Post # 17 – Amidst the fog and cloudiness

Dear Family & Friends,

I hope you are all making it a great week! I know that sometimes we are going from day to day, sometimes hour by hour, and sometimes even minute by minute – especially if you are having migraine days!! I have had so many of those throughout my life that it became the norm for me, on those days I knew that the pain was inevitable. I also knew that I had no choice in the matter because sometimes the medication the doctors had given me worked or sort of, but most times it didn’t, however I still had to work and do my job to the best of my ability each day. On those days, you had to choose to make them great days!!

I guess, just as I had to make changes in my daily routine when I had ‘my migraine days’, and the things that I have had to change in my life since I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, just to get through the day, the hour or the minute. I am sure that each of you have experienced times in your life when something beyond your control has either helped or forced you to make a change or two (or more) in your life, so that you too, could make it through the day doing things to the best of your ability.

Sometimes, like when I had my migraine headaches that would last for several days and nights with little to no relief it certainly was a lot harder to get through each day, but when you have to support your family – what else can you do, but get through the day, the very best that you can, right? So, some changes that I had to make – was to wear dark glasses; use a lot of ice packs throughout the day when I could, but this was not always an option when I was at work; I needed to change my lesson plans to accommodate a quiet atmosphere and do some ‘low-key’ things – those things that were quiet, but required me to focus on what was at hand so that I was distracted from focusing on my pain, just to name a few. Is any of this making sense or are you all in total confusion already?

Along with my diagnosis with cancer there were some major changes that I have needed to make in my daily routine, just to make my day more ‘normal’ or more like it used to be before the diagnosis. For example: my new normal kind of looks like this – I do not have the energy that I need to get through most days, so I need to plan my day with rest or down times throughout; I am not hungry or do not have an appetite, and even when I am hungry, my favorite foods do not taste the same – sometimes they do not taste good at all. I eat, because I know I need to, to keep up my strength...

Another thing that has changed -- I would not dare to plan my day without making sure that a bathroom is close enough to get to rather quickly if the need arises – especially on my chemo therapy weeks, as you never know just how quickly those drugs will find their exit through your body (sorry if that was too much information, but facts are what they are!); some days my brain is in ‘chemo brain’ mode, which makes it hard to focus on things – my brain is sort of mush and not very helpful☹ Oh, wait! That is how I always am, right? 😊 There’s a smile for you, just in case you need one to help you through your day!

Oh, I forgot, some of you may not know or have never before heard of the term ‘chemo brain’ – it really is a thing. When I first heard of it, I wasn’t sure that it wasn’t just referring only to those who had some form of cancer in the brain, which I am so grateful that I do not have.  The Mayo Clinic says the following: 

Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur after cancer treatment. ... Though chemo brain is a widely used term, it's misleading. It's unlikely that chemotherapy is the sole cause of concentration and memory problems in cancer survivors If you want to learn more you can go here:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060

I found the following from the American Cancer Society website:

Chemo Brain

This information is about adults with cancer. To learn more about the effects of cancer treatments in children (including brain problems), see Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Late Effects of Cancer Treatment.

For years people with cancer have worried about, joked about, and been frustrated by the mental cloudiness they sometimes notice before, during, and after cancer treatment. Even though its exact cause isn’t known, and it can happen at any time when you have cancer, this mental fog is commonly called chemo brain.

The sometimes vague yet distressing mental changes cancer patients notice are real, not imagined. They might last a short time, or they might go on for years. These changes can make people unable to go back to their school, work, or social activities, or make it so that it takes a lot of mental effort to do so. Chemo brain affects everyday life for many people with cancer.

What is chemo brain?

