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Scans after NED
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Scans after NED

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Scans after NED

  • Post
    • February 19, 2013 at 2:34 pm
    Mandi0280
    Participant

      Hello,

       

      Hello,

       

       Wanting to know what everyone here knows about scan intervals. Since my husband was diagnosed with melanoma in October 2011 I have done a fair amount of research and thought that I knew when scans would be due. Long story kinda short…after diagnosis he done ipi until he couldn't take it anymore. One month of interferon and scans every 3 months. He was 1 year NED as of October 2012. We just had a followup with his oncologist who said we will see you back in August  and did not schedule any scans. This was very shocking to me. I do know in October he told us it was getting harder and harder for him to get scans done for people due to insurance reasons but i'm still a little worried about this. Has anyone else waited this long in between scans after just 1 year NED? This will put my husband at 10 months in between scans

       

      Thanks

      Mandi

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 20, 2013 at 12:49 am
        washoegal
        Participant

          Mandi,

          there is no standard for scans.  Every Insurance is different and every specialist is different.  I am almost 3 years NED, Stage 3A and I still get scans every 6 months.  The Doc does have to appeal it every to to the insurance but apparently this had become standard practice. 

          Mary

          • February 20, 2013 at 12:49 am
          washoegal
          Participant

            Mandi,

            there is no standard for scans.  Every Insurance is different and every specialist is different.  I am almost 3 years NED, Stage 3A and I still get scans every 6 months.  The Doc does have to appeal it every to to the insurance but apparently this had become standard practice. 

            Mary

            • February 20, 2013 at 12:49 am
            washoegal
            Participant

              Mandi,

              there is no standard for scans.  Every Insurance is different and every specialist is different.  I am almost 3 years NED, Stage 3A and I still get scans every 6 months.  The Doc does have to appeal it every to to the insurance but apparently this had become standard practice. 

              Mary

                • February 20, 2013 at 6:06 pm
                Mandi0280
                Participant

                  I think 6 months would be managable. But 10 month after just 1 year diagnosis doesn't set well with me for some reason! But like my husband says…he's the doctor not me lol. But I think no matter who the doctor is you have to look out for yourself because doctors make mistakes just like every other normal human bein.

                  • February 20, 2013 at 6:06 pm
                  Mandi0280
                  Participant

                    I think 6 months would be managable. But 10 month after just 1 year diagnosis doesn't set well with me for some reason! But like my husband says…he's the doctor not me lol. But I think no matter who the doctor is you have to look out for yourself because doctors make mistakes just like every other normal human bein.

                    • February 20, 2013 at 6:06 pm
                    Mandi0280
                    Participant

                      I think 6 months would be managable. But 10 month after just 1 year diagnosis doesn't set well with me for some reason! But like my husband says…he's the doctor not me lol. But I think no matter who the doctor is you have to look out for yourself because doctors make mistakes just like every other normal human bein.

                    • February 20, 2013 at 2:36 am
                    Gene_S
                    Participant

                      Hello Mandi,

                      In case you are not aware of it,  Pet and Ct scans give out allot of radiation.  The fact is that radiation exposure from all sources can add up over one's lifetime, imaging tests that use radiation should only be done if there is a good medical reason to do so. The usefulness of the test must always be balanced against the possible risks from exposure to the radiation. My guess is that his doctor knows this fact and that your husband is fairly young that he is keeping his scans to a minimum. Hope this helps…    Gene

                        • February 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm
                        Mandi0280
                        Participant

                          Melanoma is such a hard thing. I have heard of the over exposure to radiation. I guess I just keep thinking of catching it early if it were to come back. Melanoma will keep your mind busy from day one of diagnosis if you let it. My husband has a cough right now that he has had for around a month. He also has asthma though…so this is one reason waiting for scans has me a bit freaked out. Every single thing that happens with your body after a melanoma diagnosis makes you wonder…IS IT BACK?? Thanks for the replys.  

                          • February 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm
                          Gene_S
                          Participant

                            Gene didn't have the cough or any symptoms but he was having scans one at the regular interval and they found blood clots in both lungs on the CT scan.  He was then taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted to the cancer center for 11 days.  His oncologist says that people with cancer are more susceptible to blood clots.  A cough that you have for a month might need to be checked out as it could be blood clots or at least make the Dr. aware of the cough.

                            Judy (loving wife of Gene)

                            • February 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm
                            Gene_S
                            Participant

                              Gene didn't have the cough or any symptoms but he was having scans one at the regular interval and they found blood clots in both lungs on the CT scan.  He was then taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted to the cancer center for 11 days.  His oncologist says that people with cancer are more susceptible to blood clots.  A cough that you have for a month might need to be checked out as it could be blood clots or at least make the Dr. aware of the cough.

