The Pet-Scan:
Thursday had to eat a low carb diet for the test. Managed to keep it down to below 60 carbs for the day (if the low carb pasta box didn't lie). Of course I stayed up until midnight instead of hitting the hay early.
Got up 2 hours early to get to the patient sign-in at the emergency room for my pet-scan. Had to sign in at 7:30. Got all registered and at 8:15 was 'escorted' to the mobile unit. After inserting the IV needle the tech measured my glucose level. It was 121 (should be 100 or lower with fasting), but it was within the limit. Then the other tech came and injected me with the radioactive isotope in a glucose solution. He said it was a very short lived radiation, and should be out of my system by 5pm. I asked about our 'kitties' and he said there shouldn't be a problem. Then I 'rested' in a recliner in a dark room for about 30 minutes, after which time the first tech took me to use the restroom before the actual scan. We got back to the mobile unit and I went into the room with the scanner. Took off my shoes and layed on the 'bed'. At least with the glucose there wasn't any 'funny' feeling coursing through my veins. I just had to lie there while the machine moved me in and out with long pauses inside the machine. Didn't have to hold my breath either. Whole scan took about 30-40 minutes. Hopefully it will show that the cancer is gone (or at least not active).
Next stop was to get a bite to eat and then to work. Handout they gave me said to resume normal activities.
The gals at work are wonderful. Diane got 'glow stick' necklaces for everyone to wear so we can 'glow' together (kept joking during the week that I would be radioactive and glow). I even got a necklace and bracelet. They are soooooo great and supportive! Ya gotta love them.
That's it for now ... Dr. appt and ritux next week. The report should be ready by then and I'll let everyone know the results (of course!)
Love to all
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tests / Results / Treatment / Another test
Well, here’s how the week went.
Monday: went for CT-scan, blood draw, and EKG.
Downed the barium an hour before (not too bad if you drink it fast). Got to imaging center at 9:15 and checked in. Had an IV access put in my arm for the contrast injection and went to the lab. Only difference this time when they injected the dye was more of the ‘hot’ feeling through veins. Last time it was mostly like a hot poker up my butt, this time it was more like straddling a radiator. Not bad, just very, very strange and thankfully very short lived.
Next went to get blood drawn (tech left the iv access in my arm so the lab didn’t have to poke me again … yea!). Got the blood drawn and then had until 12:45 for my echo. Window-shopped at Staples, then over to Shopko where I bought a pair of pants. Had a burger at Jack-in-the-box (slooooowwww order window .. now remember why I never like to go there). Enough time passed so I could go to the Heart Center.
Echo went good. Tech said I had a very photogenic heart! Couldn’t tell me how I was, but did say if I was bad she would have called someone in to look. Very good tech, she explained a lot of the images and showed me where they looked for possible chemo damage (valve leaking), which didn’t seem to show up on my images. Whole thing took about 40 minutes and I was on my way back to work to finish up day.
Thursday: Doctor appointment, results & treatment.
Jim took the day off and took me in to the doctor since I wanted him there with me to hear results of tests. Was amazed when I got in to see doc only 5 minutes after scheduled appointment (usually wait 30-45 minutes). Up 4 pounds from weekend (gotta do something about that when all finished), blood pressure up more than I like, but lower than last visit (it goes down when I go upstairs for treatment).
Blood work good (glucose down 22 points from last time), no echo results yet but he figured must be pretty good from what I told him while getting the echo, CT-scan results were some tumors smaller, others considerably smaller. The report had some concern about the large mass, but when Dr. Grosset took a look at it he said the way they measured it (in the long direction) showed it as more of a 2-dimensional rather than the 3-dimensional it really was. He pulled up the original scan and there was a major difference. He said the report had it more like comparing a ‘breast’ to a ‘pair of pants’. The first scan looked as if the mass was fuller and rounder while the second scan looked as if it had flattened out (long and thinner). Reminded me more of a filled balloon and then a deflated (but not fully empty) balloon. He said not to be concerned of what the report said about it. He then talked about radiation (I think maybe the report might have mentioned that as an option). His concern was that the mass (lymph nodes I think) were close to my bowels. The intestines move around, so that wasn’t the concern as much as possible pulmonary-something damage. I think it has something to do with the attachment to the bowel, so discounted it as an option. He also said that since a PET scan wouldn’t really tell anything different than the CT scan he didn’t think it was necessary. After he pulled up a flowchart, he said that the scan was mandatory, so he ordered it for me.
Things must be going well since he only ordered the Ritux and not CHOP. Have to do 3-4 (not sure how many) to catch up with the amount he wants me to have. Could have it every week or every two weeks .I opted for every two weeks to give me a break unless he thought I should go every week. He scheduled me for the two week one. He did seem pleased with the results (looked up from my chart and smiled) and away I went. Next infusion October 1.
