PET Scan | Team Denise!

Tag: PET Scan

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

PET Scan #4 Nov 2009 – Results

Got the results from Dr Deleon today and I have to say that I am Happy.
Very Happy.
Very.
Very.
Happy.

The Results…

Interpretation of scan via Burzynski Clinic (treatment clinic)
The follow-up study again shows a parenchymal density involving the left breast with minimal activity. This has significantly decreased since the previous study. The size also has decreased when compared with the previous study of 08/10/09. It is difficult to have an accurate measurement due to the difficulty in separating the normal tissues from the abnormally active parenchymal tissue. No axillary lymphadenopathy is present. No other abnormal hypermetabolic activity is identified in the chest. No enlarged lymph nodes are shown in the mediasternum… Again noted is a sclerotic lesion involving the ribs, spine and pelvic bones, suggesting osseous metastatic disease. These are not hypermetabolic.

CHEST: STW
Left breast mass: 20% decrease since previous (August 2009); 47% decrease since baseline (April 2009)

Report via Houston Medical Imaging (scanning facility)
IMPRESSION
PET CT scan is negative for definite active neoplastic disease. Left axillary lymph nodes have completely resolved and changes noted within the left breast are consistent with post therapy fibrosis. Osteoblastic bone lesions exhibit no measurable hypermetabolic activity.

No Current Abnormal Hypermetabolic Activity.
Dr. Deleon has been Very Clear in cautioning me – this is Not remission, this is Not cured.
Supposedly, the cancer is currently Dormant.
Dormant.
Treatment Must Continue.

I will continue to do so as long as I can afford it.

So… things appear to be going well.
For now.
For this I am Extremely Thankful.

Thank you for your support
Thank you for the strength of your prayers, kind words of encouragement and good wishes.

Please Don’t Stop.

Scans of the full reports:

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Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in hope, Results, scared, Tests | 3 Comments »

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

PET/CT Scan #4 – Done

Had PET/CT Scan #4 today, every three months and this was the time… the third one at Houston Medical Imaging. Again, the cost was $1,200.00, out of the fund… ouch. Yep, a financial hit.

It was another good experience; Juliette was the tech this time, though we did get to see Zaki while there – they are both such nice people. Congrats to Juliette & Diego on the birth of their new daughter – she is Beautiful! Mom and I talked with them both for a bit about their new addition, they are so proud!

Back to business – the stick was good and easy, I hardly felt anything! Juliette gave the infusion… again, I had to wait a period of time- around an hour, and then the test commenced. That took another 40 minutes or so. Overall, it was tiring…

PET Scan #3 (and the Baseline Bone Scan) were also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.
PET Scan #2 was also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.
PET Scan #1 was not such a good image, leaving the results with lots of questions, and recommendations.

Again
I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.

(Results will – of course – be posted when I get them)

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Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, frustration, hope, Tests | 1 Comment »

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Bone Scan #1 – Done

Did Bone Scan #1 today… not AS expensive as the Pet/CT #3, but still had to hit the fund… this time for $360.00. Bone Scan was at Houston Medical Imaging and the first one I’ve done. It’s necessary, cuz we need to see what is up with the suspected tumors on my spine.

To go back over my story…

From what I’ve been told, the cancer has metastised / spread to my bone, to the vertebra in my lower spine. We’re not sure just how bad it is cuz I didn’t have a baseline scan done. A baseline would show where I WAS (back “then”), vs where I Am Now (whenever “now” is).

The radiologist’s report from my PET/CT scan #1 (March 10 2009) suggested several times due to “suspected metastisis”, to have a bone scan done, but this was never relayed to me.

PET/CT scan #2 (April 16 2009) showed more specific area of concern, but I had just received a shot of Neulasta (due to chemo), which causes the body’s bone marrow to “go into overdrive” to help recover from high-toxcity chemotherapy. Such extra activity could be misinterpreted in a PET/CT, but could also, just as easily, be a true metastisis… These areas were identified as spinal tumors at Burzynski Clinic.

My 3rd opinion, from Dr. Emile Salloum (of Christus Spohn Cancer Center in Corpus Christi, Texas) was hopeful that these “suspect areas” were a false positive due to a combination of arthritis and Neulasta. I’ve never been diagnosed with arthritis though it is very prevalent in my family. A “false positive” would be the Most Preferred outcome – Of Course! And I Am Hopeful! However, I Also have to keep a touch of reality and remember that I was mistreated for 8 months, and that is a long time to be walking the wrong path…

Back to the Bone Scan…

Again, it was a good experience; again Zaki was the tech, and he did a good stick, Not as good as yesterday, which was relatively painful, this one did cause a small prick of discomfort… He gave the infusion… this time I had to wait TWO Hours before testing began! Mom and I drove around, and found an Awesome Thai restaurant, had lunch, then went back to the Lab. At about 12:30, the test commenced. That took another hour+.

Again, it was tiring…

Again, I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.
Again.

Mom took photos…
again

(Results HERE)

Tags: Bone Scan, Dr Salloum, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Cancer, Tests | 6 Comments »

Monday, August 10th, 2009

PET/CT Scan #3 – Done

Did PET/CT Scan #3 today… the second one at Houston Medical Imaging. Had to hit the fund for $1,200.00…

It was a good experience; Zaki was the tech and he did a Great stick, I didn’t hardly feel a thing! He gave the infusion… again, I had to wait a period of time before testing began, I believe it was around an hour this time, and then the test commenced. That took another hour+. Overall, it was tiring…

PET Scan #2 was also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.

PET Scan #1 was not such a good image, leaving the results with lots of questions, and recommendations.

I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.

Mom took photos, on her cell phone cuz I forgot the camera…

(Results HERE)

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Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, frustration, hope, Tests | 6 Comments »

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

PET/CT Scan #3 and Bone Scan #1

“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–
Of cabbages–and kings–
And why the sea is boiling hot–
And whether pigs have wings.”

The time for me is my 3rd PET/CT Scan

Scan #1 was The Lie

Scan #2 was The Fear

What will Scan #3 be…?

PET/CT Scan #3 will be Monday, August 10
The PET/CT Scan will tell us what is going on with the cancer… if it has shrunk, if some of it has died… or… if it has grown… if it has spread…

Bone Scan #1 will be Tuesday, August 11
The Bone Scan will tell us what is going on with the tumors in my lower spine… and if the metatisis has spread to other areas…

Mom is in town, so I’m not alone

Results should be received by week end.

Please pray…

Tags: PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Cancer, Family, Medical Procedures, Mom, scared, Special People | 4 Comments »

Friday, April 17th, 2009

PET Scan #2 – Results

It’s like I’m in some cosmic toilet that just keeps flushing, and I’m the turd that just manages to hang on.

Yes, the preliminary results are in, and they are not good. They could be worse And I imagine they will be, cuz we are waiting on more results.

Let’s present the “good” news…

While the size/condition of the breast tumor has not diminished enough to be considered significant, the activity within the 6 lymph nodes Has decreased considerably. So, the “evil of chemotherapy” seems to have done Some good Despite the “totally wrong” vitamin regime I was on.

Now, on to the Bad News…

We appear to have Metastasis

There are (most probably) 4 vertebra tumors – T9, L2, L3, L5 and possibly the mid sacrum (definition of sacrum) or see this illustration

So… the backache I’ve had the past 6 months is Not attributed to my weight or being out of shape, it’s most likely attributed to cancer in my bones.

Metastastic Bone Cancer.

Secondary Bone Cancer.

Bone Cancer.

Unfortunately, the Neulasta, which promotes the production of white blood cells, also makes it difficult for the PET to distinguish between healthy bone overproducing cells and cancer. So it will be 2-3 months after I stop taking the Neulasta before we can get a truly accurate reading for the bones. The vertebra are pretty definite in reading, it’s the long bones that we are not sure about…

But wait boys and girls, there’s more.

My liver enzymes are up very high. Too high. So high in fact, that it’s indicative of metastasis to the liver. Those results won’t be in til early next week (April 20-24), but it’s pretty much a given.

And… for the cherry on top of my party

Since we have activity in the bones and (probably) liver, we need to do a scan to check the brain cuz breast cancer typically metastasis to the bones, liver and brain.

At this point, I’m looking less like a Stage 2

and more like a Stage 4.

It’s a party.

In my Body

A cancer Party.

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.

I’m screaming.

Tags: bone cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in anger, Cancer, despair, Emotions, Results, Tests, venting | 5 Comments »

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

PET Scan #2 – April 16 2009

Went to take the 2nd PET Scan today. What a difference from the first one – in many ways…

Location:
Houston Medical Imaging
3310 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77098
713.524.9555

Technician: Juliette

It’s really a beautiful building with a nice courtyard and central fountain… someone there is a collector of geodes and rock/mineral formations cuz there were Many of them, especially the Enormous one at the front door. It’s a purple amethyst geode, probably close to 6ft tall. Too bad someone painted the outside green, cuz it looks like a big misshapen pickle…

Anyway, back to the PET Scan
It was $1400, and that was the discounted rate. Wham.

The prep for the procedure itself was much different than the first one at North Cypress Medical Center.

At Houston Medical Imaging, first Theresa, the orderly, put me in a room, sat me in a nice comfy overstuffed recliner, and covered me with a blanket. There was no TV or phone like at North Cypress Medical Center, but I had brought the laptop that Rob was lending me, so that I could Blog, and Mom left her cell phone so I could make calls (she was waiting in an outer waiting room while I was being prepped).

