Post # 12 – The X-ray

Dear Family & Friends,

In the last post we covered the Ultra Sound test. In this post we will talk about a more common test -- the X-ray, but do you know how many ways x-rays are used?

Sometimes my students will ask me why I have to go to the doctor all the time. They are so curious about every little thing :)  If only we could become like a little child... to have the faith of a child, to humble ourselves, to be submissive to the will of the Lord, to be committed to the Lord and keep His commandments, just to name a few.

Oh, and many of my students just finished up with soccer... they love to play the game, but a couple did not like playing against their friends – they just wanted to play together. My students teach me so much – it’s amazing!

X-rays: X-rays of the part of your body that might have cancer are sometimes the first tests done. A chest x-ray may also be done to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs. 
The x-rays that I have had done have been relatively painless for the most part.  Most of you are probably familiar with X-rays, but I wanted to include it just in case there may be one of you that hasn’t had this experience yet, or been with someone who has needed an x-ray for one thing or another. 

https://www.healthline.com/health/x-ray

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNA, COI on December 5, 2016 — Written by Brian Krans  

                      

What is an X-ray?

An X-ray is a common imaging test that’s been used for decades. It can help your doctor view the inside of your body without having to make an incision. This can help them diagnose, monitor, and treat many medical conditions.

Different types of X-rays are used for different purposes. For example, your doctor may order a mammogram to examine your breasts. Or they may order an X-ray with a barium enema to get a closer look at your gastrointestinal tract. 

I will be going in to get my mammogram and my bone scan in a few weeks or so. For me this is when they check to see if my cancer is still contained or if it has started to grow.

There are some risks involved in getting an X-ray. But for most people, the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor to learn more about what is right for you.

Why is an X-ray performed?

Your doctor may order an X-ray to:

·         examine an area where you’re experiencing pain or discomfort

·         monitor the progression of a diagnosed disease, such as osteoporosis

·         check how well a prescribed treatment is working

Conditions that may call for an X-ray include:

·         bone cancer

·         breast tumors

·         enlarged heart

·         blocked blood vessels

·         conditions affecting your lungs

·         digestive problems

• fractures
• infections
• osteoporosis
• arthritis
• tooth decay
• needing to retrieve swallowed items

 

I think it is really important to keep a journal of some kind. I like to flip through each new journal that I buy and write at the top of several random pages - "How have I seen the hand of the Lord in my life today?" This has helped me to remember to count my many blessings. Sometimes you don't think about the fact that the Lord is blessing you continually, each and every day!

How should you prepare for an X-ray?

X-rays are standard procedures. In most cases, you won’t need to take special steps to prepare for them. Depending on the area that your doctor and radiologist are examining, you may want to wear loose, comfortable clothing that you can easily move around in. They may ask you to change into a hospital gown for the test. They may also ask you to remove any jewelry or other metallic items from your body before your X-ray is taken.

Always tell your doctor or radiologist if you have metal implants from prior surgeries. These implants can block X-rays from passing through your body and creating a clear image.

In some cases, you may need to take a contrast material or “contrast dye” before your X-ray. This is a substance that will help improve the quality of the images. It may contain iodine or barium compounds. Depending on the reason for the X-ray, the contrast dye may be given in different ways, including:

·         via a liquid that you swallow

• injected into your body
• given to you as an enema before your test

If you’re having an X-ray to examine your gastrointestinal tract, your doctor may ask you to fast for a certain amount of time beforehand. You will need to avoid eating anything while you fast. You may also need to avoid or limit drinking certain liquids. In some cases, they may also ask you to take medications to clear out your bowels.

How is the procedure performed?

An X-ray technologist or radiologist can perform an X-ray in a hospital’s radiology department, a dentist’s office, or a clinic that specializes in diagnostic procedures.

Once you’re fully prepared, your X-ray technician or radiologist will tell you how to position your body to create clear images. They may ask you to lie, sit, or stand in several positions during the test. They may take images while you stand in front of a specialized plate that contains X-ray film or sensors. In some cases, they may also ask you to lie or sit on a specialized plate and move a large camera connected to a steel arm over your body to capture X-ray images.

It’s important to stay still while the images are being taken. This will provide the clearest images possible.

The test is finished as soon as your radiologist is satisfied with the images gathered.

