Deb, I have been having a test done for quite some time. I get the radioactive dye injection, have to go away for 2 hours and drink lots of water. Then they run the test and the hardest part is staying still for so long. I never knew that was a PET.
And, just to show you about CT scans, I was told by my onc several weeks ago that they found a spot in my upper left lung. It is too smal to PET and too small to biopsy. I was already depressed when I went to his office and I certainly wasn't feeling much better when I left.
My onc called that night to ask me if I felt suicidal. I told him I had had better times to do that than now. He also told me, now get this, he had gone down to the department that runs the CT, and asked them to line up all of my scans since 96.
I already know about the tumor on the adrenal, it's been there for years. And, the lung spot has been there for four years. It hasn't changed. But, now I'm back to having the tests every 6 months instead of yearly.
Jo-Ann, I didn't know about the tumor or the spot. Have I just missed this? If so, I am terribly sorry. You are already in my prayers. If this hasn't grown in four years, isn't that a good sign?? I am impressed that the doctor would order all of your records. Is your hospital connected to M.D. Anderson? It always sounds like you get the best of everything as I do at Barnes. I will be sending cyber hugs, sis. Love, di
Hello My Friend! Good to see you posting. :) First, I think that the test, now remember that I have chemo brain, the test that you are referring to is a ct scan..may be a bone scan. The PET scan you have to sit very still for 30 mins. Heck, one place that I had one wouldn't even let me read. The tech said that the stimulation of the brain cells would throw the results off. I started laughing and told her that there weren't that many cells left and she could just leave me the hell alone! This is the same tech that wanted to test my sugar level from my left hand and argued w/ me that it didn't matter which side I had the mast and lymph nodes removed. BP and sticks could be done anyway. grrrr
What do you mean that the spot on your lung is to small to PET? A PET scan picks up very minute (sp) spots. That was the test that found the spot on my sacrum. Is this the same spot that was there 4 yrs ago? Ask your onco again about having a PET scan. I have to do the CT, Mugga, Bone Scan and PET every 3 mos. So, if you have to do them 2x a year, so be it. Better to let your onco stay on top of things than totally ignore it, right?
Okay my friend, what about this depression? You have faced worse during this battle in the past and overcome it. You have many, many friends here that feel you are family and want to help. So, quit hiding and share w/ us. I am sure that having the extra peeps in your house isn't helping. If it is like my house, you don't get any rest or relaxation. The kids are constantly doing something or you feel that you have to entertain them. Well, take an hr for yourself each day. Tell your granddaughter that she is in charge when she gets home. That you don't exist. I know, easier said that done. But seriously Jo-Ann, slow down. Take a little time for you. And as you have told so many ladies, question what your onco has told you and ask why.
I am not surprised the onc called you that night. Not just because of the depression I know you are going through, but because you are a woman who is so impressive, people want to make sure you're gonna stick around so they can continue to enjoy you. I know I look forward to your posts and really enjoyed our talks in LV. I was wondering about the progression of your condition, and, frankly, I am glad it hasn't changed. His call was reassuring to me, the fact that the spot isn't new. Your take on it, the chronic side, is most likely the depression impacting on you. It really is encouraging compared to a visual spot appearing or getting larger. Please trust in your friends and docs and loved ones. We want you to feel better, but more--we want you around.
Been working Jaws lately???"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Don't knock on Death's Door. Ring the bell and run. He hates that.