PET results are in

melbas said:

PET Scan
As we all know, I'm fairly new to all this. What is a PET Scan? I do know my docs have decided to go without the 5fu. I have an extremely rare condition whidh causes my an enzyme defiececny and therefor I got all those nasty side effects I aslo broke down and got a cane yesterday. After falling twice I realized I'd rather walk upright with a cane as oppoded to lying prone with broken bones. Good prayers to all. Melodie

PET Scan
Hi Melodie--

PET scan stands for Positron Emission Tomography. According to a friend of mine who is a radiologist, a PET scan can sometimes pick up things that a CT scan cannot. A PET scan is performed by injecting radioactive glucose into the patient, then after a period of about 45 minutes to allow the glucose to go throughout the body, the scan is done. Since the glucose is attracted to cancer cells, the radiologist is able to see any areas of activity, which may indicate cancer. I am by no means an expert on PET scans, but I've had 8 of them in the last 2 years. I'm more of an expert at getting my finger stuck to check my blood sugar level then getting an IV for the radioactive stuff!

As for getting the cane, that is probably a very good idea if you are prone to falls. You certainly don't need any broken bones on top of everything else. Please keep in mind that radiation treatment can cause bone damage, which can make one more susceptible to fractures. After your treatment is completed and you've had some time to heal, it would be a good idea to ask your doctor to order a bone density test for you (DEXA scan) to assess your bones. I had one about 6 months after my treatment ended and found out I had osteopenia, the precursor condition to osteoporosis. I am treating it with supplements (calcium, vitamin D, magnesium) and weight bearing exercise.

As always, I wish you the very best. Hang in there!

cujuja4evr said:

Great News!
I'm so glad to hear of your fantastic news! I was getting somewhat discouraged the past couple of days reading some of the posts...more like anxiety - when someone is waiting for their test results to come back, I find myself almost holding my breath as if it was me that was waiting on the test results. Thanks for sharing such great news and giving me that assurance that there is hope!

cujuja4evr
Thank you for your congrats. I completely agree, waiting for scan/test results is a time of high anxiety. We all go through that and I think we all collectively hold our breath for one another when someone is waiting. I will be at the 2-year post-treatment mark in a little over a month and this was the greatest news ever.

azkookie18 said:

Yay
so glad for you

Thank you!

Thank you!