I had my PET/CT scan on June 6th (my father's birthday) and we returned for a follow-up after waiting five days. My mind had been really difficult to harness at work on the Thursday before this visit.
After our first visit, my oncologist had suggested I contact the fertility doctor and discuss pregnancy outcomes for post-trachelectomy patients to help my decision making of which surgery was right for me. We had also had a little more time to research and feel more comfortable with this newer less radical option for treatment.
We were waiting on pins and needles and my oncologist forgot to give us the PET/CT results right away. He was surprised when we both heaved a huge sigh of relief - he thought he made it clear he did not expect to find anything at this stage. We both knew the chance of anything concerning on the scan was slim but after two weeks of terrible news and bad test results we were prepared for the worst. MY SCAN WAS CLEAR!!!
We scheduled the surgery date for a simple trachelectomy on July 5th as well as another consultation with a peri-natal specialist who deals with high risk pregnancies. My oncologist wanted us to have all the information going into this surgery which was GREATLY appreciated. So we would have one last consultation June 22nd with the perinatologist and then my pre-op on June 29th. We had a plan and I am the type of person who always likes to have a plan...
This was the best Wedding Anniversary gift we could have asked for. As soon as we got the results we left for a weekend trip to the Oregon Coast that we had been planning for several months. The timing couldn't have been better! Prior to this we felt like we were sliding down a steep cliff with nothing to grab onto - this appointment stopped our fall and we were able to finally feel some sense of normalcy.
Coastline in Yachats, OR
(view from our window)
**SPECIAL NOTE on Having the PET/CT scan**
Prior to having the PET/CT, I had to eat a low-carb diet with minimal sugar for 1 day and fast for at least 6 hours prior to the scan. When I arrived they took me back, gave me the injection with the radioactive glucose and had me sit completely still for about 45 minutes to allow the glucose to be absorbed only by active tissues (if cancer is present it is highlighted by high glucose metabolism). The scan itself was comfortable and took about 20 minutes. I had no problem with claustrophobia as there was a wide opening. The only sound was like a quiet fan and the technician was able to talk to me through microphones.
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