Thursday, July 08, 2004
CAT
Today Paul had a C(A)T scan, the second in a series that will gradually decrease in frequency over the next five years. We don't yet know the results, and I'm going to be anxious until we get them. I sent off an email this evening to Carol, asking when we might get the results.
One of the (surprising to me) bits of information gleaned from the appointment last week with Dr. Futran is that UWMC has no standardized protocol for follow-up scans and appointments. The otolaryngology department is apparently working on developing their own standards, but right now it seems to be up to each doctor to determine the follow-up plan for his/her patients.
Dr. Futran has proposed CT scans every 6 months for the next couple of years. He says that CTs don't show masses under about a centimeter in size, so scans twice a year are usually sufficient. However, he said that they could be done more often (every 3-4 months, perhaps) if we want.
And I want... especially since Paul's body couldn't handle the amount of radiation they'd normally use to zap any errant cells that might decide, God forbid, to multiply. While the margins were clear, and the lymph nodes were negative, Dr. Futran did mention yesterday that there were a few tumor cells along the nerves, which, he said, "is common in tumors of this size." This was new information, and I realize as I write this that I didn't get him to elaborate on it. I'm not sure what, if anything, that means in terms of possible recurrence. I'll find out.
Anyway, more frequent scans are what I want... but I haven't discussed this with Paul, and it is his choice. Paul's the one who has to deal with the actual procedure, including the sometimes multiple needle sticks to get in the IV line for the contrast dye. (Unfortunately, the veins that took the least damage in the first cancer war are in Paul's left arm, which is out of commission for an unspecified time from the skin graft.) Today, they got the line in on the second try, but used the particularly painful wrist vein in order to do so. Fortunately, neither that puncture nor the unsuccessful one near the elbow seem to be bruising much. However, the combined stresses of dealing with the procedure, trying to get a day's worth of calories after starting very late (he was told no food after midnight, scan was at 10 a.m., he didn't get home 'til around noon), and worrying about the unknown outcome have taken a toll; he's one worn-out, cranky guy.
We'll let you know about the CT results.