Today, we reviewed the PET scan results from April 6th with our oncologist , and the results were not what we were hoping for.
They have detected that “intense activity is present in a relatively small lymph node at the apex of the left axilla adjacent to the clavicle”. In layman’s terms there is activity in my left arm pit. They suspect that “activity” is a recurrence of lymphoma. A biopsy would confirm if it’s lymphoma or something else but it’s too small to perform a biopsy.
The current plan is to perform a CT scan of this area to get an exact size and location and to treat it with radiation. One possible complication is that if the area to be radiated overlaps with the October 2020 chest radiation treatments they may not be able to do it because the tissue can only handle so much radiation. Plan B is chemotherapy.
A bit of good news from the PET scan is there is just this one spot that is related to the cancer and the scan did not show any spread in my chest etc.
While this blog started out as “My Journey through a lymphoma diagnosis” there has been another heath issue over the last nine months that has become intertwined with my overall medical journey.
It’s an issue that is in a very personal and intimate location of my body and up until now I’ve hesitated to put it on the blog but I think that will change. There was another area in my body that “lit up” on the scan. I was expecting this as the PET scan can detect inflammation and I have a fair bit of that going on.
Back in August 2022 I was diagnosed with perianal abscess(es) and fistulas. Since that date there have been many examinations by several specialists, several CT and MRI scans, three surgeries and two emergency ER admissions and several biopsies. To date all the testing says it’s not cancer. However, there is no diagnosis or treatment at this point, just a lot of pain which unfortunately is not well controlled.
The current status of this issue is that we’re waiting for a consult with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) gastroenterologist and a referral to the Pain Clinic. I suspect there will be more testing and hopefully a diagnosis and treatment.
Since this has been going on for a while I may go back and retroactively blog about this part of the journey. This may or may not have been a good idea but I’ve given it a name, PITA . Pain In The A**
Thank you so much for sharing this aggravating issue
We will continue to lift you up in prayer and believe for a successful outcome in every case
Love
Louis
Thanks my friend ❣️
Dear Garry, You never cease to amaze me. Your blogs are so well written and certainly keep your family and friends well advised. All this with an obvious, underlying determination for healing. Please know I thank God every night for the miracle He performed on you before, and He will continue to do so. I so admire your grace through this difficult journey.
Thanks Pat ❤️
Good morning
My and my wife’s prayers are with you and your family. We are praying for the doctors to understand and treat the issues you have mentioned. Knowing you are prepared for the fight against this disease, I want you and your family to feel God’s presence every step along the journey