MRI and CT scan 💿 handed to me to bring home. OMG! A first for me!

[Hotlantaphatz]

Because of possible liver met and pleural cavity met, I had both scans today to monitor if any progression. I was handed the cd’s with the written results by the imaging team like it was a cd of one of my favorite singing 🎶groups. Lol! However my appointment with my oncologist is next week. I want to view the written results, but I am a big 🐔. Has anyone ever viewed their results before meeting with their doc? I am trying to be strong but knowing I have the results in my little hands is going to drive me nuts!

[Adele_Julia]

I always review my results so I can formulate questions ahead of time. Blessings on your report !

[Andersl]

well if you look at them or not the result will be the same

[Hotlantaphatz in reply to Andersl]

Anders… you make sense of our reality! Thank you thank you!

[Andersl in reply to Hotlantaphatz]

youre very welcome.

[8576]

Ask for a printed copy. I am not sure of your system or mine and it would be a shame to ruin the disk. That way ypu know the results and can get your questions ready. And you won't be sitting one pins and needles waiting for the results. Best of luck!

Cheers, June S.

[Puppy_love]

we have a portal where we can see results before the oncologist. I’m always very curious so of course I look before I see my oncologist. Then if I have questions I write to him on the portal.

[8576]

Just to add to my previous comment, I have both a Ct and bone scan today. I think I had that once before but I don't think it is a good idea because of the dyes they use but they must know what they are doing. I am getting to dislike the scans however, I guess they have to do it. I used to tolerate them but find lately I just have trouble facing them, especially the bone scan. It takes so long.

Cheers, June S.

[Gingerann1]

Hi Hotlanta! I also get my results on the portal before my Onc. As soon as the email pings me that I have test results in MyChart I open and review. I have the scans (CT of chest, abdomen & pelvis and bone scan) on one day, stay overnight and see the Onc the next morning after my bloodwork so I have time the night before to review and think of any questions. Then I have my Fulvestrant shots and drive 3 hours home. This has been routine for almost 2 years now. The months in between I go for bloodwork, shots and then home. I can see all bloodwork results within 30 minutes on MyChart so I feel I’m always in the know about what’s going on. Personal choice but I want to know snd not have the anxiety of the unknown. Whatever it is I know I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and power forward!

[Hotlantaphatz in reply to Gingerann1]

Thanks Ginger! You make a lot of sense.

[AvidBooklover]

Silly question here. Is that just the scan, or the results paperwork. I am saying this as if it is just the scan you may not have the software to read it, or know what you are looking at. I am not underestimating your talent, just tougher than you know!

[Hotlantaphatz in reply to AvidBooklover]

it is both scan cds.

[AvidBooklover in reply to Hotlantaphatz]

Sometimes you need special software to rrad them! THINK POSITIVELY!

[Totheriver]

I get my results all the time before hand and look at them. That way if I have questions I can ask my oncologist. Theresa

[TammyCross]

I also get a ping on my email and go to the patient portal and read the report. (I cannot get anything from the 1000 images -- I get a PET CT, shins to chin.) I try not to look at the report but I always do. The scan is usually 4 or 5 days before appointment with oncologist. The one time she was human and humane, she called me and said, laughing, you must be alarmed by the report. Don't be. The radiologists always put the worst case in the report, but I talk to him and get a better picture. -- I try to keep that in mind -- that the report sounds more negative than reality.

Like others, I always formulate questions. They are usually the wrong questions. One bad thing about these scans and tests is that you get to know everything that is wrong with your body unrelated to cancer, like aging joints, calcification of arteries, diverticuli, etc.

[mariootsi]

I never look at results. I am also too chicken! Lol. I wait to meet with my onc!

[AuntC]

I also get my test results on a portal, My Healthy Connection/My Chart. I see them a fews days prior to my onc appt. I do get nervous to read the results but it also gives me time to know what questions to ask.

[Fiercefighter13]

I sometimes get my PET/CT results online before I even get home from having the procedure. When this happens, I see the results long before my doctor does, and I'm really glad because it gives me time to see them and do some research into anything on them. This way, when I see my doctor we can have a meaningful discussion about the results and I don't have any surprises to research later. It also gives me a chance to write down questions that I may not have thought of hearing the results from my doctor before I see them. Good luck with your results, I hope it turns out to be a perfect result for you!!

[Thatflowerlady]

yes I have had my results in advance and like it a lot . I have time to read absorb , research and then ask my experts the questions. Other wise I get overwhelmed , and forget to ask . The anxiety I feel with the unknown is unhealthy in my mind .

I hope this helps

Luann

[Mumberly]

I typically have my scan report before my oncologist appointment and like the others, I read it ahead of time.

Not only does it help to form the discussion, but you’re also not distracted. And I find my oncologist is happy to report the bottom line - improvement, stability, etc but she doesn’t get into the small details and I like to know everything and how it compares to my previous scan.

She’ll answer my questions but might not have brought those things up if I didn’t ask.

All the best with your decision and your appointment

Kim

Sometimes we know

[KC47]

I always ask for a copy of scan reports. I always feel like the oncologist hasn’t read it thoroughly so they just say something vague like “everything looks fine”! I want all the facts, not just the bits they choose! It’s also handy to monitor my degenerative back problem…two birds, one stone!!! 😊

[PJBinMI]

I always ask for scan results as soon as possible so I have time to think about them and what I want/need to ask my onc. When I was first diagnosed with MBC, in 2004, I rarely got those results ahead of my appt with onc but a few years ago, it became standard for them to be available on my "Patient Portal." I really appreciate getting them ahead of appts! If I were told by my onc that there was enough progression to change meds, I might not really hear anything else she said! (Now results usually available within 1-2 days after scans)

[SeattleMom]

Hello! I ALWAYS get results ahead of oncologist and am so RELIEVED to have time to prepare questions and to calm myself.

FYI, I had liver mets discovered a few months ago, and a treatment change to Vinorelbine has had very positive results. God bless you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻💗💗

Linda in Seattle