I may have already asked this question, but couldn't find it in my page, if I did.

GregP_WN

How many CT scans and PET scans have you had? In researching what's in store for me with this clinical trial, they list 25 CT scans, 3 PET scans, and other "tests" as needed. The information says that if a person completes the trial and has all of the scans they will receive 10X the amount of radiation that a radiation tech is allowed to receive in a year. My idea is that it doesn't really matter at this point. I've received so much already that more probably isn't going to matter. I guess I could spontaneously combust at some point. But, that is a lot of scans, if I had to count how many I've already had over the years it's probably over 100.

I guess I should get me some of those shirts that have the nuclear radiation warning sign on them.

BuckeyeShelby

I've only had 6 CTs over the last 8 years. Plus the one a million years ago that found the kidney stone and the hernia.

LiveWithCancer

I have no idea. I had one PET scan, but I had 2 CT scans every 6 weeks for 4 years. Otherwise, they have been ever 3 months. I would hate to count how many... if lung cancer doesn't kill me, cancer due to excessive radiation may... BUT, i have also gotten 7.5 years that weren't expected, so no complaints here.

Bengal

I've had a number of MRIs but only ever had 1 CT scan. When I first started chemo I had such a bad reaction to the Neulasta (intense abdominal pain) that they thought maybe something had ruptured and sent me for a CT. Turned out everything was OK. My body just didn't tolerate the Neulasta at all. I dreaded the weeks they gave me that stuff.

andreacha

About 70 CTS (including hospitalizations) and about 55 each MRI for abdomen and pelvis. I developed an allergy to the CT dye in 2012. From then on they stopped all contrast - for CTs and MRIs.

po18guy

Well, it is survivable, despite how dire the amount of radiation sounds. At last/lost count, I was listing 45+ CT series (head to pelvis) and 25+ PETs. About 1,000 years of ambient or background radiation.

meyati

OK, Greg. I know this sounds stupid to people that don't live in the Rockies, SoCal, Nevada, Utah, but I have been sleeping under a radioactive miners hard hat since the 1980s-my son's hard hat. We built our front porch from radioactive timbers like everyone else in Cibola County.

When the mines closed down, they sent feds with geiger counters. They thought they might run into some pockets around mines. The streets and hiways were radioactive still are out in the county. Parking lots were radioactive. If it was uranium from the mines, it was radon from the ground. The washers and dryers were radioactive in the laundermats.and homes. They realized there were hot spots, so they went to investigate, and old miners spent years collecting memorabela, and they actually were run out of the homes with shotguns and pistols.

Anyway- things were pushed a bit when I had my radiation therapy. I was told that it could not crank the rads up anymore. My cancers-tumors were shrinking-all of us were happy. Then on week 4, they decided they weren't going to go, not only were they speeding back- a few got larger than when radiation started. I told Dr. Crank her up---What difference did it make? Either I died from the incurable cancer, and I already knew that I had over a 50% chance of dying from radiation poisoning. So what difference did it make?

My opinion- and the opinion of people in Cibola County was---What difference does it make? Our biggest worry was forgetting to take blasting caps out of a pocket and blow up the washer and laundry room.

I wish you well. Remember Boise has been dealing with radiation since she was a child, and she's an amazing woman.

Carool and I were talking about you last week. I know you trust the Lord. Greg you are a wonderful shepherd. I can't think of a better person for this job. You have our prayers, you have our thoughts, and you have our hearts.

myb

I did a CT scan after diagnosed with colon cancer from my colonoscopy at 50. When i finished 6 months of chemo, I did a CT and MRI scan every 3 months till I hit 2 years from surgery, I stopped MRI's after my 3rd as had a mental moment at 4th that they could not get me in the tube or even strapped down. Then at 2 years, I flipped to every 6 months. At 3.5 years, I had a change in my liver, so back for an MRI which was not conclusive. Then a PET scan which didn't show cancer. No scans since 5 yrs out. Colonoscopy every 3 years, and clean on my last one just this week.

Carool

Greg, as Meyati said here, you have all my thoughts and heart for a successful treatment in your trial treatment (I just read here about your upcoming treatment).

CASSIEME1

none related to my cancer diagnosis. but I have had 1 at the end of the year 2012/2013 due to double pneumonia. 2 mri's due to 8 bulging disc and bone calcium deposits in my shoulder.

Jayne

From my records: 4 PETs and 20 Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis CTs , but who's counting!