LexieCat Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 I got nervous when the doc came in and said, well, I got your scan, and it's kind of confusing. Basically, he said the radiology report reads a lot worse than he thinks it is. Here's what the pertinent part of the report says: Interval growth of airway centric nodule in the superior segment of the right lower lobe, for example measuring 11 x 6 mm on image 4/164, previously 9 x 3 mm, associated with distal centrilobular nodularity, as seen on images 164 through 181/4, concerning for endobronchial/peribronchial metastasis. A 3 mm solid nodule in the right lower lobe image 155/4 is new. Previously noted additional pulmonary nodules are as follows: Left lower lobe, pleural-based, measuring 3 mm, unchanged (4/126). Left lower lobe measuring 4 mm, unchanged (4/166). Left lower lobe measuring 2 mm, unchanged (4/183). He said that "interval growth of the airway centric nodule" that was "concerning for ... metastasis" didn't appear to be new at all--just a more defined spot that was already on the previous scans. He thinks it very well may be nothing but inflammation. The other, 3 mm nodule that is "new" he couldn't even find on the image where it was described. Even if it exists, he said, it's so tiny he's not worried about it yet. He says that, bottom line, if I were on a clinical trial he'd continue me on the same treatment. He sees no need to change anything at this point--he said the report isn't perfect, but he doesn't see anything that persuades him there has been any progression in the cancer. He also doesn't see any need to do another scan sooner than 9 weeks out, which is the normal interval. So there ya go. A bit of uncertainty, but as we all know, this disease is inherently uncertain. I'm not freaking out--he showed me the scans and compared them to the previous one and overall, it looks pretty much the same. I trust my doctor--I know he's not infallible, but if he's not worried, I see no reason for me to be. My labs were all fine and he said my magnesium (which was low last time) was in the normal range. They were about to infuse me with magnesium again (as last time), and I said, you might wanna check with the doc, because he said my magnesium was normal. They checked, and sure enough, I didn't need it. I try to always pay attention to what they are putting in me. Thanks for the good vibes--they helped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Good news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 Good enough--I'll take it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Good enough is good enough for me Cant wait to get my next scan since my last one was originally read as a recurrence, then after being reviewed by another oncologist and my angle pulmonologist we all agree it's most likely scar tissue. Like you, that was good enough for me. I bet your glad it's over for now. Always in my thoughts Peace Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 Yeah, I was just telling my family about the scan/visit, and as I told them, I'll take an oncologist's word over a radiologist's any day. The radiologists report what they (think they) see, but they are not the cancer experts. My oncologist said what he saw was consistent with inflammation he's seen in similar cases. I think he knows what he's talking about. Oh, and the scan also notes my still-unhealed collarbone. I had to cancel my last visit with the orthopedic surgeon due to the big snowstorm rolling in--I will be seeing him next week. I'm mostly not having pain there, but it's annoying not to be able to have full use of that arm for lifting, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Sounds like more snow is coming. Might even get some here...which is always a cluster when it happens. Be careful on that Ice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catlady91 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Scans are always confusing and not always very easy to interpret. It was the same with my mum's scan in August. They weren't sure if the tiny speck was inflammation or remaining cancer cells (it obviously was the remaining cancer cells as my mum had a progression/recurrence) and there was no way to really check unless you do a biopsy, but they said that it was too small to biopsy. It's good that your doctor thinks that everything appears to be stable and wants to continue with the treatment. I pray that there will be much better scans to follow for you, my mum and everybody else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 I'm being careful. I put salt on the small segment of ice between the curb and my car last night, so I could walk out safely for my appt this morning (7:15, had to leave here by 6:45). And it looks like light snow/flurries Thurs and Friday, and I have friends driving me for my surgical appointment. Should be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 1 minute ago, catlady91 said: Scans are always confusing and not always very easy to interpret. It was the same with my mum's scan in August. They weren't sure if the tiny speck was inflammation or remaining cancer cells (it obviously was the remaining cancer cells as my mum had a progression/recurrence) and there was no way to really check unless you do a biopsy, but they said that it was too small to biopsy. It's good that your doctor thinks that everything appears to be stable and wants to continue with the treatment. I pray that there will be much better scans to follow for you, my mum and everybody else. Thanks--I hope so, too--for all of us. One thing I have learned is that it's critical to maintain a flexible mindset. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Prepare for uncertainty (which is sometimes harder than the "worst"). I'm not claiming I'm zen all the time, but I try to be as much as possible. Talking it through in places like this helps. And there are always others with bigger challenges than I have, who handle those with grace and courage--I look to them as role models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catlady91 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 The unfortunate thing with cancer is that it's so unpredictable. I think that's the worst thing about it. Even if somebody is "cured", there's still a chance that it could still come back. Cancer doesn't only control the body, but the mindset. I too admire people who have been living with cancer for so long, but they don't let it affect or take over their life even in spite of recurrences and progression. Achieving that kind of mindset is incredible. Life is so fragile; the worst thing is to be reminded of it every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryG Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Lexi: Maybe we have the same oncologist, radiologist and scans .😊 I was also told about the inflammation and the need to continue with the same schedule. No progression beats the alternatives so congratulations. I plan to ask my oncologist to keep me on the current schedule as long as things do not get worse and I can tolerate the infusion. Normally I feel better 10 days after the treatment. This time around I still feel tired and sleepy with 2 days left til the next one. I hope this won't be the norm. Again congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Lexie, I'm calling it, on balance, a clean scan. I agree with your prospective that your med onc is a better judge of scans than a radiologist. The latter sees scans all day and while they do track previous scans, they sometimes just refer to the previous report, not the image. Thus the possibility of a "new discovery" being old information. Please be careful in the snow with your unhealed collarbone. A slip and fall might not be the best trip for you at this juncture. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Thanks, Tom, I think my experience here highlights that it's generally best not to simply release a radiology report directly to the patient. Had I read that on my own, I would have been inordinately stressed out until I saw the oncologist, worrying about progression and where we go from here. By waiting, I avoided that bit of unpleasantness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Cornett Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 I'm taking this as a good report. Stay safe in all of that snow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rower Michelle Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Sorry to ring in here late, your absolutely correct about the different interpretations between specialists. Happened to me for about a year, before the radiologist finally concurred with my oncologist. Each scan I would kinda pester my doc to show me the report at the appointment time, he did, but only after showing me the images. Last appointment he asked if I wanted to see the scans, nope. I didn’t feel the need to have a visual confirmation. All and all things are going the best they can minus that crappy weather! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Lexie, Wow...I was more behind than I thought...From everything I've read here it appears to be stable and that is good news. I go with the pics as interpreted by the Onc and his knowledge and his even comparing the two scans with you. So, good news! Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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