What are the potential side effects of an X-Ray?

X-rays use small amounts of radiation to create images of your body. The level of radiation exposure is considered safe for most adults, but not for a developing baby. If you’re pregnant or believe you could be pregnant, tell your doctor before you have an X-ray. They may suggest a different imaging method, such as an MRI.

If you’re having an X-ray done to help diagnose or manage a painful condition, such as a broken bone, you may experience pain or discomfort during the test. You will need to hold your body in certain positions while the images are being taken. This may cause you pain or discomfort. Your doctor may recommend taking pain medicine beforehand.

If you ingest a contrast material before your X-ray, it may cause side effects. These include:

·         hives

·         itching

·         nausea

·         lightheadedness

·         a metallic taste in your mouth

In very rare cases, the dye can cause a severe reaction, such as anaphylactic shock, very low blood pressure, or cardiac arrest. If you suspect you’re having a severe reaction, contact your doctor immediately.

What happens after an X-ray?

After your X-ray images have been collected, you can change back into your regular clothes. Depending on your condition, your doctor may advise you to go about your normal activities or rest while you’re waiting for your results. Your results may be available on the same day as your procedure, or later.

Your doctor will review your X-rays and the report from the radiologist to determine how to proceed. Depending on your results, they may order additional tests to develop an accurate diagnosis. For example, they may order additional imaging scans, blood tests, or other diagnostic measures. They may also prescribe a course of treatment.

Ask your doctor for more information about your specific condition, diagnosis, and treatment options.

I bet most of you probably are already familiar with x-rays, but they may play an important role in your treatment plan, (or that of a friend or loved one) so I thought I would include some information on them as well, but gee I think it may take us a few more posts to get all these tests fairly well covered. 

on another note: I have been planning a graduation for my preschoolers. I enlisted the help of a dear friend and her daughter to make up the Y-ties for each of my students. that takes a load off my shoulders and I am so grateful for all of their help these past few years -- They are amazing!!!  

For those of you planning a graduation party or planning to attend a graduation and a party -- either as a guest or as a student-- you rock! Both roles take commitment, focus, faith, perseverance, study and responsibility -- just to name a few. Those are a few things that you need to help you through your cancer diagnosis and what follows as well! Have a great day! Remember, that faith is the first principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ. So hang onto your faith as small as a mustard seed, nourish and strengthen it, help it to grow!!! And grow!!!! And Grow!!!

Post # 11 – A Few Tests & Such

Dear Family & friends,

So far, I have told you about my biopsy, diagnosis, and the surgical insertion of my chemo port. the next step might be about my treatment plan... but...

Just so you can understand that having cancer is not my life, but only a part of my life. I have also been trying to get everything made for my little preschoolers to graduate in a few weeks:) they are all so excited to 'graduate into kindergarten.' they still have not grasped the concept of next year being after summer. after we have our graduation ceremony they will think it is time to move into the next age group:)


The following are some of the tests that have been performed, for those of you who aren’t aware of what they are these descriptions come direct from the American Cancer Society website:

Lab tests: Blood and urine tests can be used to help find some types of cancer. They can also be used to find out how well your body is working. I have had so many blood tests that I felt like a pin cushion in the beginning – my veins are hard to find and when they find them, they roll away and hide, so I have been poked in so many places☹

Ultrasound: For this test, a small wand is moved around on your skin. It gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off tissues. The echoes are made into a picture on a computer screen. 
This test, I initially associated with being pregnant and looking at the baby in the womb, but not so, it may be the same type of test but be aware that it can be a little painful – especially when you don’t have enough -- what should I call it -- 'fatty tissue' to cushion the pushing and prodding they have to do to get the best pictures.

What Is an Ultrasound?

·      Many people who hear the term "ultrasound" likely picture a pregnant woman in her doctor's office getting a sneak peek of the baby growing inside her womb -- perhaps even finding out whether she should paint the nursery pink or blue. But while fetal imaging is one of the most common uses of ultrasounds, this diagnostic tool actually has many applications.

How Ultrasound Imaging Works

Ultrasound, also called sonography, uses sound waves to develop ultrasound images of what's going on inside the body. An instrument called a transducer emits high-frequency sound, inaudible to human ears, and then records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back to determine the size, shape, and consistency of soft tissues and organs.
This information is relayed in real time to produce images on a computer screen. Ultrasound technicians, or sonographers, have special training in how to perform the test. Then a radiologist or your doctor will interpret the ultrasound images. This technology can help diagnose and treat certain conditions.

