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I'm Carole, living in London, happily married and mum to two amazing boys.I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal Cancer in April 2010. Surgery took place in November 2010 and I now have a permanent colostomy...Spinal mets were then diagnosed in October 2011...In January 2012 I was told of further spread to the hip area (multiple lesions)..My life expectancy is now 6-9 months. Walk alongside me on the last part of my experience with this..

Wednesday 1 September 2010

PET Scan day....

Today I had my PET Scan..

First had a chat with the Radiographer - usual stuff, do you have diabetes, are you full of metal, what medication are you taking....sign the forms.
Then we had a brief chat about the actual scan and I asked if my chest/lung area would also be scanned, told him about the dodgy ache in the chest area and explained that the CT/MRI scans are not showing anything.

He went off for a bit then came back and said that he'd discussed it and yes they would now scan my chest area too in light of what I'd mentioned, as the CT/MRI could potentially miss tumours in this area if they were very small/early tumours.
He also said he thought it was a good idea for me to have this scan as it would clarify exactly what was happening with the rectal tumour and has the ability to identify any new 'hot-spots'....
I got the impression that he didn't think it was a waste of time or 'not really necessary'

Anyway, after this chat they lay you down on a bed in a quiet area...everyone has a little cubicle with a curtain to draw round for privacy and there's about 6 beds in there.
They come round and put this radioactive stuff into your arm, dim the lights and say 'That's it, have a sleep if you want and we'll wake you in about 1.5hrs'...off they go.
I couldn't sleep because I wasn't actually tired but also because the man in the bed opposite mine was snoring his head off and he sounded like a volcanic explosion :-)

When the time is up, they take you to the PET scan machine and you simply lie there as still as can be for 30 minutes whilst the machine does it's stuff. Then you go home and wait for the results.

Tomorrow I'll email the original hospital and get a new appointment organised with the surgeon to discuss the results and next steps.



11 comments:

  1. Fingers, toes and eyes all crossed for the results, Carole.

    love, Shents xxxxxxxxxx

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  2. Glad all went well sis.
    This scan results will help you (and the doctors) understand what you are dealing with. Keep up the good work sis, your strength in fighting for your rights is giving encouragement to others who may otherwise just follow the doctors path without question.
    love from lit sis
    xxx

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  3. Great love i`m so glad that you pushed them to give you this scan , why do we have to fight for these things that should be offered in the first place.xxx

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  4. Hi Mum, I suspect it all boils down to cost. PET scanners are not common place in most NHS hospitals and they probably hope we don't find out too much about them or we'd all want one :-)

    Shents....uncross those eyes, you'll not be 5th best bowler next year if you're all cockeyed :-)

    Sis, don't worry I shall be battling them all the way to the finish line - unless I think they're totally right without question of course...:-)

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  5. So glad they covered all bases while they were at it.Hope you dont have to wait too long lovely girl.thinking of you,
    Rose xxx

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  6. Hey aunty,

    I'm about to start making this a habit. Saves you from having to reply to my emails, especially considering most of the questions I ask you are answered here anyway!

    I'm glad you got the pet scan out of the way, don't you dare stopping fighting for every scan/test/consultation/medication you want!

    They like to makes things hard for you, they like to tell you not to ask for "innecessary" things. Well I say screw them! You ask and you keep on asking till you get it.

    Should you want to stage some sort of sit-in (if you don't get what you want) then I'm there.

    And no its not my teddy I swear! :-)

    lamia xx

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  7. Whatever lays in wait for me tomorrow thank you for the inspiration you've given me to face it with a strong resolve.

    David [X]

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  8. Don't worry Lamia, if I need any protest banners made I know where to come now :-)

    I think they know I'm an official nuisance now - but if it helps someone else realise that you CAN stand up and ask for things, then it's good as far as I'm concerned.
    None of us should feel that we have to just follow blindly whilst we've still got unanswered questions. It's all about informed choice.

    David, thank you and good luck. I'll be thinking about you until you let me know your results. Got everything crossed for you.
    Remember it can and no doubt will change your life - but it's just not allowed to do any more than that... xx

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  9. H Carole so glad your a fighter not only that but a wicked sense of humour too!
    Keeping everything crossed for the results thinking of you always lots of love Wendy Woo xxx

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  10. Hi Wendy, nice to see you here....:-)

    Will let you all know about results as soon as I hear.

    I confess, I did nothing about contacting the other hospital yet to rearrange my appointment and get results.....

    I want to be left alone by them for a few days - every day they DON'T contact me is another day I get to keep my bum :-)))

    Much luv, Carole xx

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  11. Hi Carole,

    Everytime I get a bit down I read your entries on here...you are a true inspiration and am so glad you got your PET scan...yes like you said probably down to cost and they wanted to leave it until the cheaper scan could pick it up (when it was potentially bigger)! Good luck with the results...I have my scan check in October to see if there is any spread so due to the fact I didn't have the chemo will be pushing for a PET scan...thanks for the inspiration dear friend.

    Much Love...

    T xx

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