We went to see the oncologist today and she is really pleased with how well hubby looks and that his bloods are looking so much better. We asked her again about the possibility of having a scan and she has explained the reasons why they won't scan him, tho hard to except, we understand that it is best that he doesn't have a scan.
Discharged from oncology : We went to... - The Roy Castle Lu...
Discharged from oncology
Hi,
You can only take it as good news that your husband has been discharged.I understand about wanting a scan for peace of mind,I am the same.Enjoy your good news.
Stewart
Hi Tricia, did your onc give a reason for not doing a scan, was it that your husband Mark was given the chemo as adjuvant or because of the increased radiation from CT scans. What is Mark's prognosis and follow up regime. He should be seeing a consultant 6 monthly then annually if all goes well. I paid privately for my initial CT scan to speed up my diagnosis and will do so again if my consultant refuses to give me one if I ask. I presently get annual x-rays and lung function tests and feel pretty good at the moment but I am thinking about a CT scan in Dec just for peace of mind. Perhaps Mark should keep on at his onc and surgeon about getting a scan so he can then be absolutely sure that all is OK.
Good Luck Rab
Thanks for your message. We see his surgeon end of October and I will ask again about the scan. It was explained to us that the ct scan has high levels of radiation and that is a risk also that if he had a scan now it might be ok but there is nothing to say that in two months time it may be different, so when and how often to scan, all this we understand and except now. They have explained to us that if the cancer comes back (we don't know if it has gone) that chemo could be an option but it there would be little that could be done.
I will also ask when they will do a lung function test on him again as he's not had one since before his op and I'd like to know what his lung function is compared to what they thought it would be.
I still think that maybe an MRI scan might be an option as there is no radiation in MRI but for now I am happy that he is well in himself
That's excellent news, really pleased for you. Hope that you managed to get your holiday abroad too.
Best wishes
We weren't able to afford the cost of insurance for him. But we are hoping to go to main land Spain next year, the insurance is much cheeper the closer to home. We've desided not to plan, just do last minute as we can't seen to plan anymore as something goes wrong.
Thanks for your support.
Pleasure. We are in the same boat and have been visiting places closer to home, have had trip to Isle of Man and Wales.
take care and all the best
CT and MRI scans are generally funded for diagnosis and disease progression purposes, not for peace of mind reasons when the specialist is quite confident as to the condition of the lung. If you want a scan for reassurance purposes I suspect you will have to pay for it yourself. Sorry!
Tricia
Thanks for sharing the positive news. I hope things go well until October. It can be really difficult living with uncertainty when you have had cancer. It is worth being vigilant and if you or your hubby are aware of any changes in his health then do ask for referral back sooner.
best wishes
Lorraine
On behalf of the Information & Support team
Tricia, MRI scans are not able to detect LC as competently as CT it PET scans. When I was diagnosed with LC I was asked to undergo an MRI scan as part of trial looking to use MRI to detect tumours. With regard to travel insurance, you will find that this will cost less each year that passes and your hubby is NED. We were quoted over £1200 in 2012 for our trip to Singapore so we opted out of the cover for my LC. We have just booked flights for October and our insurance costs are now £260 with cancer cover. So keep looking on the positive side and enjoy your holiday.
Take care.
Rab