Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

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crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby crikklekay » Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:27 pm

Hello!

My husband is almost finished with his treatment, so he has a chest/abdominal/pelvis CT scan scheduled for tomorrow to see if he is truly cancer free or if something nasty has popped up since his last scan in February(abdomen)/April(chest). I've been tied up in knots about it since it was scheduled and trying to keep myself busy so I can't dwell on it, though he seems to be taking everything in stride. Please wish us good luck/send prayers/etc our way. While the scan is tomorrow we won't know the results until his appointment next Tuesday so it's going to be a long couple of days.

On a separate note, I was reading articles on how to deal with scanxiety and saw an interesting quote: "For those of us with scanxiety it's not about what might happen but what did happen. Because the things that cause our anxiety already happened. For us, it's not so much about worrying as it is about remembering." I thought it was an interesting take on it so I wanted to share.
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby stu » Tue Aug 21, 2018 5:59 pm

All the very best with the scan,
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

Koreysue
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:36 pm

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby Koreysue » Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:09 pm

Hoping for great results! I love that quote. I suffer terribly from scan anxiety and I think this explains it well.
Take care,
Koreysue
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:58 pm

Hoping for the best. He looks like he's had a rough time of treatment.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

User avatar
Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby Atoq » Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:01 am

Good luck! I have my CT scan on Friday :D

Claudia
1972, 2 kids
Dx rectal cancer 10.2017
T3N2aMX (met left lung 8 mm)
Lynch neg
CEA 1.8
Neoadjuvant chemoradio Xeloda + 25x2 Gy
05.12.17 laparotomic surg. for blockage, colostomy
25.01.18 laparotomic lar, hysterectomy, ileostomy
05.03.18 core needle lung biopsy
07.05.18 CAT scan, lung met 11 mm
04.06.18 ileo reversal
26.06.18 wedge VATS
24.08.18, 31.02.19 CAT scan
12.09.18, 06.02.19 scope, CEA 1.6
19.11.18 scope
20.08.19 CAT, eco
13.09.19 scope, CEA 1.2
18.03.20 CAT, eco, scope, NED
29.11.20 CAT, NED
2023 NED

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby NHMike » Wed Aug 22, 2018 6:54 am

Atoq wrote:Good luck! I have my CT scan on Friday :D

Claudia


Time flies.

Hope that it’s clear.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

hiker
Posts: 139
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:15 am

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby hiker » Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:49 am

Praying for you this morning.

No doubt about it, the days leading up to the next scan are the worst. Early on in this journey I used to get worked up about them - couldn't sleep, eating was difficult, felt on edge, etc. But then one of my scans detected something early enough, that it saved my life. I was only about 2 months into chemo when a spot was picked up on a chest CT. My oncologist flat out told me she knew it was not a colon cancer met and that it was most likely some sort of infection. After a lung biopsy, we discovered that I had contracted Nocardia bacteria. Since MSK knew that it could spread to the brain, they ordered a brain MRI. Well, sure enough there it was - 7 small pockets of infection in my head. Once Nocardia spreads to the brain, things can get very bad very quick. They immediately started me on IV antibiotics which I did at home twice per day for 3 months, and then transitioned me to an oral antibiotic for another 9 months (which I am still taking). Luckily, it was caught soon enough that the antibiotics worked and the infection has completely cleared up based on the last MRI.

Now I view scans in a whole different light. Yes, they're still a bit stressful. But they may detect something early enough that it can be dealt with and may just give me a few more years on this earth.

hiker
Colonoscopy 2/17, 5cm tumor descending
Diagnosed stage iv, liver mets 3/17
Colon resection 3/17
Told surgery not an option, get my affairs in order
Meet w/MSK team 5/01/17
Folfox(3rds) 5/17-6/17
Liver resection/implant HAI pump 7/17
HAI pump chemo(5rds) 8/17-2/18
Folfiri+Vectibix(11rds) 8/17-2/18
Spot on chest CT 10/17
Lung biopsy (that was fun) 11/17
Nocardia bacterial infection w/spread to brain (this is serious) 11/17
IV antibiotics 12/17-2/18
Oral antibiotics 3/18-12/18
Clear of cancer since surgery

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby crikklekay » Wed Aug 22, 2018 9:26 am

Atoq wrote:Good luck! I have my CT scan on Friday :D

Claudia


Haha, scan buddies! Good luck to you too!


hiker wrote:Praying for you this morning.

No doubt about it, the days leading up to the next scan are the worst. Early on in this journey I used to get worked up about them - couldn't sleep, eating was difficult, felt on edge, etc. But then one of my scans detected something early enough, that it saved my life. I was only about 2 months into chemo when a spot was picked up on a chest CT. My oncologist flat out told me she knew it was not a colon cancer met and that it was most likely some sort of infection. After a lung biopsy, we discovered that I had contracted Nocardia bacteria. Since MSK knew that it could spread to the brain, they ordered a brain MRI. Well, sure enough there it was - 7 small pockets of infection in my head. Once Nocardia spreads to the brain, things can get very bad very quick. They immediately started me on IV antibiotics which I did at home twice per day for 3 months, and then transitioned me to an oral antibiotic for another 9 months (which I am still taking). Luckily, it was caught soon enough that the antibiotics worked and the infection has completely cleared up based on the last MRI.

Now I view scans in a whole different light. Yes, they're still a bit stressful. But they may detect something early enough that it can be dealt with and may just give me a few more years on this earth.

hiker


You know that is something I was discussing with a friend last night, her husband has had kidney issues and we found a lot of correlations in our husbands' treatments. I mentioned the CT scan we had that showed the blood clots and she told me it was a good thing they showed up on his abdominal scan because that means we caught it before it was life-threatening. So while I hope everything is clear if it isn't at least we should hopefully be finding the problem while it's small and manageable.
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby crikklekay » Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:01 pm

I am thrilled to say the CT scan came back normal, no signs of metastatic disease! My DH has his last round of Folfox 6 today and if his CEA levels are normal then the PICC line goes next week! If his CEA level is still elevated she wants to do a PET scan in a month to make sure there is no funny business going on, but if it's down or normal then he's good to go into recovery and prep for ostomy reversal!
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo

hiker
Posts: 139
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:15 am

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby hiker » Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:14 pm

I love good news! Congratulations.

hiker
Colonoscopy 2/17, 5cm tumor descending
Diagnosed stage iv, liver mets 3/17
Colon resection 3/17
Told surgery not an option, get my affairs in order
Meet w/MSK team 5/01/17
Folfox(3rds) 5/17-6/17
Liver resection/implant HAI pump 7/17
HAI pump chemo(5rds) 8/17-2/18
Folfiri+Vectibix(11rds) 8/17-2/18
Spot on chest CT 10/17
Lung biopsy (that was fun) 11/17
Nocardia bacterial infection w/spread to brain (this is serious) 11/17
IV antibiotics 12/17-2/18
Oral antibiotics 3/18-12/18
Clear of cancer since surgery

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby stu » Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:59 pm

Great news. Delighted for you both .
Hiker I am going to keep that thought close to the surface . After about 25 scans that my poor mother has endured I have had a little bit of a block with this one . Just what I needed to read .
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Big CT Scan Tomorrow, Wish Us Good Luck!

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:16 pm

Wonderful news! :D
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)


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