elenacuomo's Cancer Blog
March 17, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I want to thank you all for your support and prayers. The past 2 weeks have been a nail biting experience. You all know I was awaiting the results of the MRI bcuz the PET scan lit up in the tonsil area. Well Today FINALLY Doc confirmed there are NO TUMORS, LUMPS or evidence of “C”
Hallelujah! PRAISE GOD! I was really trying so HARD to remain calm. I wanted to rely on my FAITH in GOD and stand firm with the fact that the “C” WAS NOT back….but in the same sense I was worried why doc was taking so long to get back to me. We all know an idle mind is the Devils playground. So I kept my self on the move.
Today was yet another Happiest Day of My life. THANK YOU LORD! ANd many thanks to all of you who have stuck with me and reached out to me with encouragement. You are all always there for me. I am honored to be a part of BFAC. You are all filled with Courage, inspiration and warmest wishes all of the time. You are in my thoughts and prayers always.
With lots of love,
Elena : )
March 2, 2010
Hi All,
So yesterday I went for my follow up with oncology where we spoke of my PET SCAN taken Feb 15. Actually it didnt show NED..it did light up in my tonsil area. But no-one wants to confirm that it is or isnt CANCER!
Onco believes that its infection and remainings from radiation. But that doesnt satisfy me of course so I then decided to walk over to my ENT surgeon’s office. This was the surgeon who on Nov 17 told me he took it all out in the Neck Dissection. He went in my throat and insists he feels no lumps. However, we are scheduling and MRI which will show the anatomy in that area and detect if there is a lump or not.
Ya see this is what I mean….why do they wait so long. To me, the results of that PET SCAN deserved a PHONE CALL to ME that next day. No, instead I have to chase them down with emails and I cant even make phone calls due to NO VOICE! I mean my husband can call for me. But why do the docs just take their time with this stuff. I dont get it!
HAs anyone experienced a PET SCAN to light up in an area and it WAS NOT Cancer! My radialogists did warn me from day 1 out of radiation that this can light for up to a year after due to the treatment.
In any event Im trying to remain positive and I believe in my heart that I am healed. I dont want to “FEAR” anymore bcuz I want my “FAITH” in GOD to prevail.
I await my MRI appt which will conclude the PET results!
Thanks for listening. You are all so STRONG.
Love,
Elena
Shoud I be worried. Trying hard not to be!, 
14 comments)
Hi Elena,
I definately can see why you would worry although I have been told that your PET can light up from treatment and can light up because of using your muscles. Please try not to worry. I can’t say that I blame you, I always worry. Was your PET scan a PET/CT or just a PET? I really think that if your doctors thought for a moment it still could be cancer they would of run more tests. Hang in there! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
hugs
Nancy
Posted on I hate these wishey-washey answers! I know this must be hard for you but I’m glad that you are pursuing it with the other doctor and getting an MRI as well. Hopefully that will give you a better picture of what is going on.
You hang strong girl and be relentless with the questions.
Teresa
Posted on Awww, Elena…I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Stay strong, the results will be good.Your faith has brought you this far…it won’t let you down now! I will be praying for you!
Love,
Lisa
Posted on Elana – I certainly don’t blame you for being worried – who wouldn’t be? I hope one of our friends can share w/you their experience that the PET was due to the treament and NOT more cancer. Until then, you have the absolute right attitude, please keep your faith, no matter what the news, as it will see you through no matter what. You are contantly in my prayers – please let us know what you find out from the ENT and MRI. You continue to amaze us all by your strength.
Hugs to you always, Chris
Posted on hi elena…
sorry to hear about this new news…
i sure can understand your fear and frustration…
it is important that your doctor confirm the primary source of your cancer…and to confirm if the recent petscan reading is a false positive.
what i have learned in my journey with cancer…{mine was tonsil cancer}...
- it was important to locate the primary source of my cancer {while initially, i had this bump on the side of my neck, after i had a needle biopsy, catscan, petscan, the information showed the “primary site” of my cancer was in my tonsil, and “secondary sites” were in my neck and roof of the back of my mouth area {forgot the fancy name}
also…
after all the surgeries/radiation/chemo.. - my doctor had me wait for 6 months post radiation/chemo for my first petscan {in fear if done before this 6 month mark, i could have a false positive reading}...
as i say all this, know each cancer has is own treatment and healing…and your doctor may have his or her own reasoning for your specific treatment you received…
i am glad you are active in getting answers…keep asking questions…
it is very important that you feel you are in good hands with your treatment team {surgeon, oncologist…ect}
you are in my prayers
keep us posted…
dennismcgn
Posted on hi, elena. i just wanted to let you know that i will be praying that you get only good news and that this scare was just that… a scare and nothing more. you have been through enough and need good news. i truly think that is what you will get. hugs to you… and God bless you. debby
Posted on I hope you get good news and wish you peace…
Posted on Hi
I feel your frustration! I have had spots “light up” that are not considered cancer. According to a friend who is a great doctor, it happens all the time. Do not borrow trouble yet. Wait for all the answers to be in!
Peace to you,
Bo
Elena,
As you know it can sometimes take an enormous amount of effort to remain positive in uncertain circumstances. This past Monday my Medical Oncologist told me that I should wait several months before a follow-up PET scan because false positive results have a higher likelihood of showing up while one is still in the physical healing process.
You are an “overcomer” and your faith will get you through this. The Scripture says in Second Corinthians that we walk by faith and not by sight. In other words, we have to believe it before we’re ever going to see it.
I don’t know if you are familiar with Joel Osteen, but here’s what he has to say about overcoming: “We all have things that come against us, but God didn’t create us to be overwhelmed and overcome; He created us to be overcomers. It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it’s never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in knowing that God is bigger than our problems and that He already has a way out, when we fight the good fight of faith, that’s what allows God to show up and turn negative situations around.”
So Elena, remain standing strong with the attitude of an overcomer and watch what God will do on your behalf…and know that we are standing with you.
Let us know when you get the good news of that false positive :o)
Peace, hope and love,
Greg
Posted on I will pray that your mri results give you well deserved peace of mind. I have faith that you will overcome this.
Posted on I agree 110% when we put our lives in the hands of these docs, and w3e have ANY tests done, it is their responsibility to contact us personally or via oncology NP or RN. I am sending my thoughts & prayers your way in the hope you can find some peace when you did get your results. Be well, Patty
P.S. Sorry I do not have any witty words or some amazing profound words besides this is just plain shitty.
Posted on Oh Elena,
It’s all too fresh in my mind about my own tests.
I definitely feel for you and am praying for the best results.
It’s a tough battle for us… because like so many people have said… after treatment for cancer there are so many tests you have to have and scans. I’m afraid that for the rest of my life I will always think the worst when something is hurting or I find a lump in my neck.
You are in my constant thoughts and prayers.
Please feel free to vent and rage to me if you are feeling angry, upset, sad, depressed or any of the numerous emotions we have.
You have always left such wonderful messages for me. I hope I can be there for you!
Many, many hugs and blessings,
Elana Rose
Posted on 
07.08.09 
Thanks for your support - 
hi, elena. i am so happy your MRI came back NED. i can imagine that must be a huge relief. time to celebrate some good news. i am continuing to pray for you… that you will always be NED. God bless you. debby
Amen.
Hi Elena,
What wonderful news! Everytime we get good news it is like another birthday….at least that is how I think of it. I wish you all good news from here on out. Keep us updated on your continued recovery.
hugs
Nancy
Elena I am so happy for you. I hope you can hear me scream with happiness for you, YEEEEAAAAAHH WOOO HOOOOOOOO!
Pat
Elena-
Congratulations…you’ve been a strong warrior fighting all the way to victory. Others will now need your inspiration and help on their new journey’s to victory.
Great news, you deserved it.
Hugs and love always
Ron
Wonderful news! Big relief – whew!
Anna