Here are just a few examples of what patients call chemo brain:

• Forgetting things that they usually have no trouble recalling (memory lapses)
• Trouble concentrating (they can’t focus on what they’re doing, have a short attention span, may “space out”)
• Trouble remembering details like names, dates, and sometimes larger events
• Trouble multi-tasking, like answering the phone while cooking, without losing track of one task (they’re less able to do more than one thing at a time)
• Taking longer to finish things (disorganized, slower thinking and processing)
• Trouble remembering common words (unable to find the right words to finish a sentence)

Doctors and researchers call chemo brain many things, such as cancer treatment-related cognitive impairment, cancer-therapy associated cognitive change, or post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment. Most define it as a decrease in mental “sharpness” – being unable to remember certain things and having trouble finishing tasks or learning new skills

How long chemo brain lasts is a major factor in how much it affects a person’s life. When it starts, how long it lasts, and how much trouble it causes can vary a lot.

For most people, brain effects happen quickly and only last a short time. Others have long-term mental changes. Usually the changes that patients notice are very subtle, and others around them might not even notice any changes at all. Still, the people who are having problems are well aware of the differences in their thinking. Many people don’t tell their cancer care team about this problem until it affects their everyday life.

What causes chemo brain?

Beyond the chemo brain symptoms that start during and just after treatment, there are some cases where brain symptoms start and even get worse after treatment is over. Many cancer treatments, including certain kinds of chemo and radiation, can cause short-term, long-term, and delayed problems.

Studies suggest that there may be more than one cause of chemo brain, especially for the short-term symptoms. Some people with cancer have very real brain problems even though they haven’t had chemo. Still others notice problems when getting hormone treatments, such as those used to treat breast or prostate cancers. For some, problems start after surgery. Along with chemo, many different things can worsen brain function.

For instance, brain function problems could be caused or worsened by any one or any combination of these factors:

• The cancer itself
• Other drugs used as part of treatment, such as steroids, anti-nausea, or pain medicines
• Surgery and the drugs used during surgery (anesthesia)
• Low blood counts
• Sleep problems
• Infection
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Hormone changes or hormone treatments
• Other illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Patient age
• Depression
• Stress, anxiety, worry, or other emotional pressure

Most of these cause short-term problems, and get better as the underlying problem is treated or goes away. A few, such as depression, can cause long-lasting brain problems unless the cause is treated.

What can you do to manage chemo brain?

Day-to-day coping

Experts have been studying memory for a long time. There are many things that you can do to help you sharpen your mental abilities and manage chemo brain. Some examples are:

• Use a detailed daily planner or your smart phone. Keeping everything in one place makes it easier to find the reminders you may need. You might want to keep track of appointments and schedules, “to do” lists, important dates, websites, phone numbers and addresses, meeting notes, and even movies you’d like to see or books you’d like to read.
• Exercise your brain. Take a class, do word puzzles, or learn a new language.
• Get enough rest and sleep.
• Move your body. Regular physical activity is not only good for your body, but also improves your mood, makes you feel more alert, and decreases tiredness (fatigue).
• Eat veggies. Studies have shown that eating more vegetables is linked to keeping brain power as people age.
• Set up and follow routines. Try to keep the same daily schedule.
• Pick a certain place for commonly lost objects (like keys) and put them there each time.
• Don’t try to multi-task. Focus on one thing at a time.
• Ask for help when you need it. Friends and loved ones can help with daily tasks to cut down on distractions and help you save mental energy.
• Track your memory problems. Keep a diary of when you notice problems and what’s going on at the time. Medicines taken, time of day, and the situation you’re in might help you figure out what affects your memory. Keeping track of when the problems are most noticeable can also help you prepare. You’ll know to avoid planning important conversations or appointments during those times. This record will also be useful when you talk with your doctor about these problems.
• Try not to focus on how much these symptoms bother you. Accepting the problem will help you deal with it. As many patients have noted, being able to laugh about things you can’t control can help you cope. And remember, you probably notice your problems much more than others do. Sometimes we all have to laugh about forgetting to take the grocery list with us to the store

Tell others

Another thing you can do to better manage chemo brain is tell family, friends, and your cancer care team about it. Let them know what you’re going through. You may feel relieved once you tell people about the problems you sometimes have with your memory or thinking.

You’re not stupid or crazy – chemo brain is a side effect you can learn to manage. Even though this isn’t a change that’s easy to see, like hair loss or skin changes, your family and friends might have noticed some things and may even have some helpful suggestions. For instance, your partner might notice that when you’re rushed, you have more trouble finding things.

