A whole CAT now ... and not a bad looking one at that

Okay, I finally got the results of all three parts of the CAT scan. Here is a summary of the chest results:

1. There remain enlarged axillary lymph nodes, however, they have decreased considerably in size and number in the interval and some of them continue to be enlarged measuring over 2 cm. However, many of them are less than half the size of prior exam. The extensive mediastinal left hilar adenopathy seen on prior exam has now totally resolved with a few small residual lymph nodes seen measuring under 1 cm.

2. The cavity lesion seen in the medial segment of the right lower lobe on prior study is re-identified, however, is now considerably improved, much thinner than on prior study.

And here is the summary of results for the abdomen and pelvis:

1. Mesenteric and retroperitoneal adenopathy have greatly improved in the interval since the prior exam. There is a new lesion projected adjacent to the left hepatic lobe/pancreatic tail and just above the left adrenal gland not seen previously. It may represent a new region of adenopathy, however, liver mass cannot be excluded as it does appear to be contiguous to the left hepatic lobe.

2. There are two lucent masses seen in the left side of the pelvis. One is likely ovarian that was probably seen previously more superiorly and laterally as it was previously displaced by adenopathy. More inferior to that is a lucent mass with a high-density rim and that may be ovarian as well. However, it may represent necrotic adenopathy. There is continued evidence for enlargement of left external iliac nodes and right iliac nodes. The latter right iliac nodes may actually involve the ovary. This is not certain as the ovary cannot be seen separately from that. Despite the regions of residual mass/adenopathy, the remainder of the pelvic adenopathy seen on prior exam has largely resolved or greatly improved. Bilateral inguinal adenopathy seen on prior exam has largely improved. There is some residual.

All in all, it reads to me like there has been a lot of improvement. I'm hoping for a break from chemo for awhile, although Dr Lestingi said that when we decide about a break, he might want to continue the Rituxan for awhile. That's okay with me, as long as it means no more prednisone for awhile. We'll see what he says when I see him on Monday.

In the meantime, I still have a lot of unanswered questions. The reports don't even mention the extranodal tumors on my lower back and shoulder blade that feel huge to me. I also want to see the actual images and have Dr L explain the areas where the nodes might be a problem, and especially that liver area.

I'm going to be bringing the films or the images on a CD (if I can get that) to Peoria with me when I go in a couple of weeks. It's so nice to have a father and a brother who are radiologists. I need a (free) consult!!! :-)

A Third of a CAT

How frustrating is this? I got a CAT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and the radiologists only sent the report of the chest! That's not even the important part--or at least I didn't think so. The news on the chest is that all of the axillary nodes have shrunk to less than half their previous sizes. The largest is now 2 cm.

However, they also talked about a cavity lesion in my lung--right lower lobe--that I never heard of before. But in this report they say that it is considerably reduced. Well, that's good news, but how come they didn't put it in the previous report? It was obviously in the previous study. And they didn't even comment on the growth on my shoulder blade. Hmmmm... I think I need my brother the radiologist to reread these.

We're going after the rest of the report tomorrow. (The center has already closed for today.) I'm calling them first thing and telling them to email the whole report over there to Dr Lestingi ASAP. I need to know about the rest of it. And we have to decide what we're doing about further treatment.

But I guess I can't complain about the news so far. Shrinking nodes are good. A smaller lesion is better than a larger one, even if I didn't know it was there. Tune in again tomorrow for further developments.

Great Counts Today

My counts were wonderful today. Must have been all that good food I've been stuffing my face with during the past week.
WBC 6.8
HgB 14.1
platelets 151

I also had my CAT scan very early this morning. I feel icky from all the dye, but this too shall pass. I won't get the results until tomorrow or Wed.

In the meantime, I'm watching the snow fall. We're supposed to get 6 inches here by the lake. The trees look beautiful.