March 2010 - PET scan scheduled

Well, here we are into March of 2010 now and it's been a tolerable winter for the most part. I've just confirmed and received my acknowledgement for my next scheduled PET scan which is in 6 weeks (April 12th) with a follow up including labwork at the Cancer Center on April 16th. I've been trying to keep thinking positive since my diagnosis and see no reason to stop now.

When you stop and think about "life" there are many things that make you wonder about and really don't understand. By helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer and trusting in our Lord, it has helped me and I'm ready for whatever is dealt my way. While we are here on Earth, one thing is for certain, nobody gets out alive...

Round 11 (of 12)

Well, I'm into my ELEVENTH Round of chemotherapy now. My oncologist told me today that the neuropathy will probably still be evident for another several months. For that reason, they will be doing follow-up bloodwork, CEA blood tests, PET/CT scans and mediport maintenance.

It went okay today and some of the nurses came by to "remind" me that the end is near. It's nice of them, but I don't need to be reminded. I'm kinda/sorta at the point where I've had enough. It will be great to be disconnected for the LAST time and to eventually have the mediport taken out of my chest.

That said, I still don't want to get ahead of myself because any little thing can change the schedule and/or progress, which has been very good so far with only one setback that delayed treatment back around cycle 5 I think?

PET and CT Scans

Within a few days, I was back at the hospital's radiology department for the subject scans. Approximately one hour after drinking something to help show certain areas in the scans, I was brought to the scanning lab.

The equipment used for the scans was very similiar to an MRI machine. For one of the scans, I was given an IV of F-18 FDG for imaging procedures.

This was right before the big Memorial Day (summer kickoff) weekend and I was told that the reports would be read by the next morning.