Since my last post I have completed my last chemotherapy. So that is all done and over with! After that I had a couple weeks to relax and just focus on school. Then on the 16th I went in for a PET/CT scan. Today on the 18th I went in to the doctor for labs and to visit about that scan. The news that I got wasn't exactly what I wanted, but it wasn't exactly bad news either.
The PET scan showed that I am -mostly- negative. There were two spots that were brought up. First, there is apparently a enlarged lymph node in my chest, however it is not PET positive, which I took as means it isn't really a problem. Second, there was something in my neck still. Two nodes were asymmetric, one was larger than the other. This is what they want to look at closer. So tomorrow morning, April 19th, I will go in to the hospital for a CT scan of the neck. My oncologist was going to schedule an MRI of the neck, but was told to just do a CT scan instead. I will also do another pulmonary function test to see how my lungs are after going through chemotherapy.
So that's where everything is at right now.
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Post-Surgery & a PET scan
Yesterday was my surgery. Woke up bright and early so we could get there on time at 8:30. When we got there we checked in and headed over to same day surgery and checked in there too. After a bit of waiting I was called back, and Taylor was allowed back with me. Weight was taken, and questions asked and answered. Then the nurse told me that she doesn't know why they had me come in so early when my surgery wasn't until around noon. She gave me a pager and said I can walk around the hospital or hangout in the waiting room, just have to be back by around 10:30.
Taylor and I decided to walk around the hospital, we went everywhere that we thought we could to kill time. It was a long wait, but around 10:00 Taylor's mom Cindy arrived. She had insisted on coming up for it, even when Taylor said she didn't have to. My dad would have came up too, but he had to bring my mom to a doctor's appointment that she had been canceling for quite some time. She had to go to it. Anyway, after Cindy arrived we headed back to same day surgery to wait. We sat there for hours. Cindy's aunt, who works in pathology in the hospital came by to visit. That is Taylor's great-aunt. She seemed nice, and maybe she'll be working with my stuff, who knows. After she left we waited and waited some more, it was around 1pm I believe finally when I was called back. Taylor came with me, while Cindy stayed back. I got into my gown, was able to keep socks and unders on, and crawled into bed. Then Taylor and I waited back there for a little longer while different doctors came back to talk to me. Taylor snapped a couple photos of me in my cap and gown while I was laying there waiting. I thought I looked silly.
After a few more minutes someone came back and put some stuff in the IV to make me feel sleepy. I don't remember anything after that until I woke up in recovery. When I woke up there was a nurse there feeding me ice chips, and after a few minutes Taylor and Cindy were allowed in. It was so good to see them. I was given water and ice cream and a popsicle. I thought the ice cream tasted funny so I didn't finish it, plus it hurt to swallow. Eventually I was allowed to get up and go. By the time we were out of there it was passed 5pm. Cindy drove, and we left the explorer at the hospital, where it still is --we will get it later tonight with the help of my friend Eric. We went to Walmart and they got me some protein powder, some soup, and some popsicles. Then we headed back to our dorms and dropped stuff off and had dinner. After dinner they walked me back to my dorm where I sat until bed.
Over night I woke up every few hours to pee, I had a lot of water after the surgery since I wasn't allowed to drink any before. Eventually I woke up for good. I wanted to shower, but I'm not allowed to until Thursday. When I had gotten ready for the day I still had a little over an hour to wait before heading to the Altru Cancer Center for my PET scan. When I got in there I checked in and was pointed downstairs where I checked in there. Very quickly after I got there someone came out to get me. I was brought back to a small room where another IV was put in so she could put in the radioactive glucose into my veins. IV was pulled out and warm blankets were placed on me and door was shut with lights out where I would sit quietly with as little movement as possible for the next hour. It was really relaxing in there with the blankets on me. I didn't actually fall asleep, but I was right on the edge in a sort of dream like state, but aware of what was going on hearing peoples voices outside the room and whatnot. After that hour was up she came back to get me and brought me to the room with the scanner. A couple quick goes through for CT scans, and then one longer 20-30 minute PET scan. After that I was able to leave. I grabbed a cookie on my way out. Cindy drove me to and from my PET scan and took off after she dropped me off. I really appreciate her coming up here for me. My dad does too. She was a lot of help, and I hope took some stress off Taylor.
I missed a test in Microbiology because of this PET scan, but I talked to the teacher on Monday about everything and can make it up on a later date. That's the news up til now, until next time. Take care.
UPDATE: Bandage is off, here's the stitches.
