Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

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del
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 11:21 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby del » Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:14 pm

Hi, I haven't posted on here for a long time because life has been pretty uneventful in NEDville. But every now and then, my cancer recurrence fears rear their head. The past 5 weeks I've been having dizzy spells, to the point I think I'm going to faint. More recently I've had headaches and ringing in my ears. Initially the docs thought it was something to do with my heart as I had a pulmonary embolism last month. I've had every cardiology test possible and now that the heart has been ruled out, they are thinking neurological. I was sent for a brain MRI yesterday. I just got a call back this morning asking me to come in for another MRI today, this time with contrast, because the radiologist wanted to take a closer look. This has got me really anxious now. I know brain mets from CRC are rare, but there are a few people on this board who have had them and cancer doesn't always play by the rules, so right now that is my biggest fear. Has anyone else been called back for a second scan? :cry:
Male, 33 @ dx, stage 1 RC (T1N0M0 mod. diff. 0/29 LNs)
2016-02 - Cancerous polyp removed during colonscopy, 0.5 mm margin
2016-03 - ULAR & TME surgery, temp ileostomy
2016-04 - DVT, pulmonary embolism
2016-11 - Ileostomy reversal
2018-10 - Another DVT & PE
2021 - 5 years of clean scopes/scans/bloods

SurvivorsSpouse
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 12:38 pm

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby SurvivorsSpouse » Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:52 pm

Good luck, just for peace of mind, brain mets are rare in the first place, and even more rare in the absence of other identified mets, particularly lung.

Odds are on your side.

del
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 11:21 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby del » Thu Nov 22, 2018 2:39 am

Thank you SurvivorsSpouse. I have avoided googling but I remember reading that brain mets are pretty uncommon. Hoping this is all nothing to worry about.
Male, 33 @ dx, stage 1 RC (T1N0M0 mod. diff. 0/29 LNs)
2016-02 - Cancerous polyp removed during colonscopy, 0.5 mm margin
2016-03 - ULAR & TME surgery, temp ileostomy
2016-04 - DVT, pulmonary embolism
2016-11 - Ileostomy reversal
2018-10 - Another DVT & PE
2021 - 5 years of clean scopes/scans/bloods

bitchslapped
Posts: 1538
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
Location: PNW/USA

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby bitchslapped » Fri Nov 30, 2018 11:56 am

del wrote:The past 5 weeks I've been having dizzy spells, to the point I think I'm going to faint. More recently I've had headaches and ringing in my ears.


Hope the docs were able to get to the bottom of the above issues w/2nd MRI. Results?

Best Wishes
BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

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

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby hiker » Fri Nov 30, 2018 12:43 pm

del wrote:Has anyone else been called back for a second scan?


Heck yes. Several times. The last time was a month ago. Had my usual throat to rear CT scans w/contrast and a 1.4 cm nodule was picked up near by original colon resection site. Went back for an MRI w/contrast two weeks later. Turned out to me a pocket of fluid. Last year I had my usual CTs which picked up a spot on my lung. Went back two weeks later for another CT. Next up, lung biopsy which confirmed it was a deadly bacterial infection. Since this infection can spread to the brain, a CT of my head was ordered. Yup, something there. Then an MRI of my head. Not only is something there, but seven somethings are there - pockets of infection in my brain. Thank God MSK picked this up quickly and got me on the correct antibiotics immediately or I wouldn't be typing this right now. Moral of the story - scans can save your life.

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

del
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 11:21 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby del » Sun Dec 02, 2018 5:55 am

I received the second MRI results and it's mostly good news - there is nothing immediately worrying and nothing cancer-related. But they did find some white matter lesions, which is unusual for my age, so I need to follow up with a neurologist. Anyway, for now I'm relieved :)
Male, 33 @ dx, stage 1 RC (T1N0M0 mod. diff. 0/29 LNs)
2016-02 - Cancerous polyp removed during colonscopy, 0.5 mm margin
2016-03 - ULAR & TME surgery, temp ileostomy
2016-04 - DVT, pulmonary embolism
2016-11 - Ileostomy reversal
2018-10 - Another DVT & PE
2021 - 5 years of clean scopes/scans/bloods

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

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sun Dec 02, 2018 12:52 pm

I'm glad it's nothing cancer related and hope you won't have to wait long to see a neurologist!*hugs*
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! :)

bitchslapped
Posts: 1538
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
Location: PNW/USA

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby bitchslapped » Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:35 pm

Keep us posted, del, on what's up w/that. Definitely take those "wins" when they come along. :)

Best Wishes
BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

bitchslapped
Posts: 1538
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
Location: PNW/USA

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby bitchslapped » Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:49 pm

hiker, That is one of those OMG stories. :shock:
Were any of these "pockets of fluid" termed as abscesses, symptomatic @ all?
The reason I ask is that when it comes to lung nodules the "watch & wait" strategy is common. Wondering what was different that MSKCC continued to pursue w/scans, MRI, biopsy, etc.

So glad that turned out well for you!

Best Wishes
BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

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

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby hiker » Sun Dec 02, 2018 7:15 pm

Hey BS,

I honestly don't remember what the radiologist labeled them on the report - I can't make heads or tails of those things...it's like they're speaking in tongues. I had absolutely no symptoms from the lung or brain infection. My oncologist and the infectious disease expert at MSK said I should be dizzy, having headaches, problems seeing, etc. Not a thing. My wife said it was because there wasn't much up there to begin with, but the MRI proved that I do indeed have a brain.

I can tell you exactly why every hiccup I've had has been pursed - Dr. Nancy Kemeny. I've never met a doctor like her. Brilliant, to the point, a real fighter for her patients. I could tell you a story about my lung biopsy experience that you probably wouldn't even believe, but I swear it's true. I love her.

Right now, thank God, everything is good. Just finished my last 2 antibiotics this morning so hopefully this infection is finally dead. 3 months of self-infused IV antibiotics twice a day and 9 months of oral antibiotics (that's 1,350 double strength pills of the powerful stuff) and I'm good as new.

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

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: Scanxiety - called back for a 2nd MRI

Postby mpbser » Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:43 am

Great news! What a relief, I bet. :D
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED


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