Results of the CTscan done on 13 Sep 2012 was not very favourable.
Right upper chest and below collar bone - an enhancing mass of 2.5 x 1.2cm
Left breast - several tiny enhancing nodules - cancer has spread to my left breast despite the fact that I was on chemotherapy.
Heart - small pericardial effusion
Lungs - bilateral moderately large pleural effusions of the lungs and collapse of both lower lobes. No nodules seen in the lungs.
Liver - 1cm cyst in segment VIII - no sure if this is a new one.
Bones - metastasis seen in sternum (breastbone), ribs, spine and pelvis. Moderate compression fracture of T7 and mild compression fractures of a few vertebrae including T9 and L3.
Showing posts with label ctscan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ctscan. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Onco visit, CTscan & blood test
9 July 2012 - cancer marker is 104, up from 85.2 on 25 Jun 2012.
CTscan results :
Liver - 1 lump stable in segment 7, some other lumps are smaller
Right kidney and right ureter - calculus stable
Bones - Left lamina of C7 (cervical - last vertebra in neck area) seemed worse; other bony metastases are stable
Right thyroid lobe - incidental hypodensity stable since 16 Dec 2011
Lungs - patchy scarring (left by tumors)
Left adrenal gland - stable
Right chest wall - signs of local recurrence
As I would be having Zometa for my bones, my doctor suggested seeing the dentist to have my teeth fixed before chemo by iv. An appointment with the dentist was fixed.
Zometa prevents the release of calcium from bones but it has side effects.
Zometa can harm the kidneys and cause osteonecrosis of the jaw or bone loss in the jaw, which is why I have to fix my teeth first before receiving Zometa. I do not understand how Zometa can cause bone loss in the jaw and yet it is supposed to prevent release of calcium from bones.
I was scheduled to start herceptin and navelbine on 16 July 2012.
CTscan results :
Liver - 1 lump stable in segment 7, some other lumps are smaller
Right kidney and right ureter - calculus stable
Bones - Left lamina of C7 (cervical - last vertebra in neck area) seemed worse; other bony metastases are stable
Right thyroid lobe - incidental hypodensity stable since 16 Dec 2011
Lungs - patchy scarring (left by tumors)
Left adrenal gland - stable
Right chest wall - signs of local recurrence
As I would be having Zometa for my bones, my doctor suggested seeing the dentist to have my teeth fixed before chemo by iv. An appointment with the dentist was fixed.
Zometa prevents the release of calcium from bones but it has side effects.
Zometa can harm the kidneys and cause osteonecrosis of the jaw or bone loss in the jaw, which is why I have to fix my teeth first before receiving Zometa. I do not understand how Zometa can cause bone loss in the jaw and yet it is supposed to prevent release of calcium from bones.
I was scheduled to start herceptin and navelbine on 16 July 2012.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Xeloda 5th cycle, CTscan & blood test
3 May 2012 - Results of CTscan done on chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Right chest wall - resolved since last scan.
Lungs - Bilateral large pleural effusions with slight improvement on the left. Compressive atelectasis of both lower lobes remained. No pulmonary module detected.
Liver - hepatic cyst in segment 7 stable. Some lesions are stable and some are smaller.
Bones - extensive boney metastasis in the visualised skeletal structures.
Left adrenal gland - bulky but stable
Right kidney - Two subcentimeter urinary calculus remain and a stable 0.7cm calculus in right proximal ureter resulting in proximal hydroureteronephrosis.
9 May 2012 - blood test - cancer marker 70.
7 May 2012 - Although I started on the 5th cycle of Xeloda on 7 May, I only got to see my doctor on 10 May as she had some prior engagements to attend to.
Right chest wall - resolved since last scan.
Lungs - Bilateral large pleural effusions with slight improvement on the left. Compressive atelectasis of both lower lobes remained. No pulmonary module detected.
Liver - hepatic cyst in segment 7 stable. Some lesions are stable and some are smaller.
Bones - extensive boney metastasis in the visualised skeletal structures.
Left adrenal gland - bulky but stable
Right kidney - Two subcentimeter urinary calculus remain and a stable 0.7cm calculus in right proximal ureter resulting in proximal hydroureteronephrosis.
9 May 2012 - blood test - cancer marker 70.
7 May 2012 - Although I started on the 5th cycle of Xeloda on 7 May, I only got to see my doctor on 10 May as she had some prior engagements to attend to.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
CTScan Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis
I had a CTscan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis on 16 Dec 2011. My last CTscan was on 13 Dec 2010.
When I had my last CTscan in Dec 2010, the liquid contrast I had to drink after fasting for 4 hours caused indigestion and a bloated stomach and I had to be warded. For this CTscan, I turned down the oral liquid contrast. I still had to fast and drink plain water instead but in much lesser amount and I also had the iv liquid contrast during the scan. I was told that the images would not be as clear.