Uses of Ultrasound Tests

Ultrasound imaging has many uses in medicine, from confirming and dating a pregnancy to diagnosing certain conditions and guiding doctors through precise medical procedures.
Pregnancy. Ultrasound images have many uses during pregnancy. Early on, they may be used to determine due dates, reveal the presence of twins or other multiples, and rule out ectopic pregnancies. They also are valuable screening tools in helping to detect potential problems, including some birth defects, placental issues, breech positioning, and others. Many expectant parents look forward to learning the sex of their babies via ultrasound midway through a pregnancy. And later in pregnancy, doctors can even use ultrasounds to estimate how large a baby is just before delivery.
Diagnostics. Doctors employ ultrasound imaging in diagnosing a wide variety of conditions affecting the organs and soft tissues of the body, including the heart and blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, eyes, thyroid, and testicles. Ultrasounds do have some diagnostic limitations, however; sound waves do not transmit well through dense bone or parts of the body that may hold air or gas, such as the bowel.

 Use during medical procedures. Ultrasound imaging can help doctors during procedures such as needle biopsies, which require the doctor to remove tissue from a very precise area inside the body for testing in a lab.

Therapeutic applications. Ultrasounds sometimes are used to detect and treat soft-tissue injuries.

Types of Ultrasound

Most ultrasounds are done using a transducer on the surface of the skin. Sometimes, however, doctors and technicians can get a better diagnostic image by inserting a special transducer into one of the body's natural openings:

• In a transvaginal ultrasound, a transducer wand is placed in a woman’s vagina to get better images of her uterus and ovaries.
• A transrectal ultrasound is sometimes used in the diagnosis of prostate conditions.
• A transesophageal echocardiogram uses the transducer probe in the esophagus so that the sonographer can obtain clearer images of the heart.

Additionally, ultrasound technology has advanced to allow for different types of imaging:

• Doppler is a special type of ultrasound that creates images of blood flow through vessels.
• Bone sonography helps doctors diagnose osteoporosis.
• Echocardiograms are used to view the heart.
• 3D imaging adds another dimension to the ultrasound image, creating three-dimensional interpretations rather than the flat two-dimensional images that are made with traditional ultrasound.
• 4D ultrasounds show 3D images in motion.

Benefits of Ultrasound

Ultrasounds offer many advantages:

• They are generally painless and do not require needles, injections, or incisions.
• Patients aren't exposed to ionizing radiation, making the procedure safer than diagnostic techniques such as X-rays and CT scans. In fact, there are no known harmful effects when used as directed by your health care provider.
• Ultrasound captures images of soft tissues that don't show up well on X-rays.
• Ultrasounds are widely accessible and less expensive than other methods.

What to Expect During an Ultrasound

Depending on the type of ultrasound test you are having, your doctor may offer special instructions, such as not eating or drinking anything for a number of hours before the test. Or you may be advised to drink several glasses of water in the time leading up to the test and refrain from using the bathroom to ensure that your bladder is full.

You should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove or partially remove. In some cases, you may need to disrobe or wear a gown, but often an ultrasound technician can easily access the area of the body that is being screened without your having to take off your clothes.

The technician will apply a water-based gel to the area. This is so the transducer can easily glide across your skin without any air in between. He or she may be looking for specific markers and may make measurements or notes while the test is in progress.

A typical ultrasound takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Ultrasounds usually are not uncomfortable, and you are awake and alert during the procedure. Often a technician will discuss what he or she is seeing during the test, but in some instances, you may need to wait to discuss the findings with your doctor.

I think we have covered enough for today. in the next post we will cover some more of the tests that I have received since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have tried in sharing these things with you, in hopes that the information is such that you will become familiar with these tests, what they are, and why they may be important in your care and treatment or that of a friend or family member. please do let me know if there is a better way to get this information out there -- across in a friendly and understanding way for you, my readers. 

 If you want more information on these or other tests you can checkout their website:

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests.html

Post # 10 – So Many Questions

Dear Family & Friends,

 I have been thinking a lot about when a person gets a diagnosis of one type of cancer or another and they usually have so many questions.  It can be very overwhelming, confusing, and simply put – your mind can be a jumbled mess. First of all you want to know where to find good , trustworthy information. A good place in the American Cancer Society. 

