The PET scan was not clean.
The PET scan continued (third scan in a row) to show low-level abnormalities in the left lung. Dr. O thinks it's residual radiation damage, but unnamed Dr. Radiologist wrote on the report that those are usually gone within 9 months after radiation. My radiation ended 8 months ago. Per usual, my result falls into a gray area.
The PET scan also showed low-level abnormalities in my left chest wall. This too is probably part of the recovery process, but here again the conclusion is that it has had nearly ample time to recover. This result combined with the above result equals a breast MRI at noon today. I might get those results today, if a radiologist is available to read the results. More likely is that I'll get the results on Monday. I'll let you know in the comments.
Isn't a "breast" MRI a moderately offensive misnomer to investigate an area from which the breast has been removed? I suppose "breast" is used generally to refer to the region at large, but it is nonetheless irritating for a person lacking a literal breast. But I digress...
And finally (no, we're not done yet), the PET scan showed a low-level abnormality in my colon somewhere. This means I get to have a colonoscopy on February 21st, and I hear that they just do biopsies as needed during the procedure. Good times.
Hence the 2.5 designation of my ranked outcomes from the previous post. I should have known that I would get results that fall awkwardly between my expectations.
Dr. O is not alarmed by any of these things. She does not expect any dire outcomes, although I don't feel that she sufficiently explained why or why not. I, on the other hand, am disappointed and of course moderately alarmed. I have been told before not to be alarmed but then what was the outcome? Oh, right. Inflammatory breast cancer. So I will take a deep breath, and another, and another, and try to slow my 104 beats-per-minute heart. I certainly don't need that body part to fail me now.
I forgot to say that the rash is nearly gone. So in case you were looking for it, there's your positive result for the day. :)
ReplyDeletethank you for the detailed post. Wish I was sitting with you waiting for your next appt.
DeleteH-Bomb, bleh. That's what I say. What a bummer, darling. You are in my thoughts today.
DeleteHeather - I can so be where you need me to be today. As far as the "you can't be too alarmed by this" advice of Dr. O - I'm reminded of an old SNL skit where technicians are trying to determine how much water to use to cool the nuclear reactor:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmRcwCF9qQg
Hope this adds a brief bit of levity to the slow hours of waiting.
That's awesome, Lori! I'd never seen that skit before, and that's exactly how Ian and I felt when Dr. O said that she wasn't excited by my results. Not excited as in not agitated, or not excited as not amused?
DeleteI remember this skit kind of blew my mind for awhile and I wanted to talk to everyone about it, get everyone's take on double entendres and how they could even exist. People just looked at me like I was crazy. Well, I am sometimes, but I just want to know what it all means, ya know?
DeleteBig HUG to you HK. Great news on the rash. ...these pesky PET scans may come to be your best friend with what they can detect/prevent but soooooooo want a clear one for you. I love you super sized!
ReplyDeleteWish we were at a 1 today. This sucks. All the uncertainty has to be exhausting - I know I am feeling a nice slice of that with this news today. I love you and wish I were with you today.
ReplyDeleteWell, if colonoscopy's the game, Colon Blow's the name:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/colon-blow/229046
Your road will be repaved in due time, but until then, we must continure to fill in the potholes.
Love you so much, my dear sister.
...and by continure, I meant continure. It's a new word that I recently submitted to urban dictionary.
ReplyDeleteDefined
continure -- the act of proceeding as originally planned, until interupted by a either a worn serpentine belt or falty alternator. Ex. "Hey Daryll, I don't think we can continure much longer. The Corsica...she ain't runnin' so well. Better make camp by the river in Stuurt (sic), and continure in the mornin'."
So hilarious despite the smells of mildew and sweat that my mind conjured at the word "Corsica".
DeleteI am sorry to hear the results are in the grey zone. So frustrating!! Sometimes I wonder if not knowing is worse than knowing?
ReplyDeletePlease know that I am sending healthy thoughts your way! It sucks to have to go under more tests and I will be thinking of you (and sending you lots of virtual margaritas!). HUGS!
Thanks, Rachelle! I think I could use a Mugarita from Pedro's today.
DeleteBoooo... Definitely Margaritas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a day. But after all of this I am delighted to report that the chest wall and lung look great by MRI. So I asked Dr. O about all of the fuss, and she said 1) we need to be careful since I had IBC (hey, I appreciate that), and 2) I did receive a LOT of radiation. So those two parameters put me in a special worry zone, apparently. Turns out I can handle it. Boom. Time to chillax until the next test on Feb. 21.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are great.
Oh my eff-ing goodness! So happy!
DeleteWonderful news! I am fiercely hoping and holding you until Feb. 21. I have a feeling we will be hearing some more good news after that "fest" as well. Big hugs!
DeleteGreat news! Yikes.
DeleteBomb ish! as my kids would say. So happy for you. Here's to you, H-Bomb!
ReplyDeleteSo glad about the chest wall MRI. One less thing to worry about, right? That's what I'm "continuring" to believe, anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteFingers cross for good results on the 21st!
xoxo
When I awoke from my 1st colonoscopy the first thing I heard was my nurse telling me to roll over and fart. 20 minutes later I was at the Waveland West cafe having breatfast wiith my father-in-law. Piece of cake chickie-poo.
ReplyDelete