There is an increase in size and number of the nodules in the right chest wall, right pectoralis (chest muscle) region and the skin.
Bilateral pleural effusions with complete compressive atelectasis (collapse) of left lower lobe (of lung) and partial compressive atelectasis of the right lower lobe. Lymphangitis (infection of the lymph vessels) is suspected.
There is also a small amount of pericardial (heart) effusion.
My left adrenal gland appears slight nodular, but stable compared to previous scan.
Stones in my right kidney which caused mild hydronephrosis (water in kidney causing swelling).
Suspected nodes around the aorta.
Skeletal metastases with multiple pathological fractures and soft tissue masses at varius levels of the spine.
When I had my last CTscan in Dec 2010, the liquid contrast I had to drink after fasting for 4 hours caused indigestion and a bloated stomach and I had to be warded. For this CTscan, I turned down the oral liquid contrast. I still had to fast and drink plain water instead but in much lesser amount and I also had the iv liquid contrast during the scan. I was told that the images would not be as clear.
There is an increase in size and number of the nodules in the right chest wall, right pectoralis (chest muscle) region and the skin.
Bilateral pleural effusions with complete compressive atelectasis (collapse) of left lower lobe (of lung) and partial compressive atelectasis of the right lower lobe. Lymphangitis (infection of the lymph vessels) is suspected.
There is also a small amount of pericardial (heart) effusion.
My left adrenal gland appears slight nodular, but stable compared to previous scan.
Stones in my right kidney which caused mild hydronephrosis (water in kidney causing swelling).
Suspected nodes around the aorta.
Skeletal metastases with multiple pathological fractures and soft tissue masses at varius levels of the spine.
Friday, 24 December 2010
CTScan, Blood Test, X-Ray
Blood test done on 13 Dec 2010 - cancer marker CA153 is 26.3.
As I had not had another CTscan in recent months, this scan was compared to the one done on 7 Jul 2008.
There is
interval appearance of isodense (same) to hyperdense (more) nodules in right chest wall, suggestive of metastases - I have new nodules on my right chest wall;
interval resolution of bilateral pleural effusions - meaning no more fluid in lining of lungs;
interval appearance indeterminate tiny hypodense focus in segment 2 of liver - there is still nodules in my liver, and there is one that has grown from 0.9cm to 1.1cm
largely stable extensive osteolytic (loss of calcium from bone due to cancer) / sclerotic skeletal lesions - stabilized, there is no new spread to the bones.
Chest x-ray, done on 20 Dec 2010 when I was admitted, showed several thoracic and lumbar vertebra show end plate deformities, likely suggestive of bony metastasis. - These were the old ones from before.
The CTscan and X-ray results recommend further action.
As I had not had another CTscan in recent months, this scan was compared to the one done on 7 Jul 2008.
There is
interval appearance of isodense (same) to hyperdense (more) nodules in right chest wall, suggestive of metastases - I have new nodules on my right chest wall;
interval resolution of bilateral pleural effusions - meaning no more fluid in lining of lungs;
interval appearance indeterminate tiny hypodense focus in segment 2 of liver - there is still nodules in my liver, and there is one that has grown from 0.9cm to 1.1cm
largely stable extensive osteolytic (loss of calcium from bone due to cancer) / sclerotic skeletal lesions - stabilized, there is no new spread to the bones.
Chest x-ray, done on 20 Dec 2010 when I was admitted, showed several thoracic and lumbar vertebra show end plate deformities, likely suggestive of bony metastasis. - These were the old ones from before.
The CTscan and X-ray results recommend further action.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
CT Scan
I had an appointment with my onco, Dr JC on 20 Dec 2010, and he wanted me to have a CTscan of my chest and abdomen, and blood test before my appointment.
13 December 2010, I went for my CTscan and blood test.
I had to fast for four hours before my CTscan. Before the CTscan, I had to drink 2 cups (one upsized followed by one regular much later) of liquid contrast. Before I finished the upsized cup, I was already feeling bloated. While waiting, I was feeling mild pain and my stomach felt distended. When the nurse brought the second cup, she took one look at my face and told me I don't have to take it if I didn't want to. I didn't.
Before I went through the machine, I was hooked up on intravenous feed for more liquid contrast. The procedure did not take long, but when I left the hospital, my stomach was already not feeling good.
For the next few days, my stomach was in turmoil. If I didn't eat, I would feel faint. If I ate, I would get all jammed inside, followed by fever, vomiting. I tried home remedies but I just couldn't get rid of the gas trapped inside. I had lost my appetite. I was also having problem holding down plain watery porridge seasoned with salt and sauce. It got so bad, that when I looked at the food shows on tv, I felt like puking.
I lasted one whole week before I decided that I had had enough, called an ambulance and went back to the hospital.
