Call from the Oncologist
This cancer journey is never ending! At least, that’s how it feels. And this week I (finally) got a call from the oncologist regarding my CT scan. The CT scan was done to check for shadows on my lungs and liver, the two places that cancer would show up if it came back. I think. I’m pretty sure that’s what it was all about. As much as I love my oncologist, I had to call their office and leave a message asking what my results were, which is kinda cheating. Here’s what I’d already seen in my chart online (it’s a lot of words, so feel free to skip it and find out what they said in plain English):
PROCEDURE: CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST CLINICAL INFORMATION: Adenocarcinoma of the rectum. TECHNIQUE: CT images of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis are obtained following oral contrast and intravenous administration of 100 cc Isovue 370. The exam was performed utilizing automated exposure control for dose reduction.
COMPARISON: CT abdomen and pelvis 1/28/2016.
FINDINGS: Heart and great vessels are unremarkable. No mediastinal, hilar, or axillary adenopathy. Mild hazy soft tissue density in the anterior mediastinal fat is likely related to residual thymic tissue. Stable minimal added density in the lateral left lung base either reflecting atelectasis or scarring. No suspicious pulmonary nodules or masses. No airspace consolidation or pleural effusions. Minor degenerative changes in the spine. No suspicious bony abnormalities.
IMPRESSION: No evidence of metastasis in the chest.
PROCEDURE: CT ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITH CONTRAST FINDINGS: Mildly decreased attenuation of the liver compatible with fatty infiltration. There are patchy, non-mass-like areas of enhancement in the right lobe of the liver which are most typical of transient hepatic attenuation differences. No focal liver lesions are seen. Spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, and kidneys are unremarkable. No mesenteric or retroperitoneal adenopathy. Normal caliber abdominal aorta. Interval anorectal resection with a left lower quadrant ostomy. Bowel loops are non-obstructed. Previously shown perirectal and presacral lymph nodes are no longer appreciated. No pelvic adenopathy by CT size criteria. No pelvic fluid collections. There are no suspicious lytic or blastic bone lesions.
IMPRESSION: 1. Interval anorectal resection. No findings to suggest metastasis in the abdomen or pelvis. 2. Non-mass-like areas of enhancement in the right lobe of the liver most compatible with transient hepatic attenuation differences..
What the What?
So now that you know how my innards look. I understood most of what the record said, but was hazy on parts. When the oncology nurse called, she said the hazy parts are because my rectum is gone. To get my head out of my … wait. No. That’s not what she said. But here’s what she did say –
ALL CLEAR!
You read that right! The oncologist has given me the all clear! YAY! My lovely boss, from Jones Natural Chews, was in town for a couple of days, so we went out to celebrate! She had a Bandit’s Bone and I had some Lamb Lung Puffs. Wait. No. That can’t be right. We both had burgers and dessert! To complement my mildly fatty liver and all. Y’all, I’m breathing a sigh of relief, grateful to be CANCER FREE. Now if I could only be neuropathy free …
Giveaway
I can’t tell you how very happy I am to be cancer free! And how much I love to give treats for free! Right now Jones Natural Chews is hosting a giveaway of one of the yummiest dog treats around, the Other Ear. Your dog wants one. And your dog is grateful that it can’t read and wasn’t bombarded by that medical record. Sheesh. So click this sentence, then scroll down in the new window and click on the contest entry box, or whatever it calls itself these days. You’ll see that you need to leave a comment, which unlocks more ways to earn points. Like visiting our Facebook page and tweeting about the contest.
Scoot! Get to entering! Your dog will thank you. Naturally.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
