PET Scan Results and a New Plan

The biggest story regarding the PET scan was with the squirrel that delayed the scan by one day.  The poor squirrel bit off more than it could choose with the high voltage lines.  I have a picture, but I'll spare you.

We prepped J's arm with EMLA cream, which is basically topical anesthetic in a lotion form.  I was worried that it may make the vessels constrict and not be a good target for gaining access, but I was wrong and he was easily accessed.  He hopped on the bed without complaint, made himself comfortable (or directed the techs how to make him comfortable) and listened to a medley of classical music during the scan.

The results:  Disclaimer, I may have looked at the scan, which may not have been formally read yet.  But I don't think the final report will be much different.

Lymph nodes:  The initial lymph nodes were large, probably like an orange, and had lots of activity.  He had three-ish of them.  The nodes in the pelvis aren't seen anymore.  Another lymph node higher up has shrunk down and is now about the size of a peanut and has no activity associated with it (dead lymphoma).  It is a little bit smaller than the scan in the middle of treatment.  Good news.

Questionable finding:  Last time there was the area of activity that I thought was left over inflammation from the abscess.  It's still there.  It's a little bit smaller than before, but still has activity.  I would have been happier if the activity went away, but I still don't think it's active lymphoma and it's getting smaller.  I think I have the oncologists satisfied that we can watch and see what it looks like in three months.

There weren't any new lymph nodes!!!

He still has some small kidney stones.  I guess there is a little bit of bad news.

The plan from here:  

Remove the medication port sometime in the next several weeks.

Continue taking pills meant to dissolve the kidney stones (he is excited about that).

Continue taking an antibiotic over the next several months to prevent certain lung infections.

Go to a week-long summer camp designed for kids with cancer (active or treated) in July.  He will get his next check up while at the camp, which is supervised and partly organized by the three oncologists.  He gets to take his older sister with him as a companion.

The oncologists will write up a summary of his care and deliver a copy to us and help us find a new oncologist for when we move in July.

Continue to get stronger and return to his old self.  

He gained 7 pounds since he was in treatment.  His hair is growing back, looks like a military haircut right now.   Today life looks really good.