At the hospital, I was immediately put on drip, and was seen by a fresh-faced, young intern (I think). He was asking questions concerning my medical history. As I was running a fever, he ordered urine and blood tests, and x-ray. I told him my stomach was the cause of my problem, but he did not accept that. He wanted to know if I was menopausal and when was my last period. My menstruation had stopped when I started chemo in January 2008. 2 years later (which was about 6 months ago), I had one last menstrual flow, which my ayurveda master attributed to clearing out the system.
When he heard my last menstrual flow was 6 months ago, he included a test for pregnancy. I insisted that I was not pregnant, that I was already menopausal, but he would listen. I gave up, I was sick, I had not eaten properly for a few days and I was in no mood to argue with him. When the nurse saw the request for pregnancy test, she pointed out that I was already menopausal, but he still referred to the fact that my last menstrual flow was 6 months ago. I am sure that when he pulled up my records on the computer, he would have seen that I was diagnosed as having advanced and terminal metastatic breast cancer, that I just had a CTscan which would have ruled out any possibility of pregnancy, I was past 50, and yeah, I forgot to mention that I had gone through ligation. Pregnant?? That was it! I told him firmly - I can assure you that I am not pregnant. That did it - no pregnancy test.
Next, a nurse took me for an x-ray. I was weak from not eating well, I had one arm hooked onto a drip, I was cold and I had to struggle to get out of my top and into hospital gear for the x-ray. Fortunately, I had some help with the undressing and dressing up from the nurse.
Then, the x-ray machine jammed. The nurse left me standing there holding the drip while she went to get help. I was feeling weak and cold and near collapse, when she finally returned with a senior nurse. The senior nurse was shocked to see me standing there with the drip. She quickly got me a chair to sit down and found something to hang the drip, and at the same time, telling off the nurse for leaving me in that manner. I was so grateful that I smiled as I was too weak to reply.
I was warded and discharged on the third day.
13 December 2010, I went for my CTscan and blood test.
I had to fast for four hours before my CTscan. Before the CTscan, I had to drink 2 cups (one upsized followed by one regular much later) of liquid contrast. Before I finished the upsized cup, I was already feeling bloated. While waiting, I was feeling mild pain and my stomach felt distended. When the nurse brought the second cup, she took one look at my face and told me I don't have to take it if I didn't want to. I didn't.
Before I went through the machine, I was hooked up on intravenous feed for more liquid contrast. The procedure did not take long, but when I left the hospital, my stomach was already not feeling good.
For the next few days, my stomach was in turmoil. If I didn't eat, I would feel faint. If I ate, I would get all jammed inside, followed by fever, vomiting. I tried home remedies but I just couldn't get rid of the gas trapped inside. I had lost my appetite. I was also having problem holding down plain watery porridge seasoned with salt and sauce. It got so bad, that when I looked at the food shows on tv, I felt like puking.
I lasted one whole week before I decided that I had had enough, called an ambulance and went back to the hospital.
At the hospital, I was immediately put on drip, and was seen by a fresh-faced, young intern (I think). He was asking questions concerning my medical history. As I was running a fever, he ordered urine and blood tests, and x-ray. I told him my stomach was the cause of my problem, but he did not accept that. He wanted to know if I was menopausal and when was my last period. My menstruation had stopped when I started chemo in January 2008. 2 years later (which was about 6 months ago), I had one last menstrual flow, which my ayurveda master attributed to clearing out the system.
When he heard my last menstrual flow was 6 months ago, he included a test for pregnancy. I insisted that I was not pregnant, that I was already menopausal, but he would listen. I gave up, I was sick, I had not eaten properly for a few days and I was in no mood to argue with him. When the nurse saw the request for pregnancy test, she pointed out that I was already menopausal, but he still referred to the fact that my last menstrual flow was 6 months ago. I am sure that when he pulled up my records on the computer, he would have seen that I was diagnosed as having advanced and terminal metastatic breast cancer, that I just had a CTscan which would have ruled out any possibility of pregnancy, I was past 50, and yeah, I forgot to mention that I had gone through ligation. Pregnant?? That was it! I told him firmly - I can assure you that I am not pregnant. That did it - no pregnancy test.
Next, a nurse took me for an x-ray. I was weak from not eating well, I had one arm hooked onto a drip, I was cold and I had to struggle to get out of my top and into hospital gear for the x-ray. Fortunately, I had some help with the undressing and dressing up from the nurse.
Then, the x-ray machine jammed. The nurse left me standing there holding the drip while she went to get help. I was feeling weak and cold and near collapse, when she finally returned with a senior nurse. The senior nurse was shocked to see me standing there with the drip. She quickly got me a chair to sit down and found something to hang the drip, and at the same time, telling off the nurse for leaving me in that manner. I was so grateful that I smiled as I was too weak to reply.
I was warded and discharged on the third day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)