Hi kids,
I apologize in advance if I've already posted this here. I get confused about what I've posted on Facebook or what I've posted here.
I had the PET/CT yesterday, butt won't get any results until next Monday when I will get pulmonary function tests, meet the new oncologist and have a bronchoscopy/biopsy. BIG day coming up!
I was finally able to read the CT results from last week, and am feeling very reassured. I almost certainly DO NOT have lung cancer. What I do have is a large mediastinal node located directly adjacent and in between two major arteries (can't remember which ones right now). Node was characterized as "mild" (don't know what that means). There is nothing abnormal in my abdomen (despite what my husband said my onc said!!??!) I've got all my lab work back and it is just fine (CEA 4.2--stable for me). My white count was very slightly elevated which might reflect some sort of infectious thing---so maybe this is just a node doing what it's supposed to do if I have a low grade infection.
My feeling is that if indeed represents a new cancer that it would most likely be a lymphoma. The PET/CTs I've had over the years represent the equivalent radiation of >13,000 chest x-rays. That's A LOT of radiation, and lymphomas can be a consequence of that. I'm not that scared of lymphoma. I got lots of experience with it after DH was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma, and he's doing well after his bone marrow transplant. I love ironic things, and while this would be the ultimate irony, I'm not looking forward to the possibility.
Anyhow, I'm feeling much less scared and am pretty calm waiting for these results. I'm sleeping a lot, butt that's my main defense in coping with the wait.
Love you all,
Bev