Taylor and I decided to walk around the hospital, we went everywhere that we thought we could to kill time. It was a long wait, but around 10:00 Taylor's mom Cindy arrived. She had insisted on coming up for it, even when Taylor said she didn't have to. My dad would have came up too, but he had to bring my mom to a doctor's appointment that she had been canceling for quite some time. She had to go to it. Anyway, after Cindy arrived we headed back to same day surgery to wait. We sat there for hours. Cindy's aunt, who works in pathology in the hospital came by to visit. That is Taylor's great-aunt. She seemed nice, and maybe she'll be working with my stuff, who knows. After she left we waited and waited some more, it was around 1pm I believe finally when I was called back. Taylor came with me, while Cindy stayed back. I got into my gown, was able to keep socks and unders on, and crawled into bed. Then Taylor and I waited back there for a little longer while different doctors came back to talk to me. Taylor snapped a couple photos of me in my cap and gown while I was laying there waiting. I thought I looked silly.
 |
| Looking silly |
After a few more minutes someone came back and put some stuff in the IV to make me feel sleepy. I don't remember anything after that until I woke up in recovery. When I woke up there was a nurse there feeding me ice chips, and after a few minutes Taylor and Cindy were allowed in. It was so good to see them. I was given water and ice cream and a popsicle. I thought the ice cream tasted funny so I didn't finish it, plus it hurt to swallow. Eventually I was allowed to get up and go. By the time we were out of there it was passed 5pm. Cindy drove, and we left the explorer at the hospital, where it still is --we will get it later tonight with the help of my friend Eric. We went to Walmart and they got me some protein powder, some soup, and some popsicles. Then we headed back to our dorms and dropped stuff off and had dinner. After dinner they walked me back to my dorm where I sat until bed.
Over night I woke up every few hours to pee, I had a lot of water after the surgery since I wasn't allowed to drink any before. Eventually I woke up for good. I wanted to shower, but I'm not allowed to until Thursday. When I had gotten ready for the day I still had a little over an hour to wait before heading to the Altru Cancer Center for my PET scan. When I got in there I checked in and was pointed downstairs where I checked in there. Very quickly after I got there someone came out to get me. I was brought back to a small room where another IV was put in so she could put in the radioactive glucose into my veins. IV was pulled out and warm blankets were placed on me and door was shut with lights out where I would sit quietly with as little movement as possible for the next hour. It was really relaxing in there with the blankets on me. I didn't actually fall asleep, but I was right on the edge in a sort of dream like state, but aware of what was going on hearing peoples voices outside the room and whatnot. After that hour was up she came back to get me and brought me to the room with the scanner. A couple quick goes through for CT scans, and then one longer 20-30 minute PET scan. After that I was able to leave. I grabbed a cookie on my way out. Cindy drove me to and from my PET scan and took off after she dropped me off. I really appreciate her coming up here for me. My dad does too. She was a lot of help, and I hope took some stress off Taylor.
I missed a test in Microbiology because of this PET scan, but I talked to the teacher on Monday about everything and can make it up on a later date. That's the news up til now, until next time. Take care.
UPDATE: Bandage is off, here's the stitches.
 |
| My stitches |
Monday, October 17, 2011
The last couple of days..
After going to the Urgent Care at the Altru Hospital here in Grand Forks I was referred to a E.N.T. doctor. (Ear Nose & Throat).
Morning after my urgent care appointment I called up the number that I was given and to my surprise I was able to get an appointment the next morning, that was October 14th. When the day came I went into the main clinic entrance, but had no idea where I was going so I asked the lady at the desk. 4D is where I was instructed to go, fourth floor room D.
Entering 4D I walked up to the registration desk and announced that I had an appointment, got signed in and was told to sit down. Waiting for the doctor each of these times just seems like the longest thing ever. Eventually one of the nurses called my name, brought me back to the room and went through the questions before the doctor. Nothing out of really out of the ordinary. Nurse leaves and again I sit and wait. A little while later the doctor came in, Dr. Alan Johnson. After a few questions he checked out the lumps on my neck, finding each one that I had found myself. I was a little relieved that he didn't find anymore than I had, but then we started talking about what it could be. Lymphoma was his biggest concern, and was something that I looked up a few times. Hearing him say it was a lot different than just my own little research.
I was sent to get a CT scan of my neck. When I got to radiology the lady sitting behind the desk was expecting me. Originally the radiology department had said that there wasn't an availability during that day, but Dr. Johnson gave them a call and got them to do it same day. I was instructed to follow these set of tiles to a small room where I waited for them to get the room ready. Sat in that room for a bit and eventually someone came to get me. I laid down and an I.V. was inserted into my arm and I was put in to the machine. After a couple pictures the iodine was injected and the rest of the photos were taken.
