Hopefully a permanently uneventful thread

[Fed]

I had my first slew of tests this week, and all seems to be going well. The "niglet" in the remaining guy has remained the same and there are no new masses as seen by ultrasound, so that's good. The doc wants to check it out again in August to ensure it stays the same (or disappears). Markers are still within normal ranges, too.

The only thing that at first seemed out of place was that the CT scan report from a couple of days ago mentioned the existence of a 5 mm aortocaval node that presumably was already there on my original Dx. Even though this node was never mentioned in the radiology report from several months ago, the most recent report states that the node has remained unchanged since then. The doc said this would become worrisome if either a) it grows to > 1 cm or b) it changes shape. He stated this certainly bears watching, and that's exactly what we'll do.

Next update in mid-June (and hopefully not prior to that). Best to all from an iced-over Beantown,

[dadmo]

Well that stinks. If it's any comfort Jason has some lung spots that have remained unchaned for 3 years. Every once in a while the body just produces stuff and junk. I'm not sure if that's the actual scientific term but it's late.

[djmac]

I had my first slew of tests this week, and all seems to be going well. The "niglet" in the remaining guy has remained the same and there are no new masses as seen by ultrasound, so that's good. The doc wants to check it out again in August to ensure it stays the same (or disappears). Markers are still within normal ranges, too.

The only thing that at first seemed out of place was that the CT scan report from a couple of days ago mentioned the existence of a 5 mm aortocaval node that presumably was already there on my original Dx. Even though this node was never mentioned in the radiology report from several months ago, the most recent report states that the node has remained unchanged since then. The doc said this would become worrisome if either a) it grows to > 1 cm or b) it changes shape. He stated this certainly bears watching, and that's exactly what we'll do.

Next update in mid-June (and hopefully not prior to that). Best to all from an iced-over Beantown,

Congratulations! A 5mm node is in the normal range. It's actually at the limits of detection for most CTs so they may or may not detect it. My first CT (DxCT) almost tipped the scales towards radiation. My oncologist wanted radiation, my radiation oncologist was happy with surveillance. This, because some nodes were 'observed'. She (the oncologist) explained to me that for surveillance she wants to see a perfectly clear CT. The fact is that LNs are normally very small, but they can and are detected by a scanner. So merely the presence of a node on a CT means nothing unless it is growing and nodes can be frequently detected in everyone.

No nodes were noted on my last scan, so they were either not detected, or not noted. No indication of lymphadenopathy WAS noted, and that is what is key.

By the way... it is perfectly standard for the radiologist to notice something that wasn't noted before, and then go back to the original scans to see if they were there then, but just not noted. They noted a appendicolith in my last report, went back and noted it in the original. I'm not too worried about it because then I went back to 2000 and noted it in my CT scan report for a severe kidney stone I had back then. I also have two phleboliths on my left side that have been stable since 1994.

Keep up the good work, Fed!

[Margaret]

I had my first slew of tests this week, and all seems to be going well. The "niglet" in the remaining guy has remained the same and there are no new masses as seen by ultrasound, so that's good. The doc wants to check it out again in August to ensure it stays the same (or disappears). Markers are still within normal ranges, too.

The only thing that at first seemed out of place was that the CT scan report from a couple of days ago mentioned the existence of a 5 mm aortocaval node that presumably was already there on my original Dx. Even though this node was never mentioned in the radiology report from several months ago, the most recent report states that the node has remained unchanged since then. The doc said this would become worrisome if either a) it grows to > 1 cm or b) it changes shape. He stated this certainly bears watching, and that's exactly what we'll do.

Next update in mid-June (and hopefully not prior to that). Best to all from an iced-over Beantown,

I just wanted to lend my support in the waiting process and here's hoping it is nothing at all. Fingers crossed you are posting in June telling us all that everything is perfect!

Margaret

[Apache]

Fed,

CT done at same place on same machine and same reading radiologist? Definitely watch it. I had a similar issue last spring and went back 1 month after the first CT showed the same RP node large to run the test again. Luckily all's cool.

[dt22207]

Congratulations. Hope everything stays good for you in the months ahead.

[Fed]

CT done at same place on same machine and same reading radiologist? Definitely watch it.

Nope. Different machine and radiologist (first time in the ER, second time on first surveillance follow-up. My onco and I concur that this warrants a careful watch on the next scan. He said to contact him if I had any issues in the interim. We're definitely on the ball!

[rhoon]

Fed,
Do you know I was diagnosed (and had surgery) the day before Thanksgiving too? Now what are the chances of that? We both have stage 1 Seminoma, we both chose surviellance, and we are both new fathers. when was yours born?

Congratulations on the clear check-up. You are my t-c brother and I am strong there with you. I hope to post similar news in a month.
-Robin

[Fed]

Do you know I was diagnosed (and had surgery) the day before Thanksgiving too? Now what are the chances of that? We both have stage 1 Seminoma, we both chose surviellance, and we are both new fathers. when was yours born?

Whoa. (That's another Matrix moment) Emi was born in June of '05. Yours?

Congratulations on the clear check-up. You are my t-c brother and I am strong there with you. I hope to post similar news in a month.
-Robin

Bro, I'll be looking forward to hearing that news.

[rhoon]

Fed my daughter was born Dec '03, and my son is due in three weeks. Had my urologist snip my remaining one at the same time as my orch, we knew we were finished at two!
I have an appt with my med onc in two weeks to schedule my nest ct scan. I am going to have my testosterone level checked then too. I'll keep you posted.
Sincerely, Robin

[Fed]

Still unremarkable!

Just came back from my elevator trip to see the doc. Markers are good; the minuscule aortocaval node is still there, but unchanged; and the chest X-ray came back clean. As such, the doc gave me an "all clear" .

Next follow-up is due in October (with an ultrasound in August to check on lefty), a few days before the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin. Hopefully there'll be more cause to celebrate there, since at around that time, I will be two months away from the one-year mark.

[Chris'Mom]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers that all will be great....Mary Ellen

[oscar666]

Hi

Fed,
I am sure you are in perfect shape and you are perfectly “clean”.
Imagine how many people in this world don’t know the existence of CT scan
… and how many people have “normal” lymph nodes > 5mm.

Enjoy the life now!

[fuse929]

Awesome news on the "all clear" Fed!

Bobby

[Russell's Mom]

Easter eggs

Well these little lumps are not like finding Easter Eggs are they!?!?? Russell too. Wish they were gone, glad to know to watch them. Most of all, it sounds like you are on the strong side of it! Enjoy! Russell's Mom, Sharon