PET Scan Results

I went for chemo yesterday and got the results of my PET scan that was performed a week ago. Here is what it says in part: "There is intense FDG activity corresponding to an intramammary lymph node posterior to the sternum on the left.... This has increased in intensity when compared to the prior scan. Previously this had a maximum SUV value of 7.7, now it is 12.0. The nodule has increased only minimally in size. There is also a focus of increased activity at the same level but to the right of midline, and again likely an intramammary lymph node. Small foci of increased activity along the intramammary chain, left and right, likely due to matastatically involved lymph nodes."

The nurse just handed me the paper and said the doctor will discuss it with me on my next visit. So I'm assuming, based on my experiences from the past that this is not something to worry about and does not change my treatment because I had the same chemo yesterday as I normally do. I know that PET scans can pick up things that are not neccessarily problems. The nurse did say that sometimes even the chemo can cause things to look positive for cancer when in fact it is a false positive. (I wish I knew what FDG is and I'm 100% sure that SUV is not sports utility vehicle! I'll ask all that in 2 weeks.)

A few months ago my doctor said that typically with my kind of cancer it is not a matter of if the cancer comes back but when. I try not to think about that. I like to think that there is a miracle coming my way.

But if it does come back I have to change from my current to chemo to something different I will likely not be so lucky to keep my hair. At the moment I count it a wonderful blessing to have hair. I just feel freakish without it. I think Heavenly Father, in his eternal kindness is allowing me this very tender mercy. So I try to remember to be happy for hair everyday (I still have my fair share of bad hair days but let me assure they beat the heck out of no hair days!)

So today I'm laying around taking it easy. I'm grateful I can. And I know that tomorrow will be better! Dennis did most of the cleaning up before he left for work. He also drove me yesterday and inspite of where we went and what happened it is always wonderful to get to spend the day with him. Last week he took me to my PET scan also. I feel bad he is missing so much school but he assures me that it is just fine. What would I do without him? I rely on him so much!