Tell your friends and family members what they can do to help. Their support and understanding can help you relax and make it easier for you to focus and process information.

Talk with your doctor or cancer care team

If brain problems cause trouble at work, talk with your doctor to try and pinpoint what’s causing your brain fog and what can be done about it. This is especially important for people with chemo brain that lasts more than a year and keeps causing trouble in their daily lives.

It helps a lot if you have a diary or log of the situations you have trouble with. It also helps to know some of the things that make the problem worse or better. For instance, are they worse in the morning or evening? Do you have more trouble when you are hungry or tired? Does it help to nap, walk, or have a snack? Your doctor will want to know when the problems started and how they affect your daily life.

• Write down questions about the problems you have. Take them to your appointment along with your memory tracking log to talk over with your doctor. Ask what may be causing the problems, and find out if there’s anything the doctor can offer to help you.
• Bring a list of all the medicines you take, including herbs, vitamins, supplements, and those you take on an “as needed” basis.
• Take a friend or family member with you to help you keep track of what’s said during the visit. They can also describe the changes they see if the doctor wants a different viewpoint of how your brain problems are affecting you.
• If your memory and thinking problems keep causing trouble in your daily life, ask your doctor if you might be helped by a specialist such as a neuropsychologist or a speech language pathologist. These professionals can test you and may recommend ways to help you better handle the problems. (You may hear this called cognitive rehabilitation.)

You may need to visit a larger hospital or cancer care center to find experts on testing brain function, including chemo brain. Ask if you can get a referral to one of these specialists who can help you learn the scope of your problem and work with you on ways to manage it. You’ll want to find out what your insurance will cover before you start.

Questions to ask your doctor

These are just some of the questions you may want to ask your doctor about chemo brain.

• Are there other medical problems that could be causing my symptoms?
• Is there treatment for my symptoms?
• What can I do to manage chemo brain?
• Is there anything I can do to help prevent chemo brain?
• Should I see a specialist? Can you recommend one?

Can chemo brain be prevented?

So far, there is no known way to prevent chemo brain. For some people, treating their cancer will mean trouble with thinking, memory, planning, and finding the right words.

The causes of brain problems related to cancer and its treatment are still being studied. Chemo brain seems to happen more often with high doses of chemo and is more likely if the brain is also treated with radiation. But because chemo brain is usually mild and most often goes away in time, chemo that’s proven to work against the cancer should not be changed to try to prevent this side effect.

Wow! So, I wasn’t muddled enough before my diagnosis – right!! I don’t know if I will ever be without chemo brain, since I will be on some form of chemo for the rest of my life. That’s ok though, my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ will be there for me to fill in the gaps so that I will be able to manage each day in the best way possible😊 isn’t it wonderful to have this knowledge – that They are there for each of us, whenever we are in need. As long as we do the very best we can and keep striving to become the person that our Heavenly Father knows that we can become and truly wants that for each of us, we can make it through these fires, through the fog and the cloudiness here during our mortal life.

Remember, never give up hope, and as Poppy (on the movie Trolls) and my good friend Linda says, whenever we slip and fall due to things out of our control or due to mistake and sins --- “get back up again!!” Know that you are a child of God and that He will never leave you alone to go through these fires or through the fog and cloudiness of our life’s experiences. Please remember too – what my mother told me, ‘The Lord will never give you more than you can handle in this life,” but that alone isn’t enough – He will never give you more than you can handle, with His help!! So be sure that you call on Him, as He is always listening, waiting for us to call out for Him, to reach up for Him, to embrace His love, acknowledge His Mercy, His forgiveness, and so much more! if you want to understand more about God' love for each of you, follow the link below:

https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/gods-love

Post # 16 – Back to the Beginning

Dear Family & Friends,

I have been thinking about what rambling means. I guess I did not realize that it had so many meanings. When I wrote my first post and needed to have a name for my blog, I thought to myself, ‘oh, I am just rambling here, what good can it be to someone else?’  And so, Royal’s Ramblings came to life😊

I thought that I was kind of going from thought to thought, and I was not sure if any one would be able to make heads or tails of it. I truly do hope and pray that this is not the case and that my writing about my life experiences might be beneficial to you all in some wonderful way. I found this picture that was underneath a definition of rambling. I thought I would share it with you.

