Hi there,

Really sorry about your Mum. 36 is crazy young. I think your questions are excellent. And, if your Mum agrees, her medical team will talk to you direct and answer any questions you have. 

Now I'm not a medic, just a patient, but I can see that there is a lot of hope. It's not terminal. That's great! That does not automatically mean the same as curable, because sometimes doctors use phrases like 'not curable, but treatable.' which means that, although they cannot cure the cancer, they can keep it at bay for a long time. But there is a great chance that they do indeed mean curable. Your Mum's medical team can answer this, although they may qualify their answer, at this stage, because so much depends on scan/test/biopsy results. But you can still ask any questions you want, at any time.

You mention a PIP scan. I have never heard of this. Do you mean PET scan? If so, then yes, they are checking for any spread. This complements the CT scan. And yes, there is a chance that it might show something. Otherwise the doctors would not have orderd the scan. But it's a small chance, if the doctors do not think it is terminal. But waiting for scan results is absolute hell. The word 'scanxiety' was invented for a reason. But you will get through this part.

You mention the biopsy. As you say, that will give more precise information about the cancer. Waiting for these results is absolute hell as well. So just hang in there.

Your Mum has a great chance of being cured! So hold that thought while you have this horrible wait for test results. Best wishes, Harry