I had a PET scan in Boston this morning, per my request. My concern was regarding the ongoing pain in my left shoulder. Dr. Lin felt it was 99% certain that it was referred pain from the atelectasis in my left upper lobe. I wanted to rule out a bone met.
Well, Dr. Lin was spot on, as the scan highlighted the hot spots in my lungs but nothing in my shoulder:
CHEST:
Mild reactive FDG uptake to loculated left-sided pleural effusion, unchanged in size compared to 11/6/2020.
Intense FDG uptake to the subpleural masslike left upper lobe consolidation with superior and dominant anterior component. The inferior component measures 5.8 x 3.0 cm, unchanged compared to most recent correlation CT chest when measured in a similar fashion, but significantly increased in extent and size compared to CT chest from 12/2/2019 (3:117).
Additional focal FDG avid disease posteriorly (CT 4, 66; PT 3, 114), adjacent to atelectatic lung.
Additional smaller right upper lobe solid nodules demonstrate focal intense FDG uptake, with representative examples including 11 mm left upper lobe nodule (CT 4, 58; PT 3, 122) and 9 mm right upper lobe nodule (CT 4, 57; PT 3, 123). These nodules have demonstrated gradual increase in size, number and progression since 2019.
Mild FDG uptake to 1.0 cm right hilar lymph node (3:117).
So, those horses may be out of the barn but they haven’t moved to higher pastures. In six days, we’ll be taking another approach. At this stage of the game (multiple resistance mutations) anything is a long shot. Having a shot–any shot at all–is what matters to me.
Let’s do this.
xo
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
I have only been following your posts for a month or two but wanted to reach out to you as a sister cancer warrior. You’ve been at this a bit longer than I (just over 5 years for me) but we share so much in common (we are both artists, for one) that I wanted to reach out and tell you how much I look forward to reading all your posts. Your scans are like a mirror image of mine, your loculated pleural effusion and major tumor on the left, mine on the right. What’s most interesting is that we have chosen completely opposite paths to hopefully achieve the same goals. I wish you the best of luck with the new treatment plan and I eagerly await your next post.
All the best,
Karen
Yes, let’s do this Linnea. Anything you need Jeff and I are with you…
Love
You have one huge, huge factor in your favor. Living in Boston area gives you access to probably most of the very best treatment options current and advancing science has at your doorstep.You are sort of blessed in the shot department.
I live in Ohio and have to travel long distance for this. I worry how long I can keep the travel up.
You have one huge factor in your favor. Living in Boston area gives you access to probably most of the very best treatment options current and advancing science has at your doorstep.You are sort of blessed in the shot department.
I live in Ohio and have to travel long distance for this. I worry how long I can keep the travel up.
Relieved to hear that your PET was clear in your shoulder. I was at Mass General yesterday having a CT – and kept thinking I might run into you or Diane – sorry we missed each other. Positive energy coming your way my friend!!!
Karen