Friday, July 25, 2008

PET results are in ....

I finally got a copy of my PET report this morning. I *think* it sounds really good, but it almost seems too good, if that makes sense, so I'm waiting to hear what the doc's interpretation is before I really celebrate.

Here's the wording:

The patient has undergone resection of the previously demonstrated lateral left hepatic lobe metastasis since the prior outside study. There is physiologic accumulation of tracer within the remaining liver tissue, with no suspicious hepatic uptake identified at present.

Tracer distribution throughout the remainder of the imaged body is also physiologic, with particular normal concentration noted within brain, myocardium, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract. No areas of abnormal uptake are identified.

The lungs are clear. The heart is normal in size. The bowel is normal in caliber. There is no pleural effusion, pericardial effusion or ascites. Allowing for the lack of intravenous CT contrast, no focal visceral organ lesions are seen. There is no hydronephrosis, and no abnormal gynecologic findings are seen. .... No lymphadenopathy is identified.

IMPRESSION: Interval hepatic metastasis resection. No malignant findings at present.


There were a few other random observations in there that I took out, but that's everything relating to possible cancer.

The previous PET showed uptake in the left hepatic lobe (obviously) and also in the left supraclavicular lymph node and 2-3 lymph nodes in the right upper retroperitoneum. It also showed a solitary site of bone metastasis in the mid thoracic region.

And now, there's nothing ... hard to believe. The nurse I talked to about the report said the doctor (interventional radiologist who did the SIR-Spheres procedure) was very pleased, but that they didn't have the disc yet, so he was waiting to get the disc and look at it himself. So, I'm feeling like maybe they missed something that they'll find on a second look ... I'm just not used to getting *all* good news.

I probably won't hear from the docs until next week, so I think we'll spend the weekend feeling cautiously optimistic. Can't celebrate too much yet anyway because I'm still suffering with tummy troubles. Going in for more IV fluids today ...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping those SIR spheres did their thing.

Lots of love & good luck,

Bill & Meg

Anonymous said...

Though this is very hard for me to follow, the line about no malignant findings at present seems to say it all. That is great. i'll try to keep the caution, but I can't help but feel very good about this. Sorry you are not feeling well; hopefully this is a temporary trial on the way to beating this thing - Sharon

Anonymous said...

Good to hear. :-)

Anonymous said...

This does seem to be great news! Please keep us posted; hopefully the IV fluids will be stabilizing you soon.

Love,
Paige and Trey

Anonymous said...

Whoo hoo! Ok, wait, let's be cautious...but I'm at least excited that it has to be good news of some kind! :> Hope you are feeling better this week.

Anonymous said...

When does the doc gives his/her interpretation?