First post=treatment scan coming up

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0626june
0626june Member Posts: 73
in Anal Cancer #1

we head to Seattle Tueday so I can have my first scan on Thursday.  I FEEL that it's all gone, I BELIEVE that it's all gone and yet, I wonder about being too positive? If I'm wrong, I'll have farther to fall.  CRAZY MAKING! Question:  do all of the follow ups involve a PET scan for you? Seems like alot of radioactive material to be pumping through the veins.....

June

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  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
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    June

    I feel certain that you are going to get good news on your scan!  I have always tried to put myself in a positive place when I am scanned. 

    As for follow-ups involving PET scans, the answer to that is no, not usually.  I got PET scans for the first couple of years, then when my insurance company started not authorizing them, my doctor ordered CT scans.  The reason I had the PET scan this past June was because of findings on the CT scan 3 weeks prior, where I had a questionable area seen on my liver and a couple of lymph nodes showed enlargement.

    I agree that scanning does not come without risks, i.e. more radiation.  To me it's a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario.  I wish you all good results on yours and hope you'll let us know.  I hope you have a little time in Seattle to enjoy the city.  The weather should still be decent and it's a magnificent place!

    Martha

  • 0626june
    0626june Member Posts: 73
    #3
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    mp327 said:

    June

    I feel certain that you are going to get good news on your scan!  I have always tried to put myself in a positive place when I am scanned. 

    As for follow-ups involving PET scans, the answer to that is no, not usually.  I got PET scans for the first couple of years, then when my insurance company started not authorizing them, my doctor ordered CT scans.  The reason I had the PET scan this past June was because of findings on the CT scan 3 weeks prior, where I had a questionable area seen on my liver and a couple of lymph nodes showed enlargement.

    I agree that scanning does not come without risks, i.e. more radiation.  To me it's a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario.  I wish you all good results on yours and hope you'll let us know.  I hope you have a little time in Seattle to enjoy the city.  The weather should still be decent and it's a magnificent place!

    Martha

    thanks Martha

    also thinking of you and sending you good thoughts. I should have a few days to enjoy Seattle and it's so nice that I have more energy than when I was there for treatment! All I wanted to see then was the couch! Will post results on Thursday.

    June

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #4
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    No "standard" follow-up

    Hi June,

    I've come to see that there is no "standard" follow-up for AC.  It seems that everyones doctors do different things.  I have had 3 PETS scans with CT scans since finishing treatment in March 2012.  I've also had 2 pelvic/abdominal MRI's.  My radiologists likes the PETS (his facility owns the machine, so go figure) and my oncologist likes the MRI's.  I'm told both have similar but also different value to detecting changes.  So, for now I continue with both as the recommend them.  I gives me extra reassurance that all is well.

    Yes, I'm concerned about the extra radiation but like Martha said, "damned if you do and damned it you don't". 

    I think your positive thinking is good.

    Good Luck & Enjoy your "vacation" in Seattle!

    Tracey

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