Scanxiety--1st time UPDATE

[Bev G]

Hi all:

I am having first time scanxiety today--for my husband, not myself. Today was his "make it or break it" follow-up on his stage IV lymphoma. There is still a chemo option left if he's not in complete remission, but it's not a great one. My absolute expert on lymphoma, our own "IceGal" has been a God-send and is incredibly knowledgable about everything lymphoma, and has been amazing in spending tons of time with me on the phone. Here's what I just pasted on my Facebook:

OK, I admit it, I've gotten a tad princess-y regarding scan results. Really used to getting them within an hour or so, instead of three days or so. We've been really lucky in that the same nuclear radiologist reads our scans each time...so he knows both of our guts really well. This is by far the safest way to have it done. Since he didn't call, I called him to try to catch him before he went home, and he's just really backed up today, and hadn't "finished" reading Steve's scan (geez, I could read in to that endlessly---but I won't)--so, no results until tomorrow Yick! That'll teach me to be more patient (probably not).

I have had, I think 9 PET/CTs now, and will have my next one in July. I really don't think about them much: If it's back, it's back...ya know? But this one...geez, it could just be a whole big ol bowl of bad all at once. Also, the fact that we have gotten done none of the all important paperwork that he was initially on board for in January, will NOT discuss the possibility of selling our house (which would easily hold of family of 10) etc, etc. There is so much left undone. Ah well, I guess tomorrow is soon enough to find out how the path will bend this time.

Bev

[BrendaB]

Crossing fingers and toes it's all good results!!

[BrownBagger]

I got it pretty bad waiting around to get my recent MRI. The biggest problem was that it took about a week to get the scan scheduled, so I had plenty of time to stew over the horrible possibilities. With CTs at MSKCC, it all happens so quickly and the results come back so quick that there's never much time to get all worked up.

I don't know what to say, Bev, other than the standard observation that the scan just lets us know what the situation is--it's passive. And (I keep trying to tell myself when I feel this way), bad as the results may be, better to get cracking on addressing them now than weeks or months from now when they can only get worse.

I offer this in the unlikely event that it might help.

All my best to you and the Good Doctor, Bev. If you're like me last week, you're freaking out over nothing. Let's hope!

[CheeseHead]

Hope you'll get a good result tomorrow, Bev. Nothing much left for me to say that you don't know already...

Hang in there,

Cheese

[beth568]

Hoping for the best for you and Steve, and hoping that you'll be able to find some distraction this evening in a book, a movie, some sleep...

And Bev, I think it was you who reminded me of exactly what BB just said when I had my first bout of scanxiety - that all we get with these reports is information, which is better to have than not.

Hugs to you. Keep us posted.

[juliej]

Here's hoping the path stays straight and there are no bends around the corner! I bet your radiologist is just busy and wants to take extra time reading Steve's scan because he knows you so well and wants to do a thorough job. Just breath and know you are loved by many.

xo,
Julie

[IceGal]

Aw, sheesh, Bev - waiting sucks!

Sure am hoping that the news is good, but, if it's not so good, there is more than one option still out there. He might even end up on GemOx, which includes our very own favorite - oxaliplatin! (Then he'll REALLY know what you went through on chemo!)

A couple of folks from the lymphoma board have gone on that cocktail this year, and were relieved to be able to get all of the oxali side-effect info and first-hand accounts from right here at the ColonClub (yup - info here helps not just us colorectal folks).

Hugs and strongest thoughts to you - talk to you soon

[Ashlee H.]

Got my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed. Sorry they are making you wait. You both have been through a lot - let's pray tomorrow brings a ton of good news!
Hugs and love,
-Ashlee

[mlibertone]

Praying for good results for you and your husband. Waiting is not any fun at all especially in situations like this. Your mind can get away from you. Hope you can find something interesting enough to keep yourself busy while you wait.

[Bev G]

Aw, sheesh, Bev - waiting sucks!

Sure am hoping that the news is good, but, if it's not so good, there is more than one option still out there. He might even end up on GemOx, which includes our very own favorite - oxaliplatin! (Then he'll REALLY know what you went through on chemo!)

A couple of folks from the lymphoma board have gone on that cocktail this year, and were relieved to be able to get all of the oxali side-effect info and first-hand accounts from right here at the ColonClub (yup - info here helps not just us colorectal folks).

Hugs and strongest thoughts to you - talk to you soon

Oh, Laurie, you KNOW I adore and cherish you for many reasons, but when I read OXI, I spit my coffee out! This guy is a surgeon! A surgeon on OXI? I never even took the stuff and I can imagine it (I'm a FOLFIRI girl ) Can you imagine? Well, I know...it is whatever it is. He is absolutely and resolutely convinced he will practice medicine until he is 68...if it keeps him going I'm all for it. I don't personally think that's going to be able to happen, but I DO believe it's God's will, not mine, for Steve and for me.

Thank you all for your wonderful and heartwarming and supportive messages. You keep me going when I need it, and I love you all!

Bev

[esk2poo]

Bev,
Praying everything will be fine for you guys.

About the house, you probably won't be able to sell it with all those plagues you got going on there anyway!
Good luck,
Allen

[lohidoc]

"This guy is a surgeon! A surgeon on OXI? "



I must once again take a firm stand with you here. I am (or was) a surgeon and took OXI, the full blast. And, if I may say so, I took it well. You have a jaundiced view of our kind, possibly related to some family dynamics. (cannot do smilie)

On a different note, I'm having a CT next week and am in a total funk. I've been having some minor symptoms, can almost convince myself that these are not cancer related but as the scan draws close I feel myself getting very worried. Most unlike me, I've had a very sanguine view of the whole cancer thing up till now. But in my way of thinking next week will tell me if I'll live or die. If my cancer is back, within a year of diagnosis, despite optimal and apparently successful treatment I figure the writing is on the wall.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and your dear husband. Good luck!

[Rob in PA]

Bev, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Steve, not just tomorrow but July as well. As we talked in a PM, I also have a PET in July and even though it is weeks away....the scanxiety is starting. Sorry I didn't get back to you after our last PM, got some issues going on on the homefront with my daughter that I think I will post on a new thread to get some feedback on. Don't want to hijack this thread.

Good luck tomorrow.

RM

[BrownBagger]

"But in my way of thinking next week will tell me if I'll live or die. If my cancer is back, within a year of diagnosis, despite optimal and apparently successful treatment I figure the writing is on the wall.

I wouldn't necessarily jump the gun to come to that conclusion. I know what you mean (felt the same way on more than one occasion), but that would be a premature assessment, I think. I guess it gets down to what you mean by the writing on the wall. We can discuss it in another thread if you want.

[Badass]

Hi Bev,

Just wanted to add my support as well. I am really, really pulling for both of you!

Jane