Had My PET Scan Today - Question
Hi there!
I had my PET Scan today. I’ve had a lot of lower back pain and some rib pain after my son (20 months) kicked me three weeks ago. I’m newly diagnosed with IDC with Lymphnode involvment. I had my chemo port placed on Friday. I find my body is constantly in pain. I know the PET Scan will give me more info.
I’m pretty nervous for the results to say the least. I should get them sometime tomorrow. However, I was told by the technician the scan would take 15-25 min once it began. I wasn’t even in machine a full 10 min before he said he got everything he needed and we were all done. He was kind but wouldnt answer any questions. Is this common? Should I be panicking? My head is in overdrive tonight.
Thanks.
Comments
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No worries on tech not giving any info to you and it only taking 10 minutes. Techs can’t disclose anything-you have to wait for the radiology report. 10 minutes is not uncommon if they got good pics first go round. Sometimes people move, get claustrophobic, aren’t positioned right, machine has issues, etc and it can take a little longer. Sounds like yours went like clockwork!
I wish I could answer your pain questions definitively. One thing to consider is that are brains are very powerful and can sometimes mislead us by interpreting things that ordinarily would be no big deal into a more painful event especially when we’ve been diagnosed with a serious condition. It’s like it goes into hyperdrive and everything is amplified and subsequently terrifying. Hoping that’s all it turns out to be.
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Thanks Lula. I’ll try to keep positive. I have a history of severe migraines and I’ve had many MRIs and CT Scans. Probably why I have Breast Cancer at 31. So, I was fully prepared for the scan itself. I guess it’s nice to know it goes quickly for some.
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I’ll second that about the techs not commenting. They aren’t supposed to and frankly they aren’t the docs. I had one tell me everything was fine only to be informed a few minutes later by a Radiologist that I had BC. Talk about false hope and shock so you are better off waiting for the expert.
Keep the faith and keep us posted.
Diane
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Praying that you get good news from the PET scan, RA.
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(((((raisan_angels)))))
Thinking of you!!
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Thinking of you, RA.
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No, don't be worried because the tech wouldn't tell you anything. It's pretty uniform that technicians and people who have jobs like checking in patients at a front desk are not allowed to pass on results, good or bad. There are reasons for this:
1) Techs are not trained to "read" scans. They may learn to notice things, but they haven't been trained to do what Radiologists do. Can you imagine how horrible it would be to be told that your scan showed a problem, when really it didn't? Or vice-versa?
2) Techs are not trained to be able to answer any questions that will come after telling someone the results of their scan.
3) By telling you results, they would be practicing outside their "scope" and could be legally at risk
There might be some other reasons, but mostly the rule is there to protect patients. Techs are very used to refusing to answer questions no matter what anything looks like.
I wish you the best with this. I've been there. It's worse than nerve-wracking.
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Techs are not supposed to comment at all. Let us know when you get results. Hope all is clear
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Update: My news only gets worse and worse. My PET Scan came back and the cancer has spread all over my bones. It's in so many it would take less time to say where isn't than where it is. They believe it's grown and expanded like this is the last 6 months. I don't know how to handle it right now. I'm struggling to process.
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I'm so sorry, RA. Sending a virtual hug and wishing there were more anyone could do.
Hopefully within a few days you will have a treatment plan under consideration and be able to slow things down. In the meantime I know you're probably reeling. -
Raisin angels Hold tight to all those close to you. The fact that you said you were raising angels says a lot about what your beliefs are. Who, what, when, where, why any of this happens is unknown to any of us. The next few weeks will be scary as a treatment plan is put in place and started. Work the plan. That means being proactive. Ask for a second opinion from a NCCN hospital in regard to treatment plan. Activate your church group to help with the kids as you will have multiple appointments. Bless you and praying ...:)
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You may run in to people that while try to guilt you about having cancer. Sorry, but it happens a lot. Shut them down real fast. Either by words or the stare. Just know they're idiots out there.
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I am so sorry you are dealing with mets. I hope you get a treatment in place quickly. Even if you seek other opinions, hopefully they can get something started. The path can be altered as needed. I would encourage you to go to the stage IV forums where ladies dealing with bone mets can give you useful, specific advice. Sending you gentle hugs. Cancer sucks.
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