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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / December 2005Good news for me
I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a false positive on the PET scan; to all appearances, at this moment I'm cancer-free. That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..."  SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. Congratulations clifto! A nice Christmas present from the docs. > I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a > false positive on the PET scan; to all appearances, at this moment I'm > cancer-free. PET doesn't seem all it's cracked up to be. I wanted to tell you that I discovered, while searching something else (but I lost your post and was too busy to go looking for it), that a woman worried for 2.5 years about an area in her submandibular area, after PET. She had it excised last Spring/summer and it came back negative. You and I realized that was an odd area,anyway so it's good to get it confirmed. Hpapy days ! Thanks for updating. > That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet > home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..." We're pulling for you clifto. The further out clear, the better. Have a wonderful Christmas/holiday season. J > I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet > home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..." Excellent news Clifto. Warm Hugs Alayne clifto@clifto.com said... > I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet > home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..." Yay! Congratulations and have a great Christmas in whichever way you celebrate it, or not :-) SignatureEmily, eschewing Christmas on religious grounds. Great news Clifto! Have a great Christmas! > I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a > false positive on the PET scan; to all appearances, at this moment I'm > cancer-free. What wonderful news, clifto! Glad you made it through dreaded MRI. Very happy to hear your news!! Fig >>I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back >>in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Fig I'm not sure what all the fuss is about MRI exams. I have had several of them for orthopedic reasons. Actually the hammering puts me to sleep. The exams were able to discover torn ligaments that other exams could not. Signature****************************************** * This is the Spammish Inquisition * * Not Lumber Cartel Unit 75 [TINLC] * * http://bobcathoh.50megs.com/tinLC/ * * david l kayp at earthlink dot net * ****************************************** > I'm not sure what all the fuss is about MRI exams. I have had several of > them for orthopedic reasons. Actually the hammering puts me to sleep. > The exams were able to discover torn ligaments that other exams could not. Some people cannot stand being in the enclosed cigar-tube, especially for the 30-50 minutes it may require. Or they are large enough that they can actually feel the sides pressing in around them. I didn't have a problem with any of mine, but I have learned how to zone out during these things. I've had several enclosed MRIs (shoulder & neck -- for the neck only my head was in, but held by some sort of mask thing) & several whole-body scans for thyroid cancer mets -- that's not an enclosed machine but the big plate is damned close to your nose for a while -- and it can be a bit disconcerting when it's lowering into position -- *will it stop!* (or is it going to mash my face?) bj >>>I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back >>>in November. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > of them for orthopedic reasons. Actually the hammering puts me to sleep. > The exams were able to discover torn ligaments that other exams could not. Point number one: I'm claustrophobic. The one time I peeked during the exam, the top of the opening was about 2 inches from the tip of my nose. I got through that via a combination of keeping eyes shut and taking lots and lots of xanax. I was fortunate that night in that point number two (below) didn't plotz in on me. Point number two, which reared its ugly head last night: I have some kind of flaw in my lower back resulting from 1993 surgery; we suspect it's adhesions (and last night's second MRI was expressly to help figure it out). Staying in one position, especially with my legs straight or close to it, brings on what starts as a dull ache and progresses to a flaming burning pain, like two siberian twin muscles in spasm pulling in different directions really hard. Last night it was as though the xanax and vicodin didn't kick in at all, the pain started about 1/3 into the procedure and all I could do is lay there and get it over with. Oh, and did I mention they wrapped my midsection in some large plastic thing that was much too tight to allow me to take a decent-sized breath? The machine is a Hitachi Airis II for anyone who's interested. The ladies doing the procedure were extra nice and it helped. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. >I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet > home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..." YEEE HAAAAWWWW!!! Great news Clifto. Concatulations Pam S. Addendum to my post: I know MRIs are stressful. Ken has had many-but they are a valuable diagnostic tool. > I know MRIs are stressful. Ken has had many-but they are a valuable > diagnostic tool. For me it's not just a matter of the stress of being pushed inside a small hole. Since 1993 I've had problems with my lower back which make it uncomfortable or downright painful to be in any one position for any length of time. This was an MRI with contrast, which means they scanned me for about 35 minutes, slid me out (without letting me move) and injected some contrast medium, then slid me back in for another 35 minutes of scanning. Because I managed to make it through that with an adequate amount of drugs, I went back a few days later and had my lower back