PET, Thrush, IGR, etc.

Lots of confusing terms, acronyms, scans, oncologists and information overload rounded out today's doctor visits. I will say the two oncologists that I met for the first time today were awesome. Cancer is not an easy topic to talk about especially when you are the one dealing with the disease. They both took the time to explain my particular tumor, the course of treatment (including the easy and hard parts) and really made me feel that I was in good hands.

The best part about today was the results of the PET scan (which by the way is much better than an MRI scan). The scan confirmed the cancer is isolated to my neck area and has not spread elsewhere!

Otolaryngologist - say that three times as fast as you can

ENT (short for Ear, Neck and Throat specialist or the technical term: Otolaryngologist). Met with the ENT today and his early diagnosis was a malignant tumor measuring 5x7x3 centimeters.

It was a large mass and required a biopsy. Looks like the course of treatment will be several weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Will learn more during upcoming visits with two oncologists and a PET scan.

MRI

Went to get an MRI today - first time. Wasn't sure what to expect and I even did a little research on the internet to prepare myself for the scan. I'm not claustrophobic, but the thought of entering the tube was beginning to get to me. 

The night before the MRI I did a little research on the internet to see how folks cope with MRIs. There was a lot of advice. Techniques including emotional freedom, neuro-lingustic, hypnosis, etc. No time to practice the techniques as my appointment was the very next morning. 

Get to the MRI room and I was thinking - I got this, nothing to it. Lay still and it will be over in a few minutes. Then the tech starts explaining the process. . . not only did I have to lay still, I had to have my head locked down and the scan was going to take 40 minutes. 20 minutes for the first round and then an injection and back into the MRI for another round of 20 minutes.

It's a distant memory now. . . thank goodness. . .