After this I wait the weekend to go in and get some results. It was a long weekend, but I got to spend it with Taylor and she helped keep my mind off all that stuff.
Finally today, Monday came. Woke up bright and early and drove over there. My appointment for today was at 8am. After I got there I went up to 4D and signed in and waited. So much waiting. The nurse came out and brought me back for the quick before-doc-questions. This time my weight was asked, but I didn't have an answer because I don't own a scale. She just weighed me and entered it in. My weight was down from normal, which had not occurred to my knowledge yet. Dr. Johnson finally comes in and we go through my CT scan from Friday. Apparently there is a lump in my chest too, sort of pushing on my trachea. Which explains a little bit of shortness of breath every now and then. He also noticed that I have a deviated septum, but I knew of that sort of already. (I knew my nose was crooked inside). I had another CT scan originally for 3PM today, but that was canceled and a PET scan was ordered. A needle biopsy was done, and I was also scheduled for surgery for a lymph node biopsy.
The surgery is tomorrow, I will go in at 8:30AM and be there for 4-5 hours is what I was told. (Surgery time ~ 1 hour). I've never had a surgery before, or been knocked out by anesthesia, so I am worried about it. I am also worried, but anxious to find out what exactly the problem is...
Time to get some rest, big day tomorrow.
Morning after my urgent care appointment I called up the number that I was given and to my surprise I was able to get an appointment the next morning, that was October 14th. When the day came I went into the main clinic entrance, but had no idea where I was going so I asked the lady at the desk. 4D is where I was instructed to go, fourth floor room D.
Entering 4D I walked up to the registration desk and announced that I had an appointment, got signed in and was told to sit down. Waiting for the doctor each of these times just seems like the longest thing ever. Eventually one of the nurses called my name, brought me back to the room and went through the questions before the doctor. Nothing out of really out of the ordinary. Nurse leaves and again I sit and wait. A little while later the doctor came in, Dr. Alan Johnson. After a few questions he checked out the lumps on my neck, finding each one that I had found myself. I was a little relieved that he didn't find anymore than I had, but then we started talking about what it could be. Lymphoma was his biggest concern, and was something that I looked up a few times. Hearing him say it was a lot different than just my own little research.
I was sent to get a CT scan of my neck. When I got to radiology the lady sitting behind the desk was expecting me. Originally the radiology department had said that there wasn't an availability during that day, but Dr. Johnson gave them a call and got them to do it same day. I was instructed to follow these set of tiles to a small room where I waited for them to get the room ready. Sat in that room for a bit and eventually someone came to get me. I laid down and an I.V. was inserted into my arm and I was put in to the machine. After a couple pictures the iodine was injected and the rest of the photos were taken.
After this I wait the weekend to go in and get some results. It was a long weekend, but I got to spend it with Taylor and she helped keep my mind off all that stuff.
Finally today, Monday came. Woke up bright and early and drove over there. My appointment for today was at 8am. After I got there I went up to 4D and signed in and waited. So much waiting. The nurse came out and brought me back for the quick before-doc-questions. This time my weight was asked, but I didn't have an answer because I don't own a scale. She just weighed me and entered it in. My weight was down from normal, which had not occurred to my knowledge yet. Dr. Johnson finally comes in and we go through my CT scan from Friday. Apparently there is a lump in my chest too, sort of pushing on my trachea. Which explains a little bit of shortness of breath every now and then. He also noticed that I have a deviated septum, but I knew of that sort of already. (I knew my nose was crooked inside). I had another CT scan originally for 3PM today, but that was canceled and a PET scan was ordered. A needle biopsy was done, and I was also scheduled for surgery for a lymph node biopsy.
The surgery is tomorrow, I will go in at 8:30AM and be there for 4-5 hours is what I was told. (Surgery time ~ 1 hour). I've never had a surgery before, or been knocked out by anesthesia, so I am worried about it. I am also worried, but anxious to find out what exactly the problem is...
Time to get some rest, big day tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Waiting... (mobile!)
Someone came and drew blood from me and I have been alone since. I was told that I would see a surgeon to get a piece of my lymph node to see what the problem is. Maybe soon this will all be figured out?
Taylor, my girlfriend, is out in the waiting room and has been since we got here. I feel really bad because she is sitting out there all alone. At least she brought some homework with her though for something to so.
It was so nice of her to come with me, and yesterday too when we tried to get me into the VA in Fargo. (Turns out I couldn't!) She is so kind, will be there for me when ever I need her. I love spending time with her, and always want to be around here, even when she doesn't want to be around me! Hah!
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