PET Scan 2025 #11

A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan is a medical imaging technique that uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer to create detailed images of internal body structures and metabolic processes, often combined with a CT scan for anatomical details in a PET-CT scan. By tracking how cells use the radioactive substance, PET scans can help detect and monitor various conditions, including many types of cancer, brain disorders, and heart conditions, by identifying areas of abnormal metabolic activity. The procedure involves an injection of the tracer, followed by a period of rest, and then a painless scan where the patient lies on a bed that moves through a circular scanner.

Between 2014 and 2018 I’ve had 10 of these scans. They are considered one of the most important scans for detecting cancer cells. I have been pushing my medical team to do this scan since January. Underlying medical issues delayed the decision to do it, my Oncologist found that my kidney issues which appeared to cause recurring UTIs were causing blood tests that normally prompt investigations were being caused by UTIs so referral to a urologist was the decided route. This resulted in a PCNL operation to my left kidney but also cleared the way to see what was happening in my lymph nodes. Following the PCNL I had 48 hours of strong antibiotics in the hospital. During the operation the radiologist noted a badly swollen lymph node but the surgeon decided it was too deep to tackle and getting to it would have resulted in further blood loss and concerns about recovery. A follow up meeting with my haematologist confirmed the urgent need for a PET Scan. So a long wait since January 2025 for this decision, 9 months but finally a booked appointment to get one.

This scan will confirm if I remain in remission or need a biopsy. Basically the results will be either hot or cold- cold will indicate no presence of cancer cells but hot will indicate where cancer cells are present and allow the team to target an area for biopsy.

This was scheduled for 29th September but cancelled by the Urologist, basically he decided that it was not safe to have the PET scan until the stent was removed on 17th of October and then another 4 week wait to let everything settle, so extended to 11 months wait, scanxiety at its best, and then the wait for results. The 17th marks 8 years since my last PET scan. 17th October 2017 my first completely clear scan.

I have had to dig deep to maintain my mental health, my gut feeling is that the Lymphoma is back and fighting this feeling is difficult to say the least. Absolutely zero help for psychological wellbeing from the medical team and the attitude comes across as you’re fine, don’t worry. This is based on the fact that I am now nearly 8 years in remission and the chances of relapse are minimal- suggested at less than 5% which is great since I had less than a 2% chance of survival in 2017. Our medical specialist tend to overlook how patients perceive information. The fact that I am currently on antidepressants should be a red flag but no…as a cancer victim I can appreciate stats but treatment should never be based on stats unless it relates to the actual benefits between treatment types. In some ways my temperament will be pushed to its limits with the next consultant that throws a percentage at me, the stats for cancer suicide is understated, why ? Because suicide is considered “taking your own life” but rarely recognising the real underlying condition. The actual percentage is .08% which in my view is way off reality. So what if I fall within the 2% or 98% bracket- what really matters here is the individual not the stats. When first diagnosed I ticked off a number of boxes-and my initial diagnosis was based on these symptoms but because I’ve survived the presence of these same symptoms are not considered. This approach has left me in an absolute state and too long before a consultant finally listening. It’s not fucking rocket science lads. If there are significant delays between tests then the medical teams need to look closer at psychological wellbeing, one of the many excuses I’ve heard over the past 10 months is the paperwork to justify a PET scan, I consider that I have an 11 year history of Stage 4 cancer and monitoring this is justifiable, I’ve also been told that it’s more complicated because I am on private health insurance, my answer to that was that I have a public health medical card but no can do. And the reason is that a private consultant can’t get the same financial benefit from the public health system. The more involved I become with medical care the more disillusioned I get. I don’t want this fucker in my life it has already destroyed so much, not just physically but mentally and financially.

Now to the fact that our house is on the market to help getting our savings back to some acceptable level & also buy another house. Adding stress to stress seems to be a way of life for me. We are both very much in love with this house. It was in poor condition when I purchased it in Feb 2025 and it took nearly 8 months for me to get the house right, I know I can do this again but it’s finding the right place, no matter what happens the next house will be a keeper, which unfortunately I said about our current home but with the current cost of medical care this year we are now in need of further funding..