So now that this is my sixteenth post, I am going back to the beginnings of my post, and here are a few definitions I found of rambling: aimlessly wandering; spread out irregularly in various directions; straying from one subject to another; (this one I do really well, don’t you think? I do not know if that is a good thing or not. Sometimes I am talking to someone and I simply lose my train of thought – it becomes completely derailed!) traveling from place to place; too long and confused; (Probably each of my original posts before they were published were too long and maybe a little confusing as well) a form of walking that generally takes place in the countryside; (since I hurt my left leg a few years back most of my ‘walking’ takes place in my mind because it has been too painful to walk like other people do) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects-- ( I a sure you have noticed this one in my writings); spreading out in different directions; often or habitually roaming; wandering; ( my mind is habitually  flitting from one subject to another – if you know me – you know this to be true😊)  

Geez, I had to take a breath, there are a lot of wys to define rambling, so here comes 'the rest of the story!' 

extended over an irregular area; sprawling; lengthy and digressive; straggling or sprawling haphazardly; unplanned; lacking a coherent plan-- ( I struggle a bit with this one – I do plan, but my plans change frequently sometimes); diffuse and disconnected;  nomadic; wandering; spreading out in different directions; “sprawling handwriting”-- (this I do have – it comes with the neuropathy in my hands, I am so grateful for the computer!!); “straggling branches”; “straggly hair”--(this I have too, since my hair grew back in it is very straggly—but I am so grateful just to have hair, that most days I just don’t care that it is a bit straggly); not neat and tidy; ( so, I will admit that I am not the most neat or tidy person, but to be honest – if I don’t have things close by, out where I can see them, they don’t get done! so, things in my life are a bit cluttered from time to time – and sometimes a long time, depending on the project that needs doing)  indirect – extended senses; “sometimes and indirect path saves time”; marked by or given to digression!

Now, do any of those definitions sound like my writings? That’s quite ok, I agree that most of those definitions do sound like me in one form or another, but with the help of good friends and my granddaughters – by the time my ramblings are posted, they make good sense and are totally worth your reading each one! Maybe it’s quotes like this one that will keep you coming back!!!

 

I love this quote because sometimes we just do not feel like we deserve to be loved by anyone or anything – your pets give you unconditional love too! But, being human we all need to love and be loved, and this quote just reminds us that our Heavenly Father’s love is always there for us – each one of us!! I believe that it is important for us to know and to believe this. As sometimes there is no one else there for us at certain times in our lives.

Then, if you haven’t ever felt this way, (that is a great blessing for you!!!) you might want to look all around you because I am sure that there is someone very close to you or close by that is in need. Someone that needs to know that they are a child of a Heavenly Father who loves them so very much that He sent His Only Begotten Son, to come to earth – to give His life so that we might live again. He suffered so much for each of us – pain and anguish all manner of disease, sickness, emotional trauma, physical ailments … He suffered so much it is incomprehensible to me.

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-january-2017/2017-01-34-jesus-loves-me-eng.pdf

https://www.lds.org/friend/2010/01/jehovah-and-the-wonderful-plan-of-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-march-2014/2014-03-27-why-am-i-here-on-earth-eng.pdf

In looking back over my life, I have seen the hand of the Lord there in so many ways throughout my life thus far and I have taken to try to be more cognizant of His hand in my life each day here lately, especially since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Knowing that each day could easily be your last, you are more often ready to acknowledge all the blessings that the Lord has continually blessed you with on a regular basis. Whereas before you may only recognize those blessings when things in your life are going smoothly.

 I guess what I am trying to say is, that we should look for His hand in our life now!! And be sure to look more closely if you can’t seem to find many – like, ah, you know, – when the “odds” are “stacked” against you. Then as you recognize the ways He has blessed you, be sure that you give your thanks and your gratitude to Him for all that He does for you and those that you love!!! Count your blessings, name them one by one....Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Oh, and don't forget to write those blessings down in a journal so that when things get rough -- as you know they will, you can look back and read about how the Lord has blessed you continually throughout your life and it might help to lift you up out of a deep abyss, to know that the Lord is always only just a prayer away!

Well, everybody, since I have gone backwards again and probably have repeated myself – repeatedly – (hopefully what I have repeated has been worth the second – or third, or fourth, or… whatever number read) anyway, I did have a stroke in my early twenties and I have struggled since with my memory, so please do forgive me if you have heard something before, I truly do not want to sound like a broken record! I really don’t! (sorry for those of you that are too young to know what a record is☹)

I really have been rambling today, I guess in all my ramblings I want you to know that our lives are not perfectly planned, but our Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us. We need to learn of His plan and embrace it, follow it, stay on the right path. And when we get off track, we need to look back to Him – refocus our life on Christ and move on – back on the right path to our heavenly home. There is a way back to our heavenly home – and that is our earthly goal!!!

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-february-2014/2014-02-28-heavenly-father-has-a-plan-for-his-children-

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-november-2016/2016-11-05-your-path-to-happiness-eng.pdf

The Great Plan of Happiness

By Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 (Adapted from an October 1993 conference address. See Ensign, November 1993, pages 72–75.)

Questions like “Where did we come from?” “Why are we here?” and “Where are we going?” are answered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prophets have called it the Plan of Salvation and “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). Through inspiration we can understand this road map of eternity and use it to guide our path in this life.

The gospel teaches us that we are the spirit children of heavenly parents. Before our mortal birth, we lived as the sons and daughters of the Eternal Father. We were placed here on earth to work toward eternal life. These truths give us a unique perspective and different values to guide our decisions from those who doubt the existence of God and believe that life is not part of an eternal plan.

Our understanding of life begins with a council in heaven. There the spirit children of God were taught his eternal plan, the “great plan of happiness,” as Alma called it. We had progressed as far as we could without a physical body. To realize a fulness of joy, we had to prove our willingness to keep the commandments of God in a circumstance where we had no memory of what took place before our birth on earth.

In our lives here on earth, we would become subject to death, and we would be soiled by sin. To reclaim us from death and sin, our Heavenly Father’s plan provided us a Savior, whose atonement would redeem all from death and pay the price necessary for us all to be forgiven of our sins if we keep his commandments and repent of our sins.

When we understand the Plan of Salvation, we also understand the purpose and effect of the commandments God has given his children. He teaches us correct principles and invites us to govern ourselves. We do this by the choices we make.

We who know God’s plan and have covenanted, or promised, to participate in it must desire to do what is right, and we must do all that we can all our lives. When we have done all that we can, we can rely on God’s promised mercy.

I know that it is not easy to keep our focus on Christ, the world has a way of enveloping us and swaying us this way and that. We need to be like the trees that are well rooted and sway with the wind. They bend but they do not break, when the great winds come and their roots keep them in their place – well-grounded and secure. We need to be well grounded as well, our foundation needs to be built upon our Savior, Jesus Christ! The quote above by President Russell M. Nelson – our Prophet, says it best.

“It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.”

I too, struggle to look unto Him in every thought, but I try to do better every day. I do know that when I do my fears and my doubts disappear and I am again at peace within. I think this is especially important when we are facing any type of trial or tribulation, sickness or disease – we need the peace that only the Lord can give to us! Remember, He loves us too much to leave us alone. No matter what we are facing He is always with us, we only need to reach out for His hand and let Him lift us up.

In the lifting, it isn’t always a cure – ok you are going to get well… ah… now! But even if you are not cured in this life time, you will be raised to your perfect frame in the next life, not even a hair of your head will be missing – WOW! Amazing, right? 

When we follow His plan, and keep His commandments, repent of our sins and of any wrong doings receive a remission of our sins, we are baptized and then we can receive the Holy Ghost. When we keep our covenants with Him we are eligible to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us always, every day, all day – to help us and guide us along our way. And each time we make a mistake or sin, we have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of those mistakes and sins and begin again! And Again! And Again! AND AGAIN!!

