Friday, July 6, 2007

Nuclear Medicine


Nuclear medicine has come a long way. Think back to the bomb shelters of the 50's and 60's, where everyone was fearful of nuclear radiation fallout. People were encouraged to build lead lined shelters in their own yards to protect them from possible radiation fallout, which would lead to a 'horrible death". Today people are willing to have radioactive tracers injected into their very own bodies, not as a way to end their lives, but as a way to help prolong their life. In the past two days nuclear medicine has played a big part in Kevin's battle to rid melanoma from his life. Two different radioactive tracers have been used; one to help with the node mapping, the other, done today to look for "hot spots" or areas of metastases. Today's PET Scan using a radioactive tracer, will give a three dimensional view of his entire body, identifying hot zones, where cancer may have spread to. The process starts with fasting, then they give you a "banana flavored drink" which helps move the tracer through the body. After drinking it, you wait about 30 minutes then the radioactive tracer is injected. After a very short period of time the scanning begins. It takes about 2 hours for a total body scan. Then you go home with no restrictions. Follow up with the oncologist will take place this Wednesday, then the results of the PET Scan and the node biopsy will be discussed. We have the weekend off, no doctors, no tests, just waiting until Wednesday. Honestly the waiting is truly the hard part. Stay cool and have a nice weekend. It will be a hot one. Don't forget the sunscreen!

3 comments:

Mary Lou said...

Diagnostic testing is very refined and accurate these days. In the past, patients just had to wait and see. Now medicine is much more proactive. I'm hoping for good results for Kevin.

Anonymous said...

Hey Chris!! WOW, what shocking news!!! We're praying for the best for Kevin. If you need to talk, I'm always available. Having been through two cancer battles (prostate and basal cell carcinoma) with Erik this past year, I understand all that you are going through. Love to you both!

BTW, I am totally impressed with your BLOG..jenn

Chris said...

Thanks Jenn, we will be in touch. We should have more news on Wednseday. Kevin will meet with the oncologist to review all results. I'm also glad you enjoyed my BLOG.