PET scan

Hi there and welcome to the site.

One main thing is to remain positive and your username certainly makes you sound very positive . 

The good news is that there is a very high success rate for breast cancer treatments and there are lots of treatment options. At the moment you are at a real shitty point - playing the waiting game! It is much easier to cope when you have a treatment plan to focus on. Make sure you keep yourself busy. Are you working? If not, try to get out and go for a walk everyday, read a book, watch a boxset - keep your mind occupied.

One main thing is do not use dr google. He is often out of date so the information you read may not be accurate. If you are looking stay on the well known cancer sites - macmillan, breast cancer care, cancer research etc. 

Cwtches, 

Gay xxx

Sorry you are here but you have found a good site for support and friendship. 

These early stages of waiting for tests and results are probably the worst as once the oncologists have all the details you will have a treatment plan and feel in more control. I don't  think anyone on this site would not admit to having felt very worried and shocked at the start but gradually as treatment progresses and understanding develops, the fear subsides.

I had a PET scan. It takes about half a day. Before the scan you are given a radioactive dye which will attach itself to any cancerous cells elsewhere in the body. If any are found,it would mean that treatment to remove them could begin simultaneously with your breast cancer. It is a deluxe scan........CT and MRI show certain images but the PET scan is very thorough....hence the longer prep time. My scan ( as do the majority) showed no cancer. I had already had a lumpectomy to remove it. Can you imagine how reassuring that will be? To know that there has been no spread. I didn't have to wait long for the results as I had an appointment the next day with my oncologist. 

So once you have had the PET scan I would imagine the doctor's will give you a treatment plan shortly afterwards as you have obviously already done a lot of waiting. Usually it is a team which may include the surgeon, an oncologist , radiologist and nurse who plan your treatment. This is a precaution to help prevent some of the dreadful malpractice we have sometimes heard  about on the news.

On this site ask any questions you like. If anything is confusing, someone will have shared your experience and will offer advice or support.

If you are worried and need something to distract your mind, try the Awake thread or the picture captions. There is usually some light hearted conversation in progress although there are also serious discussions and a lot of empathy.

I hope you hear soon the date for the scan so the waiting will finish and your treatment can start. Treatments are not always pleasant but they will start you on the way to recovery and today many cancers are successfully treated. My own was removed in 2015.

Take care. Stay safe from Covid19.

Love Karen

Ah thanks very much for your reassuring advice. Yes I'm working from home and I have a dog so I do go out every day. You're right about keeping busy and that's what I'll keep on doing. I just hope my appointment for the scan comes through quickly as its playing havoc with my anxiety! I just want to get on with dealing with this as quickly as possible.

Thanks xx

Thanks Karen. Wow, you've done so well that your cancer was removed in 2015, that's really positive. I'm hoping I get the appointment for the PET scan soon so I can crack on and the cancer is dealt with asap. Thanks for your explanation re the PET scan too much appreciated. 

Xx