If you want to learn more about our Heavenly Father’s plan of Happiness, you can go here: https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation

Post # 15 – The Pet Scan

Dear Family and Friends, 

I am sorry about taking so long to get my posts published, sometimes I have them written and ready to post -- and then life happens. one thing or another at work or home or at church and I get distracted. But here lately I have been resting a lot to recover from my latest surgery. It seems like all I do is physical therapy -- then I rest! I work for half a day -- then I rest! I do my exercises -- then I rest! 

I try to remember that I did just have major surgery and it takes time for my body to heal and with cancer, it takes a bit longer to heal that if I did not have the cancer at all, but it is what it is -- so like everyone else, I pray and ask my Heavenly Father for the strength that I need to make it through each day and I do the best that I can to be a good example to all those that are around me:) 

I have children around me all day - every day, which I am grateful for, they help me stay positive about life. After all, the children are our future. Whatever we teach them will stay with them throughout their lives, whether it is something positive or negative that we teach them. And oft times they are learning even when we are not intentionally teaching them -- they are still learning and they learn so much from our example. If we are negative and depressed about things in life that is what they will learn,but if we are positive and excited about things in life then they will be as well:) 

So, remember to be the best example that you can be for those around you, especially if those around you are children!! They are always watching you, they are always learning from you, good or bad -- they are always learning, so let's do some intentional teaching shall we? 


In this post we will learn about the PET scan - This test is a lot like the MRI and CT scans in that they are all in a tunnel-like machine that is very hard for people who are claustrophobic, but with the help of Priesthood blessings and a lot of prayers they are do-able😊

Positron emission tomography scan (PET scan)

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear imaging technique that creates detailed, computerized pictures of organs and tissues inside the body.

A PET scan reveals how the body is functioning and uncovers areas of abnormal metabolic activity.

During a PET scan, the patient is first injected with a glucose (sugar) solution that contains a very small amount of radioactive material. The substance is absorbed by the particular organs or tissues being examined. The patient rests on a table and slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner. The PET scanner is then able to "see" damaged or cancerous cells where the glucose is being taken up (cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells) and the rate at which the tumor is using the glucose (which can help determine the tumor grade). The procedure is painless and varies in length, depending on the part of the body that is being evaluated.

A PET scan can be used to detect cancerous tissues and cells in the body that may not always be found through computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/pet-scan

PET scan: PET scans use a kind of sugar that can be seen inside your body with a special camera. If there is cancer, this sugar shows up as “hot spots” where the cancer is found. This test can help show if the cancer has spread.
https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/pet-ct-scan/

You can find more articles at the addresses below that are pretty specific in explaining about the PET Scan. It's worth  reading if you want more information.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/pet

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154877.php

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What is Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Scanning?

Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a type of nuclear medicine imaging.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and determine the severity of or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders and other abnormalities within the body. Because nuclear medicine procedures are able to pinpoint molecular activity within the body, they offer the potential to identify disease in its earliest stages as well as a patient’s immediate response to therapeutic interventions.

Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are noninvasive and, with the exception of intravenous injections, are usually painless medical tests that help physicians diagnose and evaluate medical conditions. These imaging scans use radioactive materials calledradiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam, the radiotracer is either injected into the body, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and eventually accumulates in the organ or area of the body being examined. Radioactive emissions from the radiotracer are detected by a special camera or imaging device that produces pictures and provides molecular information.

In many centers, nuclear medicine images can be superimposed with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to produce special views, a practice known as image fusion or co-registration. These views allow the information from two different exams to be correlated and interpreted on one image, leading to more precise information and accurate diagnoses. In addition, manufacturers are now making single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) units that are able to perform both imaging exams at the same time. An emerging imaging technology, but not readily available at this time is PET/MRI.

A PET scan measures important body functions, such as blood flow, oxygen use, and sugar (glucose) metabolism, to help doctors evaluate how well organs and tissues are functioning.