Upstairs to the Cancer Center, and 3-1/2 or so hours later was outta there! Nice not having the CHOP. Everything went fine with the infusion. Blood pressure ended with 123/64, 98 temp (usually run 96-97.6), heart rate in 80’s, and oxygen rate at 98 (had a couple of times at 100! Never had that high … usually 97-99). Stopped for a burger on way home (didn’t have the lunch since I had a late breakfast) and chilled out. Took a nap for couple of hours and then of course later couldn’t fall asleep. Was going over and over in my head about what the doctor said and how to put it into words for everyone. Finally around 2am I went into living room and slept for 3 hours in my recliner, then back to the futon until time for thyroid pill. Sure don't miss having to take the Prednisone! At least without the CHOP my hair falling out should get a break. It's coming back, can't tell if it will be curly, but it sure is soft.
That’s all for now will post about PET scan prep on next post.
Love to all
Monday: went for CT-scan, blood draw, and EKG.
Downed the barium an hour before (not too bad if you drink it fast). Got to imaging center at 9:15 and checked in. Had an IV access put in my arm for the contrast injection and went to the lab. Only difference this time when they injected the dye was more of the ‘hot’ feeling through veins. Last time it was mostly like a hot poker up my butt, this time it was more like straddling a radiator. Not bad, just very, very strange and thankfully very short lived.
Next went to get blood drawn (tech left the iv access in my arm so the lab didn’t have to poke me again … yea!). Got the blood drawn and then had until 12:45 for my echo. Window-shopped at Staples, then over to Shopko where I bought a pair of pants. Had a burger at Jack-in-the-box (slooooowwww order window .. now remember why I never like to go there). Enough time passed so I could go to the Heart Center.
Echo went good. Tech said I had a very photogenic heart! Couldn’t tell me how I was, but did say if I was bad she would have called someone in to look. Very good tech, she explained a lot of the images and showed me where they looked for possible chemo damage (valve leaking), which didn’t seem to show up on my images. Whole thing took about 40 minutes and I was on my way back to work to finish up day.
Thursday: Doctor appointment, results & treatment.
Jim took the day off and took me in to the doctor since I wanted him there with me to hear results of tests. Was amazed when I got in to see doc only 5 minutes after scheduled appointment (usually wait 30-45 minutes). Up 4 pounds from weekend (gotta do something about that when all finished), blood pressure up more than I like, but lower than last visit (it goes down when I go upstairs for treatment).
Blood work good (glucose down 22 points from last time), no echo results yet but he figured must be pretty good from what I told him while getting the echo, CT-scan results were some tumors smaller, others considerably smaller. The report had some concern about the large mass, but when Dr. Grosset took a look at it he said the way they measured it (in the long direction) showed it as more of a 2-dimensional rather than the 3-dimensional it really was. He pulled up the original scan and there was a major difference. He said the report had it more like comparing a ‘breast’ to a ‘pair of pants’. The first scan looked as if the mass was fuller and rounder while the second scan looked as if it had flattened out (long and thinner). Reminded me more of a filled balloon and then a deflated (but not fully empty) balloon. He said not to be concerned of what the report said about it. He then talked about radiation (I think maybe the report might have mentioned that as an option). His concern was that the mass (lymph nodes I think) were close to my bowels. The intestines move around, so that wasn’t the concern as much as possible pulmonary-something damage. I think it has something to do with the attachment to the bowel, so discounted it as an option. He also said that since a PET scan wouldn’t really tell anything different than the CT scan he didn’t think it was necessary. After he pulled up a flowchart, he said that the scan was mandatory, so he ordered it for me.
Things must be going well since he only ordered the Ritux and not CHOP. Have to do 3-4 (not sure how many) to catch up with the amount he wants me to have. Could have it every week or every two weeks .I opted for every two weeks to give me a break unless he thought I should go every week. He scheduled me for the two week one. He did seem pleased with the results (looked up from my chart and smiled) and away I went. Next infusion October 1.
Upstairs to the Cancer Center, and 3-1/2 or so hours later was outta there! Nice not having the CHOP. Everything went fine with the infusion. Blood pressure ended with 123/64, 98 temp (usually run 96-97.6), heart rate in 80’s, and oxygen rate at 98 (had a couple of times at 100! Never had that high … usually 97-99). Stopped for a burger on way home (didn’t have the lunch since I had a late breakfast) and chilled out. Took a nap for couple of hours and then of course later couldn’t fall asleep. Was going over and over in my head about what the doctor said and how to put it into words for everyone. Finally around 2am I went into living room and slept for 3 hours in my recliner, then back to the futon until time for thyroid pill. Sure don't miss having to take the Prednisone! At least without the CHOP my hair falling out should get a break. It's coming back, can't tell if it will be curly, but it sure is soft.
That’s all for now will post about PET scan prep on next post.
Love to all
Friday, September 12, 2008
Where has the time gone?
