Wednesday, May 19, 2010

RollerCoaster Express!

A PET Scan is quite an experience! The way it works is after a spot is picked up on a CT Scan, the  next step in diagnostic imaging is a PET scan. They inject a sugar solution of radioactive material and let it circulate about an hour. The idea is that a malignancy is an active group of cells and responds to the sugar. The sugar is carrying a radioactive material that is picked up by the scan. If there is no activity, the spot does not "light up" as they refer to it. Rabbit Trail .... what does that say about people who have cancer and are eating sugar...... another side note, if you ever have to have a PET Scan, you are in this big machine for about 30 minutes, you are told not to move and your arms are stretched back and over your head, that gets real uncomfortable after about 10 minutes. When I got out I asked what did they do if a person could not put there arms in the overhead position. I was told there is an alternate position with your arms at your side.....doesn't give as good results, that's the one to opt for!

We got the results of the PET Scan.... looks like the spot behind the pancreas was nothing.....however, there is a spot on my lung, about 2 centimeters, that reacted to the radioactive sugar water. So now we have a problem... the spot could be a cyst, an infection or a malignancy. The only way to find out is to get a piece of it and look at it under a microscope. So this little hiccup has placed everything on hold. I get to keep my teeth for a  while and the bone marrow transplant won't be done if there is another active cancer. They are still holding the time in Seattle pending the results of a biopsy on May 26th. I continue to feel good, strong but grumpy, this waiting business is not a good thing. On the upside, there is a spaghetti dinner at my daughter's house tomorrow night and I got the garden tilled today, we went to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes tonight, I have a full belly and all is good!

2 comments:

  1. What an adventure fer shure!! Thoughts & prayers are going out! The girls & I are hoping for the best - Keep posative Joel!!

    Vinnie & Girls

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  2. Hi Joel,
    You don't know me but I bought a puppy from you and Sharon last March '09...I'm thinking the pups were born Jan. 16th ??...anyway, I'm so sorry to hear of the issues that have impacted your life...as I read your post I can feel a tear well up...you and Sharon are very special people I could tell that from the first time I met you.
    I know you have a special relationship with our Father and I'm sure he's looking after you as a father does...I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your wonderful outlook and honesty...and especially the faith you have in the Lord...wonderful testomony :)
    Take care of yourself... God Bless you and your family.
    Linda Baird...( mom to Cash )
    P.S.
    He's doing wonderful, he's beautiful..looks a lot like Doc and is very spoiled...get's to sleep with Mom and Dad every night:)
    Kennel name, Doc's boy name Cash of Liniel

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