It's hard to sit back and do nothing while we wait for the next step, approval from the Insurance to have the CAT and PET scans scheduled. People are asking us some of the same questions we have been asking ourselves. While we have time to wait, I've been doing a little research on cancers and such. I have linked a new website which may help others understand what "type" of cancer Tom has. This may answer some questions that Tom and I are not able to.
A questions I have been asked a lot is: What is a PET scan?
Here is what I've found:
A PET is a Positron Emission Tomography. It is a diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of physiologic images based on the detection of radiation from the emission of positrons. Positrons are tiny particles emitted from a radioactive substance administered to the patient. The procedure will work with the patient being administered a radioactive substance which will localize to the appropriate area of the body and can be detected by the PET scanner. Different colors or degrees of brightness on a PET image represent different level of tissue or organ function. Cancerous tissue will accumulate more of the substance and appear brighter than normal tissue on the PET images.
The other research I've been doing is with a word the Oncologist used that I was not able to write down during our meeting. I've since read it in another cancer site and tried to get the definition, which is this:
Metastatic Caner is a cancer that has spread from its primary site to other parts of the body. If cells break away from a cancerous tumor they can travel to other areas of the body. They settle and form a "colony" tumor. The spread of a tumor to a new part of the body is called Metastasis. About 1/3 of patients with cancer have metastases that are detected at the time of their first cancer diagnosis.
Tom and I have decided that if we do not hear from the Oncologist office by early Friday, he will call to get the status of the scan approvals. We are both anxious to get the test taken, so more importantly, we can get the answers back. It seems that each time I talk with someone they have another "Good Question" that I do not have the ability to answer. There are many more questions that have yet to be answered, but they will have to wait for now. We will just have to work on the issues that we can control and let go those things we can not. I pray that God will help us to know which ones to let go.
2 comments:
Scary thing is that I understand most of what you are explaining and can only imagine all the emotions that are running through all of you right now. It is such a hard thing to "hurry up and wait." We want answers and we want them now. Your doctor is an excellent doctor and is known to be one of the best there is. I know this from personal experience. He treated me along with other members of my family that had cancer. You are all in our thoughts daily and we will continue to lift you in prayer and hold your hands along the way. I love your scripture quote. Another one for you is this: Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverb 3:5-6
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