more worry. I guess my point with all this lengthy dialogue is that we all have things that show up on tests that prove to be nothing. However, I do realize your concern.

My last PET and CT scans were again normal, but I didn't read them like you or I would probably still be worrying.

Anyway, you are on the top of my prayer list. I'm just sorry that you have to wait until the 10th of November to have the PET scan done.

Thinking of you,

Kay

kerry · October 2004

Kanort said:
Hi Kerry,

I am so glad that your reports indicated no mets, but am so sorry that you are having to fret over the lung and spleen situations.

When I was first diagnosed last September, an Xray showed lung "spots" which my gastro doctor and my oncologist said were most probably calcifications. I had a PET and CT scan which proved that they were. However, my oncologist had me have a biopsy anyway of one of them. That had to be the worst procedure of all the many that I have had! Anyway, it was not cancerous.

Then in January I had a cold and a bronchial infection so my oncologist sent me back to where I had the original Xray and the report said that one of the "spots" had increased in size. Talk about worrying!!! I then had to have another CT and PET scan which said that nothing had changed in size, but a couple of lymph nodes on the PET showed activity. This was due to the infection, but again, more worry. I guess my point with all this lengthy dialogue is that we all have things that show up on tests that prove to be nothing. However, I do realize your concern.

My last PET and CT scans were again normal, but I didn't read them like you or I would probably still be worrying.

Anyway, you are on the top of my prayer list. I'm just sorry that you have to wait until the 10th of November to have the PET scan done.

Thinking of you,

Kay

Thanks Kay, for the kind reassuring words. One good thing about being a cancer survivor is that you usually know a whole lot more about your body and what's going on than most everyone else. I do get a bit anxious, but I don't feel my doctor would have been so optimistic if he didn't really feel it. He is usually very blunt, to the point.

I will be in Austin most of next week - need to come back for an American Cancer Society meeting on Thursday, then back to Austin again for the weekend. Perhaps we can make that lunch?? I'll email you soon.

Thanks again, Kay. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Kerry

kangatoo · October 2004

kerry said:
Thanks Kay, for the kind reassuring words. One good thing about being a cancer survivor is that you usually know a whole lot more about your body and what's going on than most everyone else. I do get a bit anxious, but I don't feel my doctor would have been so optimistic if he didn't really feel it. He is usually very blunt, to the point.

I will be in Austin most of next week - need to come back for an American Cancer Society meeting on Thursday, then back to Austin again for the weekend. Perhaps we can make that lunch?? I'll email you soon.

Thanks again, Kay. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Kerry

Hiya Kerry--errrr--sorry I am late--got a note from Jen tho. I have been 160ks away working so missed some posts. Hope you see this. I too had afew worried days waiting for my lung scan. Turned out to be tissue scarring--yu see kanga is "naughty"--smoked for 30 years. My mate had the same scarring but never smoked--seems it is fairly common. Yu'll be fine babe!!!!!
luv kanga n Jen

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