michellep Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 If there was a ct scan and there were no comparisons to any priors for example, and the impressions showed bone mets, would you request further testing? It's my understanding that CT scan very often mimick mets in the bones. My husbands prior bone scan/CT showed bilateral inflammatory arthritis in April 2009. Also in April 2009 a duplex scan impression states there is no sign of any type of thrombosis yet July 2009 states right jugular vein thrombosis. How would you proceed? I've also heard this is not that uncommon in the elderly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 If they suspect bone mets they should do a bone scan to be sure. If you are not getting the answers you need from your doctors, I highly recommend trying to find other doctors. Do you have a comprehensive cancer center close to your home? Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 No such luck Susan...not where I live. But I will indeed talk to the doc about the bone scan. I've heard that CT's are famous for mimicking bone mets when it's just arthritis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Mom has had both bone mets and arthritis. The bone scan is the definitive sorter of what is what. Def push for a bone scan. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 It looks like we'll be able to review the comparison CT scan at the end of this month. Apparently the person who reads them has been on vacation and they tell me no one else can do it.(yea, right). However in the meantime the onc doc's PA called me last night and said not to worry so much about the bone mets that it's post likely arthritis but we'll check on a bone scan anyway. The thing that's bothering me right now is the fact the the pcp and the onc doc don't talk to each other. The pcp wouldn't know anything about blood work up or x-ray reports if I didn't fax them to him myself each week. Now the issue with my husband and his abdominal pain. The did an untrasound in the ER a few weeks ago and the attending physician gave him K-pak. Then, we keep waiting....still pain.....pcp calls in oxy's....still waiting. So, when the PA calls me last night I ask her....what about this pain? She says, geez I thought the pcp was looking into that. So, this morning I call the pcp and he says.....geez...I thought the onc doc was looking into that. Well, ALL MIGHTY GOD! It's not like I don't have my hands full taking care of hubby as it is, now I have to do their jobs too? Sometimes I hate docs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Geez--we are lucky in that mom's doctors talk to each other. I'd threaten to get them in a room and not let them out until they were all square on all tests and treatments! Sometime you gotta be a real bi#$h to get their attention. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 Maybe I could fly you here to beat their "behinds" for me? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianew Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I think some of these guys must skip a few classes in medical school. I recently went to see my PCP for the first time since just after I was dx and started treatment. He never mentioned my lung cancer, so I asked him if the oncologists were sending him reports like they told me they were. He just had a blank look on his face and said "I don't know, I haven't looked at your chart!" I think I need a new PCP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 My hubby's onc and pcp don't communicate either. Each week I fax the blood and x-ray's to the pcp myself. The frustrating part is that they give us conflicting instructions. It's like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing! Frightening to say the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I'll be happy to come beat their behinds for you. When mom sees her PHP, she tells her that she has been keeping up with her treatments and talks to mom's onc. regularly. It helps that the two practices are part of a groups that shares medical records electronically so she has copies of EVERYTHING. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 When we saw the onc this morning he wasn't happy about the comparisons CT readings still being out. I explained to him that the person who reads them has been on vacation and there isn't anyone else to do it. He asked if I would call and follow up when I got home. (Well, I guess I better since no one else will huh?) He said, at this rate he'll be scheduled for another scan. sigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 At least the Onc understands that this inunacceptable. Doesn't the person who read them have anyone who covers for him/her while on vacation> Sheesh. Go get 'em! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 You would think so huh? When I asked I was told, nope. Ya know Susan if you've followed our story you'll see that my hubby and I run into a brick wall almost every time we try to get things done. In fact, we're so used to it now that when something goes smoothly we ask ourselves....huh? Is this real? Think I'll ask for xanex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukla Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Hey Michelle - I have a stash of xanex and there are times, like the other day when insurance tried to kick glenn out of the hospital, when I needed half a one. It wears off in a couple of hours, definitely before it's time for your first cocktail. How far are you from a larger city? Could you get a new onc and pcp? Our docs used to have trouble - onc, pulmonologist and pcp, who doesn't round at the hospital, so then you have the hospitalists. Now what I do is when the order is written for a scan or bloodwork, I make sure that whichever doc is writing it puts a cc: on the results for the other docs. Then the imaging center sends it to everyone, or the lab, etc. I can't believe that you continue to have trouble with new issues. I would look into a larger center with a cancer navigator if it's doable. If not, Dr. West is a great connection. And you may need to make friends with the office manager or nurse in your pcp's office if you haven't already. I take cookies in and always thank them even if I don't really mean it that day. I agree with Susan that you should ask for a bone scan. There is also a special scan they can do of the carotid and jugular veins in the neck to see if something other than blood thinners needs to be done. A friend of mine went through this with her dad a few years ago and he had a procedure done at a university hospital to remove the clot. Keep your chin up! Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 I got a phone call today from the imaging place letting me know that the comparison CT scan report is ready. They said I could come pick it up myself. So, while hubby is having his blood transfusion (how many is that now?) tomorrow I'll go get it. Now sure if I should even read it, but I probably will. Next appt with the doc to discuss this scan is on the 26th. I listed in the "Hall Pass" section before coming here. I'm taking a day or two off. Need to re-group and pull myself together. I'll see you all soon. Hopefully with some good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 Well, while hubby was getting his transfusion yesterday I went to the imaging facility and picked up the comparison report. When they handed it to me it had "one staple" in it with big capital letters saying "To be opened by physician only". Just how long do you think that staple stayed? LOL The very second I got in the car my hands we just shaking and tears starting rolling down my face. I was soooooo scared of what I was going to find. BUT without further delay: Improvment..........Improvement...........Improvement It still says they suspect bone mets and recommend a bone scan. But I don't believe that since his bone scan in May said it was nothing but arthritis. I gotta tell ya....by the time we got home last night (transfusion was 11 hrs) I was just dog tired. I fed hubby and went straight to sleep for 10 hours! I'm so relieved! Maybe God finally heard the prayers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I love that report on the CT scan, Michele. You and hubby deserve the good news. Glad that you had a chance to rest/sleep. It can do wonders. Prayers continuing. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Oh Michelle, I can't believe I didn't get on to read this until now! Happy Happy Day. I'm thrilled for you guys. It's about time things started looking up for you. Enjoy. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I am so glad to hear your prayers were answered. And that you got a chance to finally take a deep breath and rest. Continued best wishes Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstdzy Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Michelle!!!!! How amazing!!!! That is just sooooo freaking COOOOOL!!!!! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukla Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 WOOO HOOO! Hooray, it's about time you had some good news. And a long sleep. Hugs and prayers. Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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