The normal progression would be to wait for blood and urine tests, re-doing them as necessary until finding the actual hormone being secreted, and then do a scan to find the tumor. But while the CT scan was normal there were spots with questionable soft tissure that could be hiding a tumor. That, paired with the physical symptoms have made his doctors decide to perform the next scan now, rather than wait. The scan being done is an octreotide scan, a procedure that is done over 48 hours. A dye is injected, 4 hours later a scan is done, and 48 hours later a second scan is done. There is radioactive material in the dye, which goes to the tumor, making it 'light up' during the scan.
They were trying to schedule it for tomorrow, but could not get the material needed for the injection until Monday. So we'll come back Monday for the first scan, and again Wendesday for the second. In the meantime, Shawn's doing two more urine tests this weekend in order to provide more data as soon as possible. Hopefully, at least the first set of results will be back by Wednesday.
So now that the ball has started rolling it is quickly picking up speed. His doctor now seems fairly certain that we're on the right track here.
My get-well present to Shawn is to fly Arie up here for the weekend. Did you hear that, Arie? It's my PRESENT to Shawn. You're not paying for the flight!
1 comment:
RE Arie, Too cute!!!
I am glad there is movement in the right direction. Good luck with the weekend exams. Again, thanks for sharing.
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