Rower Michelle Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 Warning: long post and I promise it is good news! Scroll down to the bottom if short on time. The summer just seems to be flying by. This week it was time for my semi annual re-staging scans-four scans in total: brain MRI, CT-chest/abd/pelvis and labs. It's a long appointment at the hospital because I prefer the "one and one" trip. I wasn't overly worried going into these scans because I've generally been feeling well (minus the typical side effects of targeted therapy). I had an excellent PT session the day before, acupuncture that morning, and 5mg of Valium on board... totally zen place right? The labs and CT scans were run through very quickly. Even though the place was a total zoo, the nurses and techs were moving like a well coordinated team. There was about an hour delay for the MRI, so while I was waiting in a private room; the CT scan results popped in-15 minutes after the scan. Now I was in a quandry, should I peek at the results? The TV had on the food network of which I had zero interest. I looked around for the remote and it was no where to be found to change the channel... so what the heck.... the big decision to peek. I wish I hadn't as a different radiologist (who has never reviewed by scans before) wrote a lengthy report. For those of us who have been around for a long time; we're accustomed to seeing our reports get shorter; not longer over time. This doc was completely geeked out on all sorts of technical terminology. For the first time in four years, it looked like there could be disease progression noted. I was numb. No emotion, no reaction. Time was passing in the waiting room and the nurse suggested if I had a second valium; to take it soon. No problem there; bottoms up. So now I had 10mg of Valium on board. Loopy city. The MRI went quickly-out in about 30 minutes. When my husband picked me up at the hospital I decided not to tell him about the CT scans. I didn't want to upset him unnecessarily. Long ago, I made a deal with my oncologist not to Google CT scan reports. BUT I never committed to sharing results with my friends..... I sent a screen shot to my Lungevity Phone Buddy. Her read was the scans were fine and it was a poorly written report. Then I spilled the beans to hubby and immediately regretted doing so. The angst was heartbreaking. Our appointment was schedule the next morning; so we would have the clarification we needed. I always write a memo to my Onco in advance of the appointment to say what's on my mind.... When he walked into the room he said: "so what kind of clarification do you need on your scans??" My doctor recognizes me as a peer and this was one time I was squarely in limbo land...... Bottom line: The scans are NED; all of them. The radiologist wrote a overly complicated report; and once again the reason for this very lengthy note is to remind people to always wait for your oncologist to read the scans.... and rely on your Lungevity friends to carry you through the tough times! Scruboak, catlady91, LouT and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susanrae Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 Yay!! Very happy for you!! Justin1970, Rower Michelle and catlady91 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 Michelle, NED is so wonderful! Enjoy.... Stay the course. Tom Justin1970, Rower Michelle, catlady91 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck K Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 Michelle I should've scrolled to the bottom first My heart was racing reading the post till I got to NED. Happy for you Michelle. Take care LouT, Rower Michelle, Justin1970 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin1970 Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 Michelle That's fantastic I'm so pleased for you well done Take care Justin x Izzy, LouT, catlady91 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA NYC Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 Big congrats to you on such great news! LouT, Rower Michelle and Justin1970 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 Michelle, Love hearing NED for you...it's been a good week. Lou Justin1970 and Rower Michelle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pstar Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 That is great news Michelle. Rower Michelle, Justin1970 and LouT 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyMir Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 So happy for you Michelle! Now time for you and husband to celebrate after such anxious moments! Rower Michelle, LouT and Justin1970 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Cornett Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Great news - congratulations! Rower Michelle, LouT and Justin1970 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Whew, what a relief. Congratulations! Rower Michelle, Justin1970 and LouT 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Yay, yay! Wow, wow! I'm thrilled to hear your results! Rower Michelle, Justin1970 and LouT 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen_L Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 I'm having a heard time tracking posts these days, so I just found this. I relate to the numbness. I've come to recognize the names of radiologists who write valuable reports and those who do not. If I get a report from one who is in the latter category, I can wait until a conversation with other folks on my care team. My own radiologist ignores the reports and just reads the scans. I'm grateful for that. And, I'm so, so glad for you. I hope your autumn season will be lovely. Karen Rower Michelle, LouT, Justin1970 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opal Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Sorry I'm seeing this so late, But I am SO happy for the great ending!! I just knew it would be a happy ending!! You Go GIRL!! And thanks for your words of wisdom. Opal Rower Michelle, LouT and Justin1970 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catlady91 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Excellent news Michelle!! Xx Justin1970, Rower Michelle and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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