Eastendgirl thank you  xxx

You're welcome xx

Thinking of you and sending love x 

James4000 hi James how are you doing hope your ok  I had my CT scan today wasn’t as bad as I thought  scan didn’t take long. My arms are a right bruised mess with them trying to find a vain to put cannula in they tried 4 different sites to put it in got it in at last  so what comes next I’m not sure I guess just wait again  let us know how things are going for you  lots of love xx

Monring Tango 

Glad you got a scan and it went well.

I'm due to have my 3rd scan- PET - today after it was rearranged from a week ago.

Sorry, been quiet on here these past few days. Been feeling pretty good. A bit of a pause between scans and some time passing making me feel a bit more positive.

Am nervous about the PET scan. Will be there for hours and they inject you with low radiation. But I hear it's nothing to worry about. I imagine the MDT will then re-review my case next Friday  inc the PET scan. It's to look at some lymphs near the tumour so they can determine if they should do some oncology or go straight to surgery. I'm stressed about those next steps but trying not to to look too far ahead. And I am reassured that whichever pathway the medics want to take, it should lead to treatment, cure and hopefully in time total recovery.

James4000 I’m pretty sure the pet scan will be ok it’s all ways the thought of going and waiting  at least after that they will have a plan that’s right for you hope all goes well for you will be thinking about you. X

Thank you. All done. Went well and wasn't really stressful in the end. A lot quicker than I'd expected too.

Waiting game for 7-10 days now..PET scan results should be back for the MDT next Friday.

Hi James4000...

James4000 glad it wasn’t too stressful  at least now your on the right path to getting things done  what is a PET scan is it simllar to all the other scans with contrast. Keep in touch with us and  I’m thinking of you  x

Hi tangoPotter.. thought I would answer your question in case James isn't available ...

PET scan uses radioactive waves..used in many different ways to detect various conditions.. from cancers to neurological issues.. 

Thinking of you and James4000

Eastendgirl thank you for the reply  I don’t know much about scans all new to me.  Hope you are doing ok my friend  sending love  x

Hi tangoPotter.. scans, whether CT/MRI are able to look inside our body, giving more information than xrays. The use of contrast [dye] enhances/highlights the organ or structure needed for diagnosis, treatment and care.. an incredible development in medical research.  The C.T is often referred to as the 'Polo' due to the shape and structure.  Very often used when a specific part of the body needs to be viewed..Where an MRI is a tube that the whole body is able to be scanned.. neither of them cause pain or discomfort.. the MRI makes a lot of noise and very often the patient is offered ear defenders to wear along with a choice of music.. I have found it better to close my eyes for MRI and concentrate on my special place... the anticipation is worse than the procedure. 

Sending love and be kind to yourself xx

Hi tangoPotter.. scans, whether CT/MRI are able to look inside our body, giving more information than xrays. The use of contrast [dye] enhances/highlights the organ or structure needed for diagnosis, treatment and care.. an incredible development in medical research.  The C.T is often referred to as the 'Polo' due to the shape and structure.  Very often used when a specific part of the body needs to be viewed..Where an MRI is a tube that the whole body is able to be scanned.. neither of them cause pain or discomfort.. the MRI makes a lot of noise and very often the patient is offered ear defenders to wear along with a choice of music.. I have found it better to close my eyes for MRI and concentrate on my special place... the anticipation is worse than the procedure. 

Sending love and be kind to yourself xx

All sounds correct and some good advice too.

My experience has been CT, MRI and PET.

For me:

CT. Quick. The injected a dye, which felt a bit cold and metallic

MRI. The worst for me simply because it went on for 45-60mins.

PET. Daunting when they tell you they're injecting you with radiation. But there are no side effects (they said said) and I felt fine. The radio half life is so short is has gone within 4-6 hrs.

I was told the PET gives a more detailed, coloured image, as the radioactive injection attaches to various muscles etc, showing up a clear internal image. The MRI image is more like an ultrasound image for pregnancy.

None of the scans hurt or had any side effects. It was just emotionally draining. I'm exhausted this afternoon.

Eastend, I agree with your advice. For PET and MRI i mostly closed my eyes and did some prayers and meditation.

Hi James4000.. that was my reason for replying to tangoPotter.. I realised you would be emotionally exhausted this afternoon,  apologies for butting in, my concern was to reply in case you weren't able to  xx

Thank you.

Don"t worry. Not butting in at all. I find it super helpful to read everyone else's experiences too. It's very validating and reassuring.

I know what you mean. Sometimes I want to write and read and research about the illness. Other times I don't want it on my mind at all. I seem to have achieved some kind of balance on that which works for me.

How are you doing?

That balance is vital in my view, it's all too easy to research information,  which can be helpful but other times, negative, distressing and very often not relevant for us..

I find recognised support groups the best option. Offering medical research and info along with personal experience from others.

Your body and mind need rest which I hope you are able to achieve,  if only for a while x

Eastendgirl how are you love hope your doing ok. And hope your friend is ok too. Feeling a little low today  some times in the early morning when I wake you every think floods your mind of what you have and what’s next  some days it doesn’t bother me too much than other days it can be on my mind and feeling trapped with it   Sorry for the rant but your brill to talk too xxx

My dear tangoPotter please don't ever apologise,  I'm here and thankful you feel able to chat to me

I think your emotions are very usual and experienced by many people in situations where our lives are altered and affected. I completely understand how you are feeling. 

Our brain is so complex and has such powerful control over our bodies and emotions..

Strange how some days we cope better than others, which again shows the power of our brain..

To be able to share, be listened to, is vital for us all,  please don't ever apologise for contacting me, I feel very blessed,  take care and remember,  I'm here xx

Eastendgirl thank you for your reply. I’ve just had a phone call from the hospital to make appointment to see the consultant about my scan and things for next Tuesday to discuss things I’m really scared and nervous about all this  x

I can only imagine how nervous you are feeling, I always try to find the positive in these situations..

First of all,  seeing the consultant,  hearing his opinion and plan for you and your treatment is a move in the right direction.. the waiting and worrying is so overwhelming and exhausting..

Do you have anyone to go with you to the appointment,  really hope so  

Sending love and hugs  xx

Eastendgi I’ve just had another phone call from a nurse asking me if I want to go on the trials  she said I can go have a chat with them after speaking to my consultant next Tuesday   She said the good news is my cancer is just in my bowel it’s not spread any where else she said you will need a operation  I knew that any way  she said they used to just take you in and whip it out  but I don’t know what she is on about these trials. Like for chemo  x

Eastendgirl forgot to mention they also said the biopsies was incomplete  so I asked how can that happen.and nurse said maybe they didn’t cut higher enough up