Journal entry by Diana Perkins —
Good News!
Went for a CT Scan last week and consultation with the doctor this week. Results: “Unremarkable", which means nothing bad showing up. Chemo did its work! Blood test shows levels within reason - most at good levels or slightly below; but since last infusion was just four weeks ago not all of the levels have yet to bounce back.
Small periumbilical hernia - spot where intestine pokes through incision - not of concern - I pop it back in manually and it could be useful as a party trick.
So, all good news! I’m keeping the port, "filter" and blood thinners for a while. Port will be flushed every six weeks and blood tests to monitor health and compare to baseline will be ongoing. Some neuropathy in fingers and toes, which should, within a year mostly go away. Hair thinning will stop and hair will fill in. All as it should be. I may not be updating except to say ALL IS GOOD, now and again.
Energy level good and getting better. We’re busy here, at The Hollow, with lots of projects. Orchard is now pruned and looking forward to gardening, biking and rowing the canoe.
I’m looking forward to a fun and productive 2021. I so appreciate all the love and concern and positive vibes that everyone has sent to me this last year - I know it helped and certainly buoyed my spirits.
Thank you and I send my love to all!
Diana
CT Scan results below in physician speak.
Study Result
Went for a CT Scan last week and consultation with the doctor this week. Results: “Unremarkable", which means nothing bad showing up. Chemo did its work! Blood test shows levels within reason - most at good levels or slightly below; but since last infusion was just four weeks ago not all of the levels have yet to bounce back.
Small periumbilical hernia - spot where intestine pokes through incision - not of concern - I pop it back in manually and it could be useful as a party trick.
So, all good news! I’m keeping the port, "filter" and blood thinners for a while. Port will be flushed every six weeks and blood tests to monitor health and compare to baseline will be ongoing. Some neuropathy in fingers and toes, which should, within a year mostly go away. Hair thinning will stop and hair will fill in. All as it should be. I may not be updating except to say ALL IS GOOD, now and again.
Energy level good and getting better. We’re busy here, at The Hollow, with lots of projects. Orchard is now pruned and looking forward to gardening, biking and rowing the canoe.
I’m looking forward to a fun and productive 2021. I so appreciate all the love and concern and positive vibes that everyone has sent to me this last year - I know it helped and certainly buoyed my spirits.
Thank you and I send my love to all!
Diana
CT Scan results below in physician speak.
Study Result
EXAMINATION:
CT CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITH CONTRAST
CLINICAL INFORMATION:
Mucinous adenocarcinoma with ovary. For follow-up.
COMPARISON:
Most recent prior CTA of the chest done on 5/20/2020 and CT of the chest
abdomen and pelvis done on 5/14/2020. Whole-body PET CT scan done on 6/18/2020
is also reviewed.
TECHNIQUE:
Multidetector volumetric imaging was performed from the thoracic inlet through
the pubic symphysis following administration of oral and intravenous contrast
of 100 mL of Omnipaque 300. Please note that patient apparently is allergic to
iodine. The patient was premedicated per hospital protocol prior to the exam.
No contrast reaction was observed following composition of the study. Sagittal
and coronal reformatted images were obtained on the technologist's
workstation.
This CT examination was performed using dose optimization techniques as
appropriate, variously including the following:
*Automated exposure control.
*Adjustment of mA and/or kV according to patient size (this includes
techniques or standardized protocols for targeted exams where dose is matched
to indication/reason for exam; i.e. extremities or head).
*Use of iterative reconstruction technique.
716.28 mGy-cm
FINDINGS:
CHEST:
Lungs: The lungs are clear with no evidence of inflammation or nodules.
Previously identified bibasilar presumed hypoventilatory, atelectatic changes
at both lung bases appear unchanged since 5/20/2020.
Mediastinum: The mediastinum is normal. Central vascular structures are
unremarkable. No hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Incidental note is made
of a left subclavian Port-A-Cath, with its tip seen projecting at the mid part
of the SVC.
Pericardium/Pleura: There is no significant effusion. No pleural mass or
thickening.
Chest Wall/Axilla: No pathologically enlarged lymphadenopathy is identified.
ABDOMEN/PELVIS:
Liver, Gallbladder, Biliary Tree: Previously detected subcapsular ellipsoidal
hypodense lesion seen involving segment 6 of right lobe of the liver (image
#250 series 2) currently measures 1.8 x 0.8 cm previously measured 2.1 x 1.1
cm on the MR of the abdomen dated 5/30/2020 given the slight subjective
difference in measurement as well as the modality difference, appears stable.
No new focal liver lesion.
The gallbladder is unremarkable with no evidence of radiopaque gallstones,
gallbladder wall thickening, or pericholecystic inflammatory changes.
Pancreas: Unremarkable.
Spleen: Unremarkable.
Adrenal Glands: Unremarkable.
Kidneys and Ureters: The kidneys are normal in size, shape, and attenuation.
No hydronephrosis or hydroureter or calculi seen. No perinephric stranding.
Incidental note is made of a subcentimeter cortical renal cyst at the superior
medial cortex of the right kidney, unchanged.
Bladder: Unremarkable.
Gastrointestinal Tract: The small and large bowel are unremarkable.
Nonvisualized appendix. Significant fecal residual is noted within the large
bowel.
Abdominal Wall: Interval development of a small bowel containing
nonobstructing periumbilical hernia is noted with the maximum transverse width
of the defect measuring approximately 4.5 cm (image #283 series 2).
Lymph Nodes: Normal.
Vascular: Inferior vena cava filter is present, appear in good position. No
evidence of any aortic aneurysm.
Peritoneal surface/omentum: No evidence of any peritoneal or omental mass
identified.. No evidence of any peritoneal fluid.
Pelvic Viscera: No evidence of any pelvic mass present.
Osseous Structures: Grade 1 anterolisthesis of L4 over L5 is noted. Moderate
diffuse osteopenia is seen. Multilevel degenerative spondylosis and facet
joint arthritic changes are noted.
IMPRESSION:
1. No CT evidence of any metastatic disease identified within the chest,
unchanged since most recent prior CTA of the chest done on 5/20/2020.
2. Previously documented presumed pericapsular metastatic disease to the right
lobe of the liver/pseudomyxoma peritoneal as was documented on the MRI of the
abdomen dated 5/29/2020, given the slight subjective difference in
measurement, and modality difference, appears stable
3. Interval development of small bowel containing nonobstructing periumbilical
hernia.
4. No other significant interval change within the abdomen and pelvis since
the prior MRI of the abdomen dated 5/29/2020 and whole-body PET CT study dated
6/18/2020.
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