CT imaging uses special x-ray equipment, and in some cases a contrast material, to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These images can then be interpreted by a radiologist on a computer monitor. CT imaging provides excellent anatomic information.

Today, almost all PET scans are performed on instruments that are combined PET and CT scanners. The combined PET/CT scans provide images that pinpoint the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity within the body. The combined scans have been shown to provide more accurate diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

PET and PET/CT scans are performed to:

• detect cancer.
• determine whether a cancer has spread in the body.
• assess the effectiveness of a treatment plan, such as cancer therapy.
• determine if a cancer has returned after treatment.
• determine blood flow to the heart muscle.
• determine the effects of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, on areas of the heart.
• identify areas of the heart muscle that would benefit from a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery (in combination with a myocardial perfusion scan).
• evaluate brain abnormalities, such as tumors, memory disorders, seizures and other central nervous system disorders.
• map normal human brain and heart function.

·         What is a PET/CT scan?

·         This advanced nuclear imaging technique combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) into one machine. A PET/CT scan reveals information about both the structure and function of cells and tissues in the body during a single imaging session.

·         During a PET/CT scan, the patient is first injected with a glucose (sugar) solution that contains a very small amount of radioactive material. The substance is absorbed by the particular organs or tissues being examined. The patient rests on a table and slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner. The PET/CT scanner is then able to "see" damaged or cancerous cells where the glucose is being taken up (cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells) and the rate at which the tumor is using the glucose (which may help determine the tumor grade). The procedure is painless and varies in length, depending on the part of the body that is being evaluated.

·         By combining information about the body's anatomy and metabolic function, a PET/CT scan provides a more detailed picture of cancerous tissues than either test does alone. The images are captured in a single scan, which provides a high level of accuracy.

·         Most oncologists will perform a CT scan and/or a bone scan prior to ordering a PET/CT scan.

https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/pet-ct-scan/

A CT scan is a series of xrays that builds up a 3-dimensional picture of inside your body. CT stands for Computerised Tomography. You will need to lie down on a couch which moves through a tunnel. This is a painless procedure and usually takes about 30mins. You may need to take a drink or be injected with dye. This allows your doctors to see areas of your body more clearly. The dye might make you feel hot but this will pass.

An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and not xrays to build up a series of cross sectional pictures of inside your body. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Again you will have to lie on a couch, this time inside a metal cyclinder. An MRI scan is very noisy and you will be given earplugs or headphones. Some patients find an MRI claustrophobic. If you are worried about this discuss it with your doctor. They can prescribe medication to help keep you calm. You may also be given a drink or injection of dye before an MRI scan.

A PET scan stands for Positron Emisson Tomography. You will be given a radioactive injection prior to your scan and this will highlight areas in the body that are abnormal. A PET scan is often used for parts of the body that other scans don't give enough information about. This scan is also painless, however it can take up to two hours to perform. Again you will be required to lie on a couch that moves through a scanner. This scanner contains sensors that read the signals from the radioactive substance injected into your body. It is important to be very relaxed prior to a PET scan. Your doctor might prescribe some medication to help you with this. It is unusual to become claustrophobic during a PET scan.

All of these scans take pictures of inside the body. Your doctor will decide which scan is best suited for you. These scans are usually performed for investigative purposes and are not normally performed on healthy people.

You will be advised before your scan whether or not you need to fast. Also the staff in the radiology department will explain whether or not you are radioactive following your scan. If so it is advisable to avoid contact with young children and pregnant women for 24 hours.

https://www.cancer.ie/community/diagnosis/ct-scan-mri-scan-and-pet-scan-whats-difference

If you would like more information on these or other tests please check out the website for the American Cancer Society:

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

https://www.webmd.com/cancer/what-is-a-ct-scan#3

I hope that these past few posts on all of the tests have been thorough enough to give you a good idea of what the tests are for and how they are done, and why they are done. You all have a great day --- until my next post remember to stay positive, pray often, keep the faith and hold on tightly to the Lord. I promise you that He will help you through every step of the way, it may not be easy,  but it will be worth it in the long run!!