Then the technician, Juliette, came in to administer the trace. We talked a bit as I was prepared for the injection. She was recently expecting, so she could not administer, but she was there making sure everything went as procedure required. When she saw the cell phone, and I asked to plug in the laptop, she looked at me like I was crazy.

What she told me was pretty much as follows:

~This is a very sensitive test, and in order to get accurate results, you need to lie as still as possible, no unnecessary movements, no stimulation – no phone, no laptop, no water, nothing. We will administer the injection, then we will turn off the light and close the door. You will need to relax for the next 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, you will go to the bathroom and empty your bladder, and then you will have the scan run.~

Wow. BIG difference from the first test… could be why it was “subpar”.

The only thing, besides the actual test being performed (of course) that was similar between the 2 scans, was that both places had very nice people. That helps…

So they injected the trace, wrapped me up, turned off the light and closed the door… I quickly realized I was getting cold, so I did call out for more blankets, which were brought, plus an extra one to wrap my cold head. For the next 45 minutes I drifted in and out of a light snooze.

When the time was up, Theresa came to escort me to the Scan Room, and we got it going. I’m not claustrophobic, so I managed to fall asleep a couple times during the scan too.

I hope we get a good read and some good news comes my way. So much bad news lately.

After the scan was complete, Mom and I packed up and I went back to work.

I get the feeling there will be quite a few days like this… medical tests and then back to work. ~sigh~

(Results HERE)

Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, hope, North Cypress Medical Center, Nutrition, Tests | 4 Comments »

Friday, March 13th, 2009

PET Scan – Results

Dr Keller FINALLY called with the PET (Positron Emission Tomography ) Scan results today. Seems there was a miscommunication between him and the Radiologist as to who was to contact me. I Would have thought it would be Dr. Keller, since he IS my Dr. But better to get the info late Friday than to have to wait out the weekend.

Despite how I feel cuz of the chemo, it’s not such a bad day for me. According to what Dr. Keller read to us (both me and Mom) from the report, the results show that the cancer has not spread! He said that there was no evidence of the cancer having spread (aka metastasis), that it was all contained within the breast!!! We Are Sooooooo Relieved!!! Now I can get a bit more normal sleep!!!!!

Not all good news – a tad of slightly bad – Dr. Keller did say that there were 2 lymph nodes which look to have some cancer activity. Dr. Keller stated that the chemo should address them, they will most probably be removed when I have my surgery and then be hit with the radiation treatment after surgery. He said that I have been staged at a “Stage 2″. YAY!

The most common areas that breast cancer spreads is the brain, the liver and the bones. With a full year of incorrect treatment for a staph infection, I was Very Scared for a negative result. Seems I dodged a bullet, A Big Bullet, so I can sleep a little easier!! And I Will!!

I may have breast cancer now, but I will be a Survivor.

Cancer Glossary:

https://www.breastcancertreatmentcoach.com/glossary.html

Tags: PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Cancer, Dr. K. Keller, North Cypress Medical Center, Results, Tests | 5 Comments »

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

PET Scan – March 10 2009

Went to take the PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) today. Technology is So Awesome!

Location:
North Cypress Medical Center
Imaging
21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 130
Cypress, Texas 77429
832-912-3625

Due to my situation (no insurance), the cost was $700 – I got a discounted rate called “Fee for Service”. Is still a Lot of $$$ for me…

Getting this test done was pretty frustrating. The original appointment was for Friday March 06, but “the machine was down”, so it was rescheduled 3 times until the machine was actually up and running. Finally was set for Wednesday March 10 at 1pm. Mom and I were in the area a bit earlier, so we stopped by to see if they cold take me earlier, and they were able to. However, no one had called from the hospital to remind me NPO after midnight until the test. Good thing I hadn’t eaten/drunk anything after midnight, nor any breakfast. Geez.

I got started about 11:30am…

The prep for the procedure itself was relatively easy. I knew I’d be getting some type of injection of radioactive liquid (called “trace”), then wait about 40 or so minutes, then get the test. Nothing by mouth after midnight the evening before.

I sat in a medical chair and got the shot intravenously, then I was brought to a lead-lined room with a big recliner, a TV and a phone, and was to remain there for the duration to allow the trace to circulate through my body and get to where it needed to get to for the test. Was kinda nice to be able to watch TV in the middle of the day, didn’t use the phone though.< I got a nice warm hospital-type blanket to cover me, and bottled water to drink. I drank 3 bottles, so I was up a couple times to go to the bathroom!

When the time was up, we went to take the test. The machine is like a big tube – kinda sci-fi looking, so I was comfy with that. I’m not claustrophobic, so it didn’t bother me to be enclosed like it was. I think I might have even fallen asleep too.

Everyone was very nice.

Should know something early next week – I hope I get good results!!

(Results HERE)

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