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/questions-people-ask-about-cancer.html

It’s good to make a list of questions to ask your doctors to make sure that you are understanding your diagnosis as well as the treatment plan that the doctors have come up with to either shrink the mass, or kill the cancerous cells, or prevent the growth of those cancerous cells. 

I thought it might be good to review some of the basics about cancer with you for those of you who are not as familiar with it as some of us are. The following information comes from the American Cancer Society website:

What is cancer?   --  Cancer can start any place in the body. It starts when cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for the body to work the way it should.

Cancer can spread from where it started to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in the lung can sometimes travel to the brain and grow there. When cancer cells do this, it’s called metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis). To doctors, the cancer cells in the brain look just like the ones from the lung.

Cancer is always named for the place where it starts. So when lung cancer spreads to the brain (or any other place), it’s still called lung cancer. It’s not called brain cancer unless it starts from cells in the brain.

Are there different kinds of cancer?  --  There are many types of cancer. Cancer can start in any part of the body. It can start in the lungs, the breast, the colon, or even in the blood.

Your doctor can tell you more about the type you have.

Questions to ask the doctor

v  What tests will I need to have?

Ø  Who will do these tests? 

Ø  When will they be done?

v  Who can explain them to me?

Ø  How and when will I get the results?

v  Who will explain the results to me? 

Ø  What do I need to do next?

v  Do you know the stage of the cancer?

If you have cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging. Your doctor will want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what type of treatment is best for you.

The stage describes how much the cancer has grown in the area where it started. It also tells if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

Your cancer may be stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means a more serious cancer that has spread from where it first started.

v  If not, how and when will you find out the stage of the cancer?

v  Would you explain to me what the stage means in my case?

v  Based on the stage of the cancer, how long do you think I’ll live?

v  What will happen next?

v  Am I going to die?

It’s normal to think about dying if you’ve just been told you have cancer. You may feel better knowing that the outlook for many people diagnosed with cancer is very good. Many people still believe that “cancer = death.” But the fact is that most cancers can be treated. There are millions of people living in the United States today who have or had cancer.

The survival rate among different cancers varies greatly, so you’ll want to look at how well treatment works for your type of cancer. Numbers can give you an overall picture, but keep in mind that every person is unique. Statistics can’t predict exactly what will happen to you. Talk with your cancer care team if you have questions about your own chances of a cure, or how long you might survive your cancer. They know your situation best.

v  What type of treatment will I need?

v  What are the side effects of the drugs you will be using?

The main types of treatment for cancer are::

• Surgery (SUR-jur-ee) -- Surgery is often used to take out the tumor and a margin or edge of the healthy tissue around it. The type of surgery done depends on where the tumor is. Ask your doctor if you will need surgery, what kind of surgery you will have, and what to expect.

Side effects of surgery -- Any type of surgery can have risks and side effects. Ask the doctor what you can expect. If you have problems, let your doctors know. Doctors who treat cancer should be able to help you with any problems that come up.

• Radiation (RAY-dee-A-shun) treatments -- Radiation uses high-energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells. It may be used along with other treatments like surgery or chemo to treat some cancers. Sometimes radiation alone can kill the cancer cells. Radiation can also be used to help treat symptoms like pain and swelling if the cancer has spread.

Radiation can be aimed at the tumor from a machine outside the body. This is called external beam radiation. This is the type of radiation that I received, but we’ll visit more about this in a later post😊

Radiation can also be given by putting a small source of radiation in or near the tumor. This is called brachytherapy (BRAKE-ee-THAIR-uh-pee).

Sometimes, both types of radiation are used.

Side effects of radiation treatments -- If your doctor suggests radiation treatment, talk about what side effects might happen. Side effects depend on the type of radiation that’s used and the area being treated. Common side effects of radiation are: ** Skin changes where the radiation is given * *Feeling very tired

Most side effects get better after treatment ends. Some might last longer. Talk to your cancer care team about what you can expect during and after treatment.