                              Judy (loving wife of Gene)

                              • February 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm
                              Gene_S
                              Participant

                                Gene didn't have the cough or any symptoms but he was having scans one at the regular interval and they found blood clots in both lungs on the CT scan.  He was then taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted to the cancer center for 11 days.  His oncologist says that people with cancer are more susceptible to blood clots.  A cough that you have for a month might need to be checked out as it could be blood clots or at least make the Dr. aware of the cough.

                                Judy (loving wife of Gene)

                                • February 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm
                                Mandi0280
                                Participant

                                  Melanoma is such a hard thing. I have heard of the over exposure to radiation. I guess I just keep thinking of catching it early if it were to come back. Melanoma will keep your mind busy from day one of diagnosis if you let it. My husband has a cough right now that he has had for around a month. He also has asthma though…so this is one reason waiting for scans has me a bit freaked out. Every single thing that happens with your body after a melanoma diagnosis makes you wonder…IS IT BACK?? Thanks for the replys.  

                                  • February 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm
                                  Mandi0280
                                  Participant

                                    Melanoma is such a hard thing. I have heard of the over exposure to radiation. I guess I just keep thinking of catching it early if it were to come back. Melanoma will keep your mind busy from day one of diagnosis if you let it. My husband has a cough right now that he has had for around a month. He also has asthma though…so this is one reason waiting for scans has me a bit freaked out. Every single thing that happens with your body after a melanoma diagnosis makes you wonder…IS IT BACK?? Thanks for the replys.  

                                  • February 20, 2013 at 2:36 am
                                  Gene_S
                                  Participant

                                    Hello Mandi,

                                    In case you are not aware of it,  Pet and Ct scans give out allot of radiation.  The fact is that radiation exposure from all sources can add up over one's lifetime, imaging tests that use radiation should only be done if there is a good medical reason to do so. The usefulness of the test must always be balanced against the possible risks from exposure to the radiation. My guess is that his doctor knows this fact and that your husband is fairly young that he is keeping his scans to a minimum. Hope this helps…    Gene

                                    • February 20, 2013 at 2:36 am
                                    Gene_S
                                    Participant

                                      Hello Mandi,

                                      In case you are not aware of it,  Pet and Ct scans give out allot of radiation.  The fact is that radiation exposure from all sources can add up over one's lifetime, imaging tests that use radiation should only be done if there is a good medical reason to do so. The usefulness of the test must always be balanced against the possible risks from exposure to the radiation. My guess is that his doctor knows this fact and that your husband is fairly young that he is keeping his scans to a minimum. Hope this helps…    Gene

                                      • February 20, 2013 at 5:46 pm
                                      JC
                                      Participant

                                        that's the hard thing – how do you know what to run to the Dr for?  every ache, pain, headache, etc. . ?  how much time to give something to see if it'll pass?

                                        • February 20, 2013 at 5:46 pm
                                        JC
                                        Participant

                                          that's the hard thing – how do you know what to run to the Dr for?  every ache, pain, headache, etc. . ?  how much time to give something to see if it'll pass?

                                          • February 20, 2013 at 5:46 pm
                                          JC
                                          Participant

                                            that's the hard thing – how do you know what to run to the Dr for?  every ache, pain, headache, etc. . ?  how much time to give something to see if it'll pass?

                                              • February 20, 2013 at 6:11 pm
                                              Mandi0280
                                              Participant

                                                Yep, after a melanoma diagnosis you just have to somehow figure out what you needs to go to doc for and what is just a normal headache or body ache. This is by far the worst thing I have ever had to go through. Anyone that thinks melanoma is just "skin cancer" should come live with us for awhile to see what life is really like even down the road after surgery and treatments. Don't get me wrong I am so very thankful for my husband being NED because there are many people alot worse of but just wish I could be more calm and not let every little thing make me wonder if melanoma is back

                                                • February 20, 2013 at 6:11 pm
                                                Mandi0280
                                                Participant

                                                  Yep, after a melanoma diagnosis you just have to somehow figure out what you needs to go to doc for and what is just a normal headache or body ache. This is by far the worst thing I have ever had to go through. Anyone that thinks melanoma is just "skin cancer" should come live with us for awhile to see what life is really like even down the road after surgery and treatments. Don't get me wrong I am so very thankful for my husband being NED because there are many people alot worse of but just wish I could be more calm and not let every little thing make me wonder if melanoma is back

                                                  • February 20, 2013 at 6:11 pm
                                                  Mandi0280
                                                  Participant

                                                    Yep, after a melanoma diagnosis you just have to somehow figure out what you needs to go to doc for and what is just a normal headache or body ache. This is by far the worst thing I have ever had to go through. Anyone that thinks melanoma is just "skin cancer" should come live with us for awhile to see what life is really like even down the road after surgery and treatments. Don't get me wrong I am so very thankful for my husband being NED because there are many people alot worse of but just wish I could be more calm and not let every little thing make me wonder if melanoma is back

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