PET Scan Results

On Thursday, May 15, we learned the long awaited results of my first PET scan since November. The results were just shy of perfect. A radiation oncologist who has not been involved in my treatment read the scan to avoid any potential bias. This oncologist thought the main tumor in the base of my tongue had been surgically removed. It was that gone! The lymph node has calcified and no cancer is present there either. This lump continues to shrink as my body slowly removes the dead remnants.

The PET scan revealed slight and scattered hot spots on the floor of my mouth which keep the results from being perfect. My oncologist said it is rare for cancer to spread there. It is probable these tiny hot spots are a result of me swallowing during the PET scan. Any muscle that is active during the scan will consume the glucose put into my veins. I recall swallowing hard multiple times during the scan. As a precaution, I will have another PET scan in August. In the meantime, I’m considering myself cancer free!

As my appointment came to an end, two nurses who have been helping me since the beginning of this journey asked if Theresa and I would participate in Relay for Life, a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. Specifically, they asked if Soul Focus, the band formed by American Century Investments employees, would perform. I will include information on this blog, if the band is able to play at the July 18th event scheduled for Oak Grove Park in Gladstone, Missouri. The nurses hope my participation will be an encouragement to others fighting cancer. Another band member was diagnosed with cancer about two years ago. If all goes well there will be two cancer survivors performing as examples of God’s grace and the importance of fulfilling ones doctor’s protocol.

I had hoped to gain approval from my oncologist to begin Vital Stim, which is a procedure to trigger contraction of my tongue and swallowing muscles. While my esophagus is now wide enough for soft foods, my swallowing muscles are not effective at moving the food from the base of my tongue to the esophageal opening. My speech therapist has provided me a full compliment of exercises to strengthen these muscles, but the progress is very slow. Vital Stim is used to accelerate the rehabilitation process. However, there have been reports of Vital Stim triggering growth of cancer in the head and neck, if its used too soon after radiation. My oncologist, who is appropriately conservative, will approve use of this treatment when I have a PET scan that leaves no doubt the cancer is gone. The tiny hot spots on the floor of my mouth were enough to sway his decision against approving this treatment.

On Friday, I had my fourth in a series of EGD procedures. You may recall my esophagus was opened to 14mm two weeks ago. This time the doctor was able to advance it to 15mm. I will have my fifth procedure in about a month. In the meantime, I’ll keep working my swallowing muscles and pray my salivary glands and tongue mobility continue to improve. Thank you again for your letters, emails, support and prayers. You are making a difference in my life.