Wow ... another week gone by ... where did it go?
Saturday did another trip into town with Jim ... enjoyed it and slowly getting used to it. Don't think I'll go every week, but once or twice a month will be fine.
Sunday was putting away canned goods from shopping, and ended up reorganizing a section of the pantry. Put initials of content along with use by date on the can ends. Found a lot of them that were good until 2003-2006!! Had to hold myself back from doing entire pantry since every time I moved something I found another can. Decided I'd do a section a weekend.
Monday through Tuesday were 'as usual'. Eight hour days, then home.
Wednesday I worked 9-3/4 hours ... wound down pretty fast around 7:30, but all in all felt pretty good. Sure slept good (shame on me ... not much liquid intake ... but didn't have to get up so many times to pee during night).
Thursday had to go back to Spirit Lake with a keyboard and mouse (forgot to take usb set when I went on Tuesday to install new computer), but managed to do only 8 hours!
Friday (today) came in early for manager's meeting (I'm considered 'e-branch' manager), and will leave at 4pm instead of 5. I called the dr.'s office to find out if I do 'labs' on Monday, or Thurs before dr. appt. Labs, CT scan & EKG are all scheduled for Monday. Doctor appt & treatment (whichever he decides from results), will be on Thursday.
That's about it .... sorry I didn't update sooner. Will let you all know anything I find out about test results as soon as I can.
Love to all
Saturday did another trip into town with Jim ... enjoyed it and slowly getting used to it. Don't think I'll go every week, but once or twice a month will be fine.
Sunday was putting away canned goods from shopping, and ended up reorganizing a section of the pantry. Put initials of content along with use by date on the can ends. Found a lot of them that were good until 2003-2006!! Had to hold myself back from doing entire pantry since every time I moved something I found another can. Decided I'd do a section a weekend.
Monday through Tuesday were 'as usual'. Eight hour days, then home.
Wednesday I worked 9-3/4 hours ... wound down pretty fast around 7:30, but all in all felt pretty good. Sure slept good (shame on me ... not much liquid intake ... but didn't have to get up so many times to pee during night).
Thursday had to go back to Spirit Lake with a keyboard and mouse (forgot to take usb set when I went on Tuesday to install new computer), but managed to do only 8 hours!
Friday (today) came in early for manager's meeting (I'm considered 'e-branch' manager), and will leave at 4pm instead of 5. I called the dr.'s office to find out if I do 'labs' on Monday, or Thurs before dr. appt. Labs, CT scan & EKG are all scheduled for Monday. Doctor appt & treatment (whichever he decides from results), will be on Thursday.
That's about it .... sorry I didn't update sooner. Will let you all know anything I find out about test results as soon as I can.
Love to all
Friday, September 5, 2008
Good day
Woke up today feeling pretty darn well ... chipper even! Hopefully it will last for the weekend. Plan on doing more sewing and 'stuff'.
My aches and pains from chemo/ritux have subsided. Never really bad, just annoying. I think most of it comes from the neulasta shot (and a little from the prednisone which stays in the system for awhile).
Not much else to report (does this sound a bit repetitive?), except the tomato plants are setting lots of fruit. Not much chance of anything getting big enough to ripen (freeze is only a matter of weeks away). At least they 'look' like they'll give us something. Pepper plants have lots of buds and not much else ... squash have a few leaves and lots of blossom promise. Oh well, we've got such a short season to begin with .. (couple of weeks behind Coeur d'Alene), that unless you have a greenhouse it's all a crap shoot as to what you eventually harvest.
Love to all
My aches and pains from chemo/ritux have subsided. Never really bad, just annoying. I think most of it comes from the neulasta shot (and a little from the prednisone which stays in the system for awhile).
Not much else to report (does this sound a bit repetitive?), except the tomato plants are setting lots of fruit. Not much chance of anything getting big enough to ripen (freeze is only a matter of weeks away). At least they 'look' like they'll give us something. Pepper plants have lots of buds and not much else ... squash have a few leaves and lots of blossom promise. Oh well, we've got such a short season to begin with .. (couple of weeks behind Coeur d'Alene), that unless you have a greenhouse it's all a crap shoot as to what you eventually harvest.
Love to all
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Another week gone
Another week coming to a close. Little more tired this time than last cycle. Fell asleep watching TV again .. what else is new ;) .. Don't feel 'too' bad, always get a boost when I come to work ... everyone perks me up so much. Today just felt 'off' in the morning ... better as day goes on ... think I just pushed a little too much this weekend and now paying for it ... oh well, things are bound to get better right?
Did a little sewing over the holiday, and have a bit more to do, then will be putting machines away for a while (want the living room back) ..
Not much else to report ..
Love to all
Did a little sewing over the holiday, and have a bit more to do, then will be putting machines away for a while (want the living room back) ..
Not much else to report ..
Love to all
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