Following up on the 2012 issue

[pellicle]

So, just heard from the Infection Specialist ... the interpretation of the PET is that there is remains some cause for concern in a couple of regions of the sternum (at exactly the site of debridement) and additionally they now want me to go have a colonoscopy as there is some activity in the colon which is troublesome to the interpreting doctor (and no, I didn't fart in the room)

Presumably this is the troubling point in the sternum (red arrow my own)

and this the troubling hot spot on the colon

There appears to be activity in the brain in this above shot, which I'm sure will trouble the views of many here. (oh, and consider yourselves mooned now...)

Ok, so now its off to see about a silver snake (Long John Silver as it were

 

[cldlhd]

Sorry to hear that, hopefully they both turn out to be a false alarm. Try not to enjoy the colonoscopy too much!!!

 

[dick0236]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Agian]

What I said. Keep me updated.

 

[Paleowoman]

Sorry to hear they found some activity still in the sternum, and now checking the colon.

Before I had a colonoscopy some years ago I did a bit of research as I don't like the kind of twilight sedation they normally use with it. I discovered that in some countries, Norway in particular, they hardly ever use sedation and that actually it is quite manageable. I asked my gastro doc if I could have it done that way and he agreed. It's quite painful when the scope goes round the two major bends but otherwise it's fine and you can watch the whole thing on the monitor....also you can stop yourself farting (they pump you full of air which tries to escape) otherwise you are entertaining the doc and nursing staff without realising it LOL And you can go home very soon after the procedure no problem.

 

[ottagal]

Pellicle, I, too am sorry to hear. Amazing how one goes in to have an area assessed and leaves with another area to have assessed, too. Best wishes for a good outcome.

 

[pellicle]

Thanks all for the well wishes

Amazing how one goes in to have an area assessed and leaves with another area to have assessed, too. .

actually, I take this as a lucky opportunity for a possibly early detection.

 

[Superman]

Sorry to hear the outcome doesn't appear to be the best case scenario we were all hoping for.

I think there may be some error the scan as clearly activity in the brain of the subject is questionable at best (you were waiting for that one).

Keep us posted. Hoping worst case is that this is just one of those nagging things one has to live with and keep at bay as you have been doing for years now.

 

[mom2angel]

Thinking of you pellicle. Wishing you good news with your additional scan. This wasn't the best news outcome, but this is just another small bump in the road for you. I pray it will be a blessing for you. Like you said, you could be blessed with early detection due to this. Keep up the great attitude.

 

[pellicle]

Hmm

directions are not swinging positive (or perhaps they are?) ... in pressing my specialist (by proposing a plan) I obtained more information from him on his take on the PET interpretation report. In his email to me he writes:

The infection (if present) is in the tissue of the wall of the aorta rather than butting up against the blood flow itself (such as occurs with endocarditis), and thus the likelihood of blood cultures becoming positive is low even if the infection becomes active - by the time the blood cultures become positive things will in all likelihood be bad.

Because of the nature of P acnes (now called Cutibacterium acnes FYI) and the very localