| Author |
|
maryaz
Senior User
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 145
Location: Arizona
|
 Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject: More about Pet Scans |
 |
|
We got some really good news today. Yet, I still write with some caution, until I see and hear more. The tumor is shrinking. Looks good for surgery per Dr. My husband got called to the Oncologists office today because of blood work he had yesterday. His white cells were really low. They had to check him again. They are coming up.
Well there, he was told of the results of his PetScan on Monday. Oncologists feels that surgery should be okay to do. He said to finish his radiation treatments which will be 1st 3 days of next week. To hold on chemo for now. Would have had it again starting 21st for 3 days. He was told to wear mask if in public for fear of infection.
The appointment with the Surgeon has been set for this Monday, even before the PetScan was done. Today was the first day that he has felt good for some time now.
The PetScan looks good but I have a question. When the Pet was scheduled I was talking to the tech about the timing. They were surprised my husand was getting the scan and still being treated. He said they usually wait a few weeks after treatments. He did agree that if cancer had spread anywhere that it would show up ok. He said otherwise there can be false-positives where they have been treating. For that reason the tech double checked with the doctor's office, again.
What exactly did the Tech mean  Do I have reason to be concerned about the good news we were told today.
I really saw relief on my husband's face and just the way he was today. I think he saw a benefit for the bad times he has gone thru. He has really had a tough time of it. I guess maybe from what I am reading they were treating him aggressively. Do you normally not do radiation and chemo together like that.
Thanks for the replies.
_________________
Mary
Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3949
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:23 am Post subject: Re: More about Pet Scans |
|
|
Hi Mary, while surgery is not very good news, being healthy enough to have surgery IS good news  . I am praying that your husband will do fantastic in the surgery.
I am not too sure what the tech meant but here is my best guess. It is common to have radiation at the same time as chemo. They seen to compliment each other. However, radiation continues to work for 4-6 weeks after the last treatment. It is common to wait a while after the last treatment for any scan for that reason. If the radiation is still working, there might still be some cancer cells that are living and would glow with a PET scan therefore giving a pseudo falls positive. Given time, those cells might die too.
It is not a big problem with chemotherapy sense the half-life of chemotherapy agents is much shorter... out of the system in days rather than weeks.
However, as long as the doctor is satisfied with the results so far, I would also be celebrating.
Your husband has a good medical team it sounds like. I say that because I hear in your accounting of the story the they are all being proactive to make sure your husband gets the best possible treatment. You would be surprised at how few techs would call the doctor to ask if the doctor really is doing the right thing  .
I will be thinking about and praying for your husband... especially on Monday when he talks with his surgeon.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1138
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: More about Pet Scans |
|
|
Hi Mary,
I too echo what Brainman says -- this is good news. If surgery can be an option, that is the best of the best.
Often a radiated area will show some lighting up due to the inflammation response to the radiation. Good call on the tech's part to question the doctor. This is just another step in the process of assessing whether the surgery will be possible and the doctor probably wanted the latest info for the surgeon's purposes. The radiation kills the main tumor and the chemo mops up the rest of the cells that aren't in the field of radiation.
Hoping to hear more good news from you after the surgeon's visit.
Keep hope!!
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
maryaz
Senior User
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 145
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: More about Pet Scans |
|
|
Thanks Jim for the input on the Scan. Makes sense. Thank you both for your willingness to answer these questions. Looks like you could use a little more help sometimes.
I looked at a few posts the other night and were something like we experienced but I do not feel qualified to give anyone else input yet at this point.
We are very pleased and feel that it sounds good for what it could have been. He still has 3 more radiations to do this week. His WBC was low and needs that up. He was told to wear a mask and be very careful of catching anything.
I will let you know what we find out. This is the first weekend that he is not real sick. He said the radiation is just worse with the chemo and there is none this week. So nice to not see him in bed so much. I thank you both and really appreciate the help.
_________________
Mary
Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3949
Location: Tennessee
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
