The Roller Coaster Continues - PET Scan Results

Well, after I wrote that last e-mail about how relieved I was that only one nodule was found, I received a call from my oncologist informing me that they wanted me to have a PET scan to see if there was anything else out there that wasn’t captured in the CT scan.

On Saturday, I went back down to Stanford for yet another test. I don’t know how many of you have had a PET scan before, but it’s not a whole lot of fun. First, they inject you with tracer fluid and then you drink a lovely cocktail (so they could add another CT scan) and then you are put into a machine with your arms over your head and told that you cannot move for the next 25 minutes. (The tech did tell me that I could breathe during the exam. Strangely enough, I don’t think that he was joking. Do people really ask him if they can breathe during a 25 minute exam??)

On Monday morning at 10:30 am, I received the call from Dr. Fisher The PET scan confirmed the presence of the cancerous growth that I mentioned in my previous blog posting. Unfortunately, that wasn’t all that was abnormal in the PET scan. The scan picked up 2-3 additional abnormal growths in my colon area. I write “area” because the PET scan cannot discern whether the spots are on the inside or the outside of my colon. On the up side, there was no sign of cancer in any other place in my body. (I’ll find that silver lining…)

So – what does this all mean? It looks like I will definitely have to surgically remove and/or radiate the location of the 12 mm nodule. This was not a surprise, since they were confident last week that this nodule was cancerous. I have an appointment on Friday with Dr. Hussein, the same gynecological oncology surgeon who performed my hysterectomy, for an examination and a discussion regarding her recommendation for future treatment.

As to the 2-3 spots in/near my colon, we have a few steps ahead of us. First, I will have a colonoscopy on Thursday for the doctors to try to determine whether I have cancerous nodules in my colon. Obviously, we are praying that they determine that what they saw is not cancerous (since PET scans are known to produce false-positive results). If they do find cancerous nodules, our next hope is that they are localized within my colon. If that’s the case, they may be able to approach these cancerous sites much like they will the other nodule – with some surgery and radiation. If, however, they determine that there is cancer floating outside of my colon, then most likely, my oncologist will recommend another round of chemotherapy. Needless to say, that is the least enticing of these options.

This has been a tremendous blow to me and my family. I am unable to put into words the emotions that swirl around us every day as we face this very strong adversary. But I will live. I am determined. Heck – Ellie and Ari are determined. I told them that I needed them to help me heal by making me laugh more. I don’t know if you’re familiar with 6 year old humor – but the jokes really are not very funny. But, what warms my heart, is their dogged determination to come up with ways to make me smile and their joy when they hear me laugh. They now have a role to play in helping mommy become healthy. We are a team, together with all of you, and I just know that with all of your amazing love, support, determination and laughter that we are going to succeed.

Results

Late this afternoon, I received a call from Margreet (Dr. Fisher's right hand) regarding last night's CT scan. Apparently, I have a 12 mm nodule that is cancerous. They believe that it was derived from a cancer cell that was on the outside of the area that was flushed with chemo. The very good news is that there is no sign of cancer in any other location in my body (liver, lungs etc.) In fact, there is a possibility that they will be able to cut the nodule out and/or hit it with localized radiation rather than going through chemo again. Dr. Fisher has been out of town and will be back tomorrow night to review my CT scan and make his recommendation as to the appropriate course of action.

Needless to say, we are very happy with this news. Of course, I still have cancer and it will have to be treated, but I am no longer in the dark abyss that kept me up all night.

I am so grateful to my wonderful OBGYN who insisted on doing my routine pap smear and for the fact that somehow he was able to locate this cancer. At the risk of sounding preachy, I hope that this is a reminder to everyone that routine tests are so very important. Please don't put off the pap smear, colonoscopy, mammogram or whatever else is on your list.

Now - I'm off to do a puzzle with Ellie and dance with Ari....

A Recurrence

About 2 hours ago, I received a call from my OBGYN. After a routine pap smear, he called to let me know that the test shows that I have cancer cells. We don't know very much now. I will be heading down to Stanford tonight for a CT scan and then we'll know the extent of the cancer and then determine the best way to move forward to treat it.

I am fairly distraught right now. I debated putting this out there before we knew more, but I figured that I could use a lot of prayers right now.

Please pray for me and my family. Please hug your family. Please stop worrying about the stupid, petty things. All that matters is your health and your family. Every minute, every hour, every day is a blessing.