• Chemotherapy (KEY-mo-THAIR-uh-pee) -- Chemo (KEY-mo) is the short word for chemotherapy, the use of drugs to fight cancer. The drugs are often given through a needle into a vein. They can also be given as shots or pills. These drugs go into the blood and spread through the body.

Chemo is often given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment is followed by a break. Most of the time, 2 or more chemo drugs are given.

Side effects of chemo -- Chemo can make you feel very tired, sick to your stomach, and cause your hair to fall out. Some chemo drugs can have other side effects. But these problems go away after treatment ends. There are ways to treat most chemo side effects. If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help.

I do not have experience with the following, but I thought I would include the information. Just in case someone out there needs it.

• Targeted drugs 

Targeted drugs are made to work mostly on the changes in cells that make them cancer. These drugs affect mainly cancer cells and not normal cells in the body. They may work even if other treatment doesn’t. They may be given alone or along with chemo.

Side effects of targeted drugs -- Side effects depend on which drug is used. These drugs often make you feel sick to your stomach and might cause chills, fever, rashes, and headaches. Some cause low blood counts and heart and liver problems. Side effects often go away after treatment ends.

There are ways to treat most of the side effects caused by targeted drugs. If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help.

• Immunotherapy (IM-yuh-no-THAIR-uh-pee) drugs

These treatments help the body’s own immune system fight the cancer. Immune treatments can be very helpful in treating some types of cancer. These treatments are most often given through a needle into a vein.

Side effects of immune therapy drugs -- Side effects depend on which drug is used. Some might cause a fever or make you feel sick. Rarely, these drugs can cause more serious side effects. If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help.

Often more than one kind of treatment is used. The treatment plan that’s best for you will depend on:

• The exact type of cancer ** The stage and grade of the cancer ** Where the cancer is
• The chance that a type of treatment will cure the cancer or help in some way
• Your age and overall health
• Your feelings about the treatment and the side effects that come with it

Clinical trials -- Clinical trials are research studies that test new drugs or other treatments in people. They compare standard treatments with others that may be better.

If you would like to be in a clinical trial, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital takes part in clinical trials.

Clinical trials are one way to get the newest cancer treatment. They are the best way for doctors to find better ways to treat cancer. If your doctor can find one that’s studying the kind of cancer you have, it’s up to you whether to take part. And if you do sign up for a clinical trial, you can always stop at any time.

Questions to ask the doctor

• Will I need to see other doctors?
• What treatment do you think is best for me?
• What's the goal of this treatment? Do you think it could cure the cancer?
• Will treatment include surgery? If so, who will do the surgery?
• What will the surgery be like?
• How will my body look and work after surgery?
• Will I need other types of treatment, too?
• What will these treatments be like?
• What's the goal of these treatments?
• What side effects could I have from these treatments?
• What can I do about side effects that I might have?
• Will I be able to exercise during treatment?
• Will I be able to work during treatment?
• Will I be able to have children after treatment?
• Is there a clinical trial that might be right for me?
• What about vitamins or diets that friends tell me about? How will I know if they are safe?
• How soon do I need to start treatment?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• Is there anything I can do to help the treatment work better?
• What's the next step?

What will happen after treatment? -- You’ll be glad when treatment is over. But it’s hard not to worry about cancer coming back. Even when cancer never comes back, people still worry about it. For years after treatment ends, you will see your cancer doctor. At first, your visits may be every few months. Then, the longer you’re cancer-free, the less often the visits are needed.

Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits. Your doctors will ask about symptoms, do physical exams, and may do tests to see if the cancer has come back. Make sure that you tell your doctor about your symptoms, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem – it could be very important!! And it’s better to be on the safe side.

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or talk to your doctor to find out what you can do to feel better.

You can’t change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life – making healthy choices and feeling as good as you can. 


You can also make sure that you have a positive attitude and rely fully on your Heavenly Father to help you through this journey that you must go through either yourself or with someone you love. You will also need to have a positive outlook and rely fully upon your Heavenly Father if you are a part of a support team for someone who is going through a cancer journey.

So, until my next Post, keep your faith, stay positive, and remember you can do all things through the Lord which strengthens you. 

Phillipians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Just keep putting your trust in the Lord. Let Him be your strength!!!

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2018/06/staying-centered-in-christ-when-the-world-is-trying-to-knock-you-off-balance?cid=HP_FR-18-5-2018_dPTH_fMLIB_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng