Great News!!

So, on Friday September 15th at my last visit with Dr. Lu ( my oncologist), he told me that my PET scan was terrific! My lung is clear and things seem to be moving along the way we want them to. He did caution me that I am at high risk for return or spread of the cancer one to two years from diagnosis. So we need to monitor closely.

On September 19, at my appointment with my radiation doctor, he said nothing at all lit up in the PET. there is no sign of the cancer at all! But, again, I need to be checked and monitored closely so we catch any recurrence quickly. Did I tell you they determined by the size of the tumor when they removed my lung that the cancer had probably been growing in there for 10 years?

I have a CAT scan scheduled for the first of December and a mammogram for next week.

Thank you to all of you who continue to pray and send good wishes my way. We know in our hearts all that love and concern made a difference. I can never repay you all or explain how grateful we are. you changed our lives and we are very grateful!!

Lead Lined Syringe

These are images of the syringe that the tech used yesterday on my PET scan. After reading more about the scan last week, I was curious about how they contained the radioactive tracers.

It is a specially designed syringe that is lead lined to protect the techs from over-exposure to the radioactivity. The techs even wear badges that track their exposure. The IV needle they put in your arm to receive the glucose is actually smaller than a normal IV needle - which was a bonus.

And because they are shooting you full of a concentration of glucose that is straight sugar, you have to have a finger prick blood test to see if you can tolerate the sugar. My sugar levels are "perfect". Yay! - I don't have to worry about diabetes she said..

I will find out on September 15th or 19th what the PET showed. In the meanwhile I am making plans, keeping busy, and to lower my anxiety I am trying to be crafty on the weekends (since the Mariners have let me down and I can no longer watch them, without extra anti-anxiety pills!) Does anyone want a home-made apron?