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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

PET Scan results



Last Thursday, I finally went for my PET scan. It's always a nerve-wracking thing to do, believe me. Not because it's scarey or hurts, etc., ---- it's just that you dread hearing the results. And even that is strange, because you want the results immediately, if not sooner, but there is still that dread that you might hear the worst of the worst. But they won't tell you a thing!!! Not even a hint! Just lovely, smiling faces tht tell you, "Your doctor will call you if he needs to talk with you about your scan. Have a nice day!" And so you go home, wondering, praying for the best, dreading the worst, and again wondering where all that faith is. . . .!!!!

I've come to the place where I call breast cancer the "What If" disease! There are just way too many gray areas. Too many things left unanswered. Too many "wait and see" issues. Too many statistics. Every headache, pain, cramp, lump, bump, etc., becomes a "What if" and you feel more paranoid than you ever thought possible. Add to that, waiting for the test results to a PET scan is pure torture! It just shouldn't be! Supposedly, if they don't call, everything is OK and there's nothing to worry about. But then, the "What if's" start in: What if the Dr. didn't see that piece of paper and it's buried on his desk? What if someone forgot to call me? What if he's on vacation? And so, we're back to the "What if" game???? It got so bad that I actually thought that maybe he just isn't calling because I'll see him on the 20th anyways and then he'll give me the bad news that it's hopeless and there's nothing he can do for me! Now THAT is what I call stretching the imaginary scenerios to the limit, don't you think??????

So. . . Here it is Wednesday. I've been waiting since Thursday. Can I breathe yet?
I couldn't stand it this morning. I called the cancer center and asked. I just know that some gal answering the phone is going to get that huge rubber stamp out of her desk drawer today and the bright red ink pad and stamp on the cover of my chart, "HIGH MAINTENANCE PATIENT!!!!" You know, those patients that call constantly about everything from a runny nose to a stubbed toe! But I didn't care today. I just think the "No call if everything is ok" policy stinks!

So the gal on the other end of the phone says, "I'll pull your chart and have a nurse call you back with the results." It's been an hour. . . .. no call back yet!

Have you ever had a PET scan? I've often wondered how they come up with these things. The night before and the day of the scan, you can't eat or drink any carbs or suger, etc. 6 hours before the scan, nothing. Then, when you get there, they give you a shot of radioactive glucose. You wait for about 40 minutes to an hour for this to go through your system. Next, you lay on a plank, knees bent, arms over your head, and you go through an arch. I thought it was a tunnel at first, but it is open at each end and short enough that my head and/or feet were hanging out each end. Not as clostrophobic as you might think. The first pass through the "arch" is a CT scan that shows the skeletal system. This is fast. The second pass takes about 20 - 30 minutes. This one shows the rest of everything that's inside of you. The radioactive glucose has now circulated throughout your body, and cancer cells are grabbing onto the glucose because they are VERY hungry by now. So. . . if there is anything cancerious in your body, it will light up like a Christmas tree on the scan results.

I had my first PET scan back in February and nothing showed up then. I'm still sitting here wondering about this one. . . . ??????!!!!!!!

UPDATE!!! The Cancer Center just called to let me know that NOTHING showed up on the PET Scan! THANK YOU, LORD!!!! I wonder if I added up all the time I spent worrying about this in the past two weeks or so, how much time I actually wasted?????? To say NOTHING of how much I heaped on others with all my whining and worrying about all the "what if's!" Next time I start with all this and whine to ya'll, just tell me to stuff a sock in it, won't you????? Seriously, though, I do appreciate all your prayers for me. Thank you from the cockles of my heart!!!!! (When I was a kid, my pastor referred to "the cockles of his heart" and I always wondered what "cockles" were! Does anyone know????) I just Googled it, and if you really have to know, click here:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-coc2.htm

31 comments:

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Oh Cora, I agree - the no call policy stinks!

Praying for great results!!

hugs, Linda

Leaon Mary said...

~EagleWings~

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Well, I'm happy to see the "update"!!!

So happy NOTHING showed up, Cora!
Keepin ya in my prayers, as always...((hugs))Kath

Dennis Pyritz, RN said...

Great Blog! I added you to my blogroll, Cancer Blog Links at www.beingcancer.net' Also... Open invitation to you and your readers to participate in the Being Cancer Book Club. This month we are discussing “The Adventures of Cancer Bitch. “Drawing on a wealth of personal, literary, and historical sources—from Jewish liturgy to the first crude mastectomies, from Anne Frank to Emma Goldman—The Adventures of Cancer Bitch creates an indelible image of a politically engaged, self-aware (sometimes neurotic) woman facing a daunting disease with equal measures of humor, well-founded fear, and keen intelligence.”
Monday is Book Club day; Wednesday Guest Blog and Friday Cancer News Roundup.
Also check out Cancer Blog Links containing over 300 blog links and Cancer Resources with 230 referenced sites, both divided into disease categories.
Please accept this invitation to join our growing cancer blogging community at www.beingcancer.net
Take care, Dennis

Cherrie said...

God is good! I enjoy your blog, it is so honest. If one of us ever is faced with cancer, at least you have walked us through what it is like.
I use the term "you bet your bippy" with my grandchildren and they sometimes will ask "what is a bippy" I have no answer!

Claudia said...

I felt pain while reading every word you wrote. I've never had a PET scan but during my breast cancer days, I had oh, so many other tests. The fear is huge. The waiting is so painful. And the doctors are always so busy dealing with other patients. But they do understand.

I'm thrilled with the results. I knew your results would be good. But I've been sitting and waiting with you. And praying. And now I'm smiling.

*hugs*

Living Life with a Joyful Heart said...

I know what you mean those What If"s are not good but how do you stop them. I am very blessed my Dr. calls me after every procedure that is done, I so apreciate that.

Have a blessed day
Mary

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Woohoo! I had to come back to see if you got the results. I am THRILLED for you!!

hugs, Linda

PS we all need to whine once in awhile. As long as you realize it and appreciate the good when it comes - and I know YOu do!!

Toni said...

Cora,
I`m so sorry for all you`ve been through.Youy`ve just been an amazing testamony of faith and what God can do.Praise God that the scan showed nothing!That iks excellent news!! I can only immagine what it must of been like to waite all that time.They should really have a better system.I can understand that calling everyone might be time consuming but maybe an autimated message or somnething.I`m glad your in the clear.I hope you can exhale for a looong time now.Take care!
Love and blessings,
Toni

Daria said...

Excellent news ... never ever think of yourself as a high maintenance patient. You are only taking care of yourself and that is the most important.

Now go and celebrate ... yippee!

Becky said...

So happy to hear that you received good results from your PET scan! Sorry you had to wait so long to get the answers... how stressful!
Hugs!

Denise said...

Oh girl..... I think my heart rate got higher and higher as I read your post , wanting to hurry ahead and read the results but wanted to hear each word that you were saying..... Thank you Father God for the good report! Thank you Father God for peace peace peace in this precious heart........... I rejoice with you!!!!!!

KathyB. said...

Whew !You're O.K. Praise God! Thank-you for being honest and straight forward in your blog about your battle with cancer and your faith.I continue to read your blog and see what the future and the present hold for you now that you are cancer free and waiting on Him!

Simply Debbie said...

CONGRATULATIONS CORA.....PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW
I don't know how you feel but I know how I feel walking the journey with my daughter.....she has had 2 pet scans and 7 ct scans in one year......it makes me want to puke when I hear the drs. say the cancer is back...
....Angel hugs
debbie

*Linda Pinda* said...

I am so happy about your about your results, Cora. You are in our constant prayers.

Love, Linda & Family

Nancy M. said...

I'm so glad they finally called to let you know! I'm glad they didn't find anything. It is so hard not to worry about something like that, even though we know the worrying does no good.

papel1 said...

Great News Cora....Yea
Judy

Debra said...

Hi Cora! I'm so happy for you!
Love, Debra

Judy's Vintage Collections said...

What great news! I am happy for you! and I give Praise and Glory to Jesus! I do know the "what if game" is always a game played in our life of what next?
Be safe in Jesus is my prayer...
Lots of Hugs and Lots of Love!
Judy

Kay-The Rustic Cottage said...

So glad to h ear this good news!! You deserve to be able to whine after what you've been through. I agree - the no call if there's nothing wrong is not a good thing. We need to know either way. I'm keeping you in my heart and my prayers.

Hugs,
Kay

Joyfulsister said...

Whoo hoo Sis,
I am doing the happy dance and rejoicing with you. I will be going for my annual month ultra sound for my liver to check for tumors. and also do an endoscopy down my stomach to check frr any bleeds, so keep me in prayer okay.

Luv ya Lorie

Its So Very Cheri said...

Just popped over from another blog-someone new who visited my blog, so I was checking their blog and saw a button @ praying for you-had to see, so here I am. So glad the results are good. My Mom had cancer and is our walking miracle. I know what you mean about all the little pains and all the wonder-you want to be in-tune to your body and on top of things and take care of things so you "catch it early" if it is a worst case scenario but on the other hand you wonder if everyone thinks you jump at the chance to re-visit this. Every time my Mom says "I'm just letting you know" my heart skips a beat. I say no one understands what you have gone through until they have walked in your shoes. I know I shouldn't worry about things, I should trust Him with all my heart, but then why did God make me with a worry button inside of me.
Cheri
come for a visit
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

ByLightOfMoon said...

COra, I Am so sorry that you nwent through all that pain, and yes, the notknowing is pain, the Stress!

I think All results should be sent to you and no answer is NOT enough. You need to get the results and YOu DESERVE it! ALL Paients DO for any test!

I would not worry about calling every day and letting that girl know you mean business. IT is her job to notify you good or bad, ot the Dr nurses job. It is Someone's JOB!

Call, Call, Call away and maybe they will then remember your name and know they Better let you know an answer!

But, I am so thankful for you that the results were fine and dandy!
Great Job Cora, you have been very brave!

Smiles, Cyndi

naomisnotions said...

YAY!!! I'm glad the results were great!!! Thank you God!

(((HUGS)))

Naomi

LindaSue said...

So glad for NOTHING - NOTHING - or NED (no evidence of disease) is the kindest phrase in a cancer survivor's phrase book. Bless you Cora - and never fear - whining is good occasionally I like a little cheese and cracker with my whine! DH and I are waiting on a cardiology appointment to find out whether our lives are turning sideways right now.

Paula said...

Bless your heart Cora! Talk about making somebody sweat it out! Jeez!
I'm so happy everything is okay!

Denise said...

Got up this morning with you on my mind....... How are you ? I have been away from my PC for a while but wanted to stop in and see about you!

I am headed out of town tomorrow for an over night trip so will hope to hear from you when I get back...

Love ya

Sit A Spell said...

Saw you at the Potting shed and wanted to say HI. It's so hard waiting...I don't wait very well either. What amazing news for you!

I see you are in Florida...God just supplied a wonderful job there for my Hubby.

Bless...Shell

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Awesome news, Cora!

WhiteStone said...

It's been awhile since I visited your blog, and so I am scanning down through some of your cancer posts, and ran across your mention of your PET scan. That caught my eye, as I just blogged yesterday about my most recent PET/CT.


I am so very happy for you about your April 10 celebration date!
God has blessed you with the knowledge that for whatever reason you have cancer, you now use it to bless others.

nancy said...

I AM WALKING IN YOUR SHOES RIGHT NOW WAITING ON A PET SCAN THAT WAS DONE TEN DAYS AGO, DONT QUITE KNOW WHAT TO DO, I GOT UP THE NERVE TWO DAYS AGO TO CALL THE DOCTORS. THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME THE DOCTOR WOULD CALL ME BACK, AS OF YET I STILL HAVEN'T ANYTHING. I HAVE OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS PE AND DVT.I HAVE TWO CLOTS IN LEFT LUNG, AND TWO NODULES IN RIGHT LUNG, AND NOW PET SCAN FOR CANCER. READING YOUR BLOG BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES,BECAUSE IT REMINDED ME OF MYSELF, YOU PRAY FOR ME, AND I'LL PRAY FOR YOU. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU...