enlarged para aortic lymph node (metasis cancer in his left aorta lymph node)

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AirborneMP
AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I got results of the CT scan today. I have enlarged para aortic lymph node (metasis cancer in his left aorta lymph node) and something suspicious on my bladder. Any advice? I have a PET scan on Friday

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  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    edited April 2017 #2
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    PET scans

    Be prepared to empty your bladder as much as you can. PET scans are long, and if you have bladder retention problems, then I would suggest an adult diaper.   I don't mean to scare you, but I pretty much left a trail of clean up for the lab tech after I was done. 

    With all Cancer, it feeds on your anxiety. Try to chill as much as you can. No amount of worry will make whatever you have disappear, but it might make something appear. 

    Good luck on Friday, and I hope the results are quick and help you move toward being NED. 

    TRU

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    #3
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    visualization. Meditation

    IMHO pet scans are the worst. Mine was when I was first diagnosed and my brain was telling me all the worst horror stories. Not calm or rational, just crazy   It did not help that when i had mine the tech never checked in via voice even once.  I was not offered any music to listen to ( like They do for a Cat scan). I wasn't even given a paniac button. The key is to  keep your brain occupied.   I ended up in my mind, reviewing the videos of a dog I love , watching him play and scamper.  I credit him with getting  me through the scan.

    Meditation, visualization, a safe place - the place where you feel completely at ease.  These will help get you through it. 

    Good luck. 

  • AirborneMP
    AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
    #4
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    Trubrit said:

    PET scans

    Be prepared to empty your bladder as much as you can. PET scans are long, and if you have bladder retention problems, then I would suggest an adult diaper.   I don't mean to scare you, but I pretty much left a trail of clean up for the lab tech after I was done. 

    With all Cancer, it feeds on your anxiety. Try to chill as much as you can. No amount of worry will make whatever you have disappear, but it might make something appear. 

    Good luck on Friday, and I hope the results are quick and help you move toward being NED. 

    TRU

    PET

    Thanks for the advice and yep hoping for a miracl. 

  • AirborneMP
    AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
    #5
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    Trubrit said:

    PET scans

    Be prepared to empty your bladder as much as you can. PET scans are long, and if you have bladder retention problems, then I would suggest an adult diaper.   I don't mean to scare you, but I pretty much left a trail of clean up for the lab tech after I was done. 

    With all Cancer, it feeds on your anxiety. Try to chill as much as you can. No amount of worry will make whatever you have disappear, but it might make something appear. 

    Good luck on Friday, and I hope the results are quick and help you move toward being NED. 

    TRU

    PET

    What type of cancer do you have and how have you been doing?

  • AirborneMP
    AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
    #6
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    PamRav said:

    visualization. Meditation

    IMHO pet scans are the worst. Mine was when I was first diagnosed and my brain was telling me all the worst horror stories. Not calm or rational, just crazy   It did not help that when i had mine the tech never checked in via voice even once.  I was not offered any music to listen to ( like They do for a Cat scan). I wasn't even given a paniac button. The key is to  keep your brain occupied.   I ended up in my mind, reviewing the videos of a dog I love , watching him play and scamper.  I credit him with getting  me through the scan.

    Meditation, visualization, a safe place - the place where you feel completely at ease.  These will help get you through it. 

    Good luck. 

    I should be sleepy

    hopefully I can zone out because im a little cloister phobic but i have been through ct scan and ZmRI's. Thanks 

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #7
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    PamRav said:

    visualization. Meditation

    IMHO pet scans are the worst. Mine was when I was first diagnosed and my brain was telling me all the worst horror stories. Not calm or rational, just crazy   It did not help that when i had mine the tech never checked in via voice even once.  I was not offered any music to listen to ( like They do for a Cat scan). I wasn't even given a paniac button. The key is to  keep your brain occupied.   I ended up in my mind, reviewing the videos of a dog I love , watching him play and scamper.  I credit him with getting  me through the scan.

    Meditation, visualization, a safe place - the place where you feel completely at ease.  These will help get you through it. 

    Good luck. 

    Offered music?

    I've had multiple CAT and several PET scans over the last five years and have NEVER been offered any kind of music. 

    WOW! I feel deprived. 

    TRU

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,427 Member
    edited April 2017 #8
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    I do fairly well with the tests

    I have not run into issues during CTs/Scans/MRIs.  I have good techs who always check in (though no music, though I was offered music during my mediport placement and afterwards, chose Pink Floyd since they did not put me completely under).

    For some reason I actually am able to relax during the actual scans.  I am not sure why.  On the PET scan I sort of drift off a bit thinking of things that are fun then zone out kind of.  Maybe close to falling asleep.  To the point where the tech saying 1/2 hour left or how you doing was a bit annoying/waking me up :)

     I guess it is a form of meditation, though I do not know how to meditate.  Believe it or not, there are certain times, such as being in a scan or on an airplane, where I relax because basically there is nothing I can do.  (Less now with wi-fi on planes ;) ).  But if there is a work thing, it just has to wait.  Etc.

    I have had two PET scans in connection with the cancer.  They give me a card to show officials since I could set off a Geiger counter.  In my silly little mind I found that kind of fun.  Second time I played Imagine Dragons Radioactive a bunch of times while waiting the hour or so after the drink and injection.  It kept me amused.  

    I think it is a bit louder than the usual CT/MRI, so you may want ear plugs.  But still not THAT bad on noise level.  Also make sure you are comfortable.  Sometimes I need a rolled up towel to fill the void under my lower back.  Again, not horrible, but since it is longer, might as well make sure.

    And most of all, just relax and try not to worry too much.  Let us know how it goes.

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    edited April 2017 #9
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    My music story

    I had an MRI this summer for droopy eyelid of unditermined origin.  ( it resolved later no cause ever found)

    they gave me a choice of music, I picked the 70's rock.   All was cool until Blue Oyster Cults "Don't Fear the Reaper " came on....

    didnt know weather to laugh or cry!  

    The facility where we used to live always provided headphones and an iPod.    And we were definitely not in a big city location   

  • Canadian Sandy
    Canadian Sandy Member Posts: 784 Member
    edited April 2017 #10
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    i was anxious for the pet

    i was anxious for the pet scan but in the end I wanted to stay. I was listening to A Patsy Cline cd and they cut it off whe scan was done. im still waiting to hear the rest. Fell asleep when waiting for scan. I was totally into listening.  lol

  • Achilles
    Achilles Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2017 #11
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    Don't fear the PET

    Hey Airborne...the PET scan is like a really long CT and its open on both sides... nothing to worry about.

    Regarding the lymph node, I had extensive lymph node spread through the Para-aortic that didn't really show up on my initial CT and did on PET.  It is a good thing as it changed my treatment plan adding Avastin (bevi) to my Chemo.  While researching it there is also many reasons why a lymph node or two may be enlarged.  In fact some people have normal lymph nodes in that area over 1 cm anyways.

    Stay positive if you can !

  • AirborneMP
    AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
    #12
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    Achilles said:

    Don't fear the PET

    Hey Airborne...the PET scan is like a really long CT and its open on both sides... nothing to worry about.

    Regarding the lymph node, I had extensive lymph node spread through the Para-aortic that didn't really show up on my initial CT and did on PET.  It is a good thing as it changed my treatment plan adding Avastin (bevi) to my Chemo.  While researching it there is also many reasons why a lymph node or two may be enlarged.  In fact some people have normal lymph nodes in that area over 1 cm anyways.

    Stay positive if you can !

    PEt Scan in the morning

    Thanks I will let you know once I get the results 

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