Don M Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I had a chest ct scan with contrast to take a closer look at my pneumonia and mediastinum. The chest ct scan was done about a week after the PET/CT scan. I notice that the CT report refers to the feature in my right lung apex as a loculated right apical pleural fluid (related to the pneumonia I think), which I think is the feature that the PET/CT scan refers to as a hypermetabolic nodule. So, maybe I have no new disease. Also, the ct scan listed nodules in my liver, middle lobe and lower lobe that are highly likely to be metastatic but they don’t light up on the PET/CT scan and except for 2 in the liver, are all less than 1 cm. I think all of these features were noted in ct scans done in 2004 and 2005. After 2005 I started having PET/CT scans and these areas have never lit up. Borderline swollen lymph nodes were noted. There was nothing new at the mediastinum. I have had some borderline swollen nodes for years. The radiologist who did my chest ct report never had access to my 2004 and 2005 ct scans. I see the docs at Swedish on the 17th. They can help me sort through all of this. I am going to take in all my 2004 and 2005 reports and maybe the old scans too. I still may have progression of the big tumor and I have just about made up my mind to have systemic treatment. I see Dr. West on the 17th and if he encourages me to do systemic treatment now, I will do it. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Sounds pretty encouraging to me, Don. Maybe something like scar tissue for the most part? Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Ditto on the "sounds encouraging" front. How has your cough responded to the antibiotics/steroids? (Also, by the way, how was your PO pneumonia diagnosed, did they take a culture---or was it just breathing x ray & ct?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 Adrian: I complained of a cough and had a chest xray and they diagnosed post obstructive pneumonia. My cough seems better now. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Sounds like everyone is on top of things, prayers for the best Don. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I hope all goes well when you see the doctor. Let us know what happens after your appointment. Crossing my fingers for a good solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fight Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Don, As always it sounds like you are right on top of things. The report does sound encouraging. Meeting with the doc will make everything clearer. Take Care, Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Don, Hoping for the best on Sept. 17th. You are quite a fighter and you have good doctors. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Don, Sending prayers for good results of your appointment September 17th, just next Monday. You always find a good plan. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leela Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Fingers crossed for the 17th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Once again I come with nothing less than the very best wishes for you, Don. You are like a ninja warrior ~ only much, much cuter . You know what I tell you over and over and over all the time ~ you are just remarkable with your handling all that comes your way. I'm waiting for the post where you FINALLY get to say something like this.........all issues appear to be resolved!!!! You SO deserve to hear those words, Don. In the meantime, here come my prayers ahd positive vibes to join with all the others to carry you through. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I'm with Kasey -- I want to hear an "all systems normal" report! Good luck on the 17th; I'm adding my prayers to the chain. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Looking forward to seeing how the appt goes. Keep us posted.Sending good thoughts your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Good luck on the 17th. You're in good hands with Dr. West. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Don, As always, my prayers are with you. Will be looking for your update . God Bless, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Good luck on your appointment Don. Always my best wishes for you. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Of course you know I will be thinking of you and will have you in my prayers. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexan Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Good luck n the 17, you know more than the docs. Thinking of you\ Hugs 7 prayers bucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonjo Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Don, Good luck on the 17th, I'm pulling for you! God Bless, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hi Don, I am sorry the scans are so iffy. Those darn radiologists. Good idea to carry the old scans in with you - I have zero trust for radiologist reports. Prayers for wisdom and the courage to walk forward in faith. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hi Don, I hope that the radiologist is talking about old stuff that's been there for a long time. I think they tend to do that. I had a crazy call from a radiology tech right after I got home last spring from my annual ct and surgeon's visit who looked at my CT and declared it as fine. They wanted to know if I was getting mammograms yearly!!!!! Because they saw irregular tissue in my left breast!!!!! I said yes, as a matter of fact I had breast cancer surgery in that area in 2001 and didn't they see surgical markers, etc. And I just had a mammo less than two months ago, are you saying I should get another one? Of course, the clerk who called me with that news only had the message to deliver and had no other information. Now I've become a raving lunatic, and I make a frantic call back my doctor, who confirmed that nothing had changed in the past year, so what they are looking at is old news and nothing to be alarmed about. But talk about stopping your heart!!!!! What is wrong with those people????? Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your post, I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes those people don't look at the old films, even if they do have access to them. My lymph nodes were also "borderline enlarged" at diagnosis, but were negative when tested through pathology. Anyway, good luck to you with Dr. West on the 17th. I'm confident he'll help you get this sorted out. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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