Here we go again …
The outcome of the clinical session with oncology, surgery & nuclear medicine yesterday seems to be that nobody knows what’s going on. Yet. According to the CT scan I had last week, there are two spots in the area of the peritonaeum that was biopsied in September that might be tumours, even though the three samples taken and tested twice have come back negative for malignancy. Also, the liver tumours that showed up on the PET scan I had in June have seemingly disappeared. And so, another PET scan has been scheduled for next Tuesday.
According to Ricardo, the surgeon will still want to operate again even if the liver tumours are gone (though he thinks it’s more likely that they’ve shrunk) to make sure that there is nothing left in those areas, as well as remove the peritoneal ‘tumours’. But any possible surgery will depend on the outcome of the PET scan and the state of the peritoneal area.
But hey, at least there is some hope now. Though It means more testing and more waiting. And even though I’m not thrilled about having more surgery, it sure beats the alternative.
Meanwhile … I’m off to Córdoba! Hasta mañana! 
casa azahar 
Hi az,
What struck me when you mentioned the other day that the liver tumours had gone was: how could they get such a devastating prognosis so wrong? Or do they actually just go away?
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Well, you HAVE been having chemo, and some of those cancers are very, very vulnerable to chemo. There is no form of cancer from which there hasn’t been a sudden, inexplicable recovery. It’s like walking through fog so thick you’re not sure it’s actually air at all…
Best of luck. At least PET scans aren’t so bothersome from what I remember.
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Hope is a good thing.
That is just amazing that the tumors have disappeared or shrunk.
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Just because the tumors that were there seem to have done a disappearing act does not mean the original diagnosis was wrong.
The shrinkage and disappearance of tumors seems to be linked to a strong immune system with plenty of natural killer white blood cells, that can attack such places and basically cause them to digest themselves. Also, apparently a strong decision to not be sick any more seems to have an unexplicable effect on cancer as well.
The capacity of the human body to heal should not be underestimated.
Have a wonderful time in Cordoba!
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What they said^^^^^
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Cordoba … isn’t that a car that the guy from Fantasy Island used to do commercials about?
Congratulations on the shrinkage – for once, it’s a good thing!!!
I gotta say … my niece has a very very strong desire not to be sick anymore… so does her parents, her friends and the rest of her family. So far, nothing has shrunk with her in the past 11 years of living a great life. And that’s what we’re trying to focus on -the wonderful part of her life.
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life is good gurl, enjoy it! have fun on ur adventure!! can’t wait to see the pics.
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Got a call from the hospital this morning. My PET has been scheduled for 8 o’clock Tuesday morning. Damn that’s early!
They aren’t as bothersome as CT scans in that I don’t have to drink a bottle of barfium beforehand, Rain. I get injected with radioactive isotope instead. The actual scan takes longer than a CT one and, last time, they made me do it twice. Once on an empty stomach and again two hours later after I’d had something to eat. So it was quite a long morning.
At least by this time this week I should be much clearer on what’s going on.
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Hi Az,
Just dropped by to see how you’re doing. It’s great to see something positive on the medical front – fingers crossed that this is as hopeful as it sounds and the good news continues!
Gif
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okay, will keep every extremity crossed for the outcome of the PET scan(s) on Tuesday… so if I’m walking a bit funny, you’ll know why!
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Well, I’m off for my PET scan now at this gawd awful hour. The sun isn’t even up yet. I hope this means that I’m the first appointment and won’t have to wait so long. I also hope it will bring some good news.
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Like Truce, I’ve got all my bits crossed for you.
:hugs:
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PET scan… isn’t that what you get every morning when leaving the bed if you´re not heading direct to the kitchen and the cupboard where the cat food is.
…or is that a CAT scan?
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