My Health Update:

– Christina Ursin –

Oh, the joy of scans. If you are sensing sarcasm, you would be correct. Since they had found a tumor on
my brain last time, I had to have a PET scan as well as a brain MRI again. The brain MRI was first. On the
way to the hospital, I started dry heaving in the car and had to open the door at every red light in case I
needed to throw up. I didn’t, but imagine it was an interesting sight for whoever was behind us. While
we were waiting to go back, someone’s phone alarm started going off for what felt like forever. I secretly
think it was a blessing in disguise because I went from terrified to super annoyed when they called me
back. I had the same MRI techs I had last time and think the MRI itself went smoothly.
Then I went in for the PET scan. I did better this time than I had in the past (thank you anxiety
medication?) I felt calmer and was not shaking and crying hysterically. Right after we had the PET scan,
we had to drive back to the hospital to get the results of the brain MRI. The PA for the Neurologist said
that there was still a tumor, but it still looked benign. She said that I could have scans every 6 months-1
year.
The next morning, we went to get the results of my PET scan. My Oncologist said it looked like the
cancer was still there, but it was responding to the medication. The only issue was that my brain lit up in
the PET scan again. For those that don’t know when something lights up in a PET scan that is typically
not good and can be cancer. My Oncologist decided he was going to meet with the Neurologist to
discuss my case and when he felt like I should have my brain scan again. They decided they felt like
every 3 months would be the best and the Neurologist was not concerned about the brain lighting up in
the PET scan.
All and all I think it was a good report. It has not spread anywhere else and does not look worse. The few
days with scans and treatments were A LOT and I had to sleep a lot with everything being emotionally
and physically draining. Until the next scans, I am trying to look for things to help my energy levels and
calm my heart. I am trying to remind myself that cancer is not a sprint, but a marathon.