scanned, yet another test I've been putting off for months. From the report that came back on that, one would think I was an old man or something. :) SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > Addendum to my post: > > I know MRIs are stressful. Ken has had many-but they are a valuable > diagnostic tool. How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which eases the suffering of people with cancer undergoing radio-therapy, it means patients will no longer need to endure having a plaster mould made of their head and neck to ensure they are kept still during radiotherapy". Shame it came too late for my Tony, but at least it will ease things for people in my area in the future. Hugs Alayne - still looking for inspiration for the mould. totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > Alayne - still looking for inspiration for the mould. Here's an idea: Put it in an open container of some sort, and fill it with potting compost. Plant some seeds of whatever seems appropriate. Wait, and watch it become useful and earn its keep as a living memorial to Tony. There's probably a plant with 'tiger' in its name that'll grow in such a planter... SignatureEm, musing. > totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > > Alayne - still looking for inspiration for the mould. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > to Tony. There's probably a plant with 'tiger' in its name that'll grow > in such a planter... Nice idea Em and it could look rather dramatic by his memorial in the garden, but, and ain't there always, what I think that I really want to do is throw it away, it signifies to me bad times, and yet something is stopping me from that simple act, it just reeks of being disrespectful. We had such gun-ho hopes, it's almost like I am irrationally seeking his permission (crazy I know), but some sign that it will be okay to do so. I've got tons of other momentos (came across a few more while sorting through my bedroom, glad I was like a squirrel and kept all those christmas/valentines cards etc. - but did make me blub wholesomely ;-) I'm going to have to make some decision next year cos I am having an extension (girls will finally get a room of their own) and the shed where it is now kept will have to be knocked down. Hmmm. Warm Hugs Alayne totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > > > Alayne - still looking for inspiration for the mould. > > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > is throw it away, it signifies to me bad times, and yet something is > stopping me from that simple act, it just reeks of being disrespectful. You've got a memorial in the garden? Can the mask be buried there? It's not Tony's face, you know, and probably doesn't look much like him if you really think about it. The ones I've seen on websites look like nothing on earth, to be honest... It's not disrespectful at all. Your memories and things you've kept are far more important than the reminder of a treatment option that in the end didn't work. Go on, get rid of it. You've got much more meaningful reminders of him right beside you every day. They're called daughters. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} SignatureEm, wishing she could help more > totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > > > > Alayne - still looking for inspiration for the mould. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > {{{{{Hugs}}}}} It's a self-generating memorial really. It started when a groupie from a band who's a stone mason made me a marble plaque so I placed it by the fountain (that was bought when he was alive after we discovered the feelings of peace that it creates after sitting by one in the hospice) and then I bought a couple of roses that I potted (one from each of the girls) and mixed ashes in the pot; and then each anniversary/birthday I buy another plant from the girls to pot up too; and then I added a couple of solar powered lights,oh an not forgetting the frog riding a red motorbike ornament that I just had to buy ;-) Do you know what Em, you are so right, on New Years Day I shall be resigning the damn thing to the bin (if it's been emptied by then) and be done with it, I'm fed up with dithering, I'm just surprised at the feelings that it evokes. Thank you oh wise woman ;-) Alayne totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > > > what I think that I really want to do > > > is throw it away, it signifies to me bad times, and yet something is [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > powered lights,oh an not forgetting the frog riding a red motorbike ornament > that I just had to buy ;-) This is just crying out for a photo you know. Please tell me it's not that dratted 'crazy frog' but an ordinary frog? The red motorbike I could live with; the other... ugh. > Do you know what Em, you are so right, on New Years Day I shall be resigning > the damn thing to the bin (if it's been emptied by then) and be done with > it, I'm fed up with dithering, I'm just surprised at the feelings that it > evokes. > > Thank you oh wise woman ;-) Good for you Alayne. There's little point hanging on to something that only reminds you of bad times and what might have been. The memorial sounds far more 'Tony' than that awful lump of plasticcy stuff. Treat it as a form of medicine and get the local pharmacy to dispose of it if you can't do it yourself. After all, you haven't kept all the old medicine bottles, have you. Well, not unless you've a genuine use for them, and even if you've got the bottles I'll bet you've thrown out the contents ages ago. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} SignatureEm > totallyfake@emailaddress.com said... > > > > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > that dratted 'crazy frog' but an ordinary frog? The red motorbike I > could live with; the other... ugh. Hmmm photo opportunity, have got a digital camera, just never got round to working out how it connects to the computer ;-) And no, it's not the crazy frog, rather a dapper chappie with a cheesy grin sitting on a red sports bike (looks like Tony's old TL); saw it at a market a while ago and thought it would look just right, and it does ;-) > > Do you know what Em, you are so right, on New Years Day I shall be resigning > > the damn thing to the bin (if it's been emptied by then) and be done with [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > {{{{{Hugs}}}}} No I haven't got all the old medicines, they were the first things that went, and by the bag full by that time, I was most relieved to give the chemist the morphine I can tell you ;-) The mask will go in the bin ceremoniously along with several bag fulls of the kids stuff that I have just spent the last few hours clearing out of their room ;-) I really don't know why it bothers me so much, completely irrational, but then I'm still a blonde ;-) Hugs Em Alayne > Do you know what Em, you are so right, on New Years Day I shall be resigning > the damn thing to the bin (if it's been emptied by then) and be done with > it, I'm fed up with dithering, I'm just surprised at the feelings that it > evokes. It's not surprising at all, considering how deeply rooted the feelings are, and that's because of the reason it exists in the first place. That said, I certainly wouldn't want to be remembered by my RT mask. I agree with Em, that memorial sounds much cooler. :) SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. > > Do you know what Em, you are so right, on New Years Day I shall be resigning > > the damn thing to the bin (if it's been emptied by then) and be done with [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > That said, I certainly wouldn't want to be remembered by my RT mask. > I agree with Em, that memorial sounds much cooler. :) Thanks Clifto, I think I was letting the irrational side take over for a while and there's only room in my head for so many voices ;-) Warm Hugs Alayne > How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes > Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which eases > the suffering of people with cancer undergoing radio-therapy, it means > patients will no longer need to endure having a plaster mould made of > their head and neck to ensure they are kept still during radiotherapy". clifto - And we thought an HDPE mask was bad! >> How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes >> Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which eases [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > clifto - And we thought an HDPE mask was bad! Yeah. That and the process they use to make makeup masks for movies, where they stick a short straw up each nostril and proceed to smother the person's face with goop for several minutes until it dries. There isn't enough xanax in the world to get me through something like that. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. >>> How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes >>> Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which eases [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the person's face with goop for several minutes until it dries. There > isn't enough xanax in the world to get me through something like that. We stopped using plaster to make H&N moulds about 5 years ago............ >>>> How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes >>>> Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > We stopped using plaster to make H&N moulds about 5 years ago............ And not a moment too soon! >>>>> How things progress, just read in the local paper that "Addenbrookes >>>>> Hospital are introducing a Fast-Scan, a hand-held 3D scanner which [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > And not a moment too soon! It's not such a big deal for everyone. As part of my residency training, I had to have one made. > I finally managed to subject myself to that MRI the doctors wanted back > in November. That suspicious area under my chin turned out to be a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > That doesn't end the story, of course, as statistically I'm not yet > home free. But it's a helluva nice way to say "to be continued..." Hi clifto, I just saw this today and thought you might want to save it. "Starting with the superficial system, the submental nodes receive drainage from the skin of the chin, the mid portion of the lower lip, the tip of the tongue, the anterior oral cavity and the nasal vestibule. The submandibular nodes receive drainage from the submental area, the lower nasal cavity, the upper lip, the lower lateral lip, the anterior oral cavity and the skin of the mid face. The submandibular nodes drain into the superior deep jugular chain. The remaining superficial nodes include facial, preauricular, postauricular, superficial cervical along the external jugular chain and the occipital nodes draining the scalp." J > Hi clifto, > I just saw this today and thought you might want to save it. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > postauricular, superficial cervical along the external jugular chain and the > occipital nodes draining the scalp." That's why it was so strange, even to my uneducated mind, that the stuff would spread from under the temporalmandibular joint to under my chin. The lymphatic system doesn't have a pump, like the vascular system does; lymph moves around by motion compressing the nodes and channels, by the channels filling up and pushing, or by gravity. So being told that the lower nodes cleared out and the upper ones somehow got backflow didn't make any sense to anyone. Which is not to say it couldn't have been another cancer... SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. Attaboy Clifto! Great news. And a Merry Christmas and a better 2006 than 2005. > Attaboy Clifto! Great news. > > And a Merry Christmas and a better 2006 than 2005. For you, me, and all of us here. SignatureIf John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin. |
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