As always my consultant urologist, as described in my previous two articles when asked about prevention management had advised that it would be discussed at a later stage, on Friday that later stage appointment arrived in the post but turns out to be a referral to a nephrologist and a meeting fee of €260. It’s typical of private consultants – they pass you around their buddies to exploit as much as possible I had to google this;

Nephrologists are internists who diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic kidney conditions, such as kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. They’re experts in renal health, and they identify issues with your kidneys to help you maintain good health.

But get this, I must pay €100 just to get an appointment and all payments must be made by cash and will not accept card payments.

And some people wonder why I keep selling our house. This is a perfect example, I had expected this year to cost me €6000 in medical bills but I have already passed that and heading towards €7000 by end of the year and that’s based on the assumption that the PET will be clear – if it’s not clear then simply I’d be better off dead and keep a roof over Anita’s head.

I’m also looking at Irish government support to see if they can assist in helping me financially, but the fact that I’m mortgage free and own a house has killed every application in the past – it took months to get them to move me from a job seeker’s allowance to an invalidity pension, the biggest argument was that they viewed it possible to work from home even during therapy but my oncologist wrote a very stern letter explaining that I was classed a Terminal Stage 4 Cancer & he would not recommend reliance on my decision making capability. I am expecting them to review this soon. Currently I am on all available assistance at €252.90 a week, My last payment on Thursday entered my account early in the morning but was followed by our electricity debt at 10am for €270 (that’s 2 month billing). If I am diagnosed as relapsed then we will have even higher electric bills going forward. And from past experience an increased diet plan. It’s the hidden cost of cancer that only patients can truly grasp.

Monday 3rd November 2025

Prep for this scan started yesterday. Strictly no sugar or alcohol and fasting from midnight but allowed water as its essential for the scan. I left 4 names to be copied on the results- the haematologist that referred me, my long term Oncologist, my urologist as he asked me to include him in all scans for the next year and my GP. My GP is great and over the past 18 months I have built up a great relationship with her, she understands how well I can absorb information and has had no issues in the past releasing test results to me. My hope is to get a copy of the scan results before discussing with the haematologist- basically I’d like to be able to research the results before he presents them and have my normal couple of 100 questions ready.

Blood sugar test done – as I am a recovered Chemotherapy Steroid induced type 1 diabetic they have to be extremely careful as the tracer injection uses glucose, which in reality is one of the most dangerous for diabetes but cancer cells love it. It’s the glucose that highlights cancer cells and basically lights them up during scans, my first PET scan “looked like a Christmas tree” in the exact words from my oncologist (see below for Pet Scan explanation. Midway through chemo in 2014 my 6 week PET scan pre scan blood sugar test was 33.5 as against a maximum of 7, that’s when I was diagnosed with Chemotherapy Steroid induced type 1 diabetes, if they had failed to test me prior to the scan I would have gone into a diabetic coma. But not today…

Blood sugar at 5.2 so good to scan. Avoid children and pregnant women for 8 hours following scan, I’ve been avoiding both for 63 years so that’s an easy one, however we have a small dog that’s very affectionate called Alfie and he has to be avoided so that’s the challenge for later today.

Dogs are definitely comfort creatures and this little fellow thinks when you’re gone for a couple of hours it’s like days, full body waggle and bouncing- Jack Russell’s don’t like separation but don’t know what we would do without him. Back to the scan, fully prepped for the procedure and awaiting the tracer injection – then an hour to allow it so it’s work prior to scan, Slightly different approach as the nurse who gave the injection didn’t turn and run, they ware radiation units and as she was injecting me it started to react to the trace radiation.

What is a PET scan?

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that produces images of your organs and tissues at work. The test uses a safe, injectable radioactive chemical called a radiotracer and a device called a PET scanner.

All done, no hints from the nurses but a considerable amount of time scanning neck and chest.The original scan in 2014 showed a lot of activity with cancer cells to my right neck and chest. With a lymph node swollen under my right arm pit I’m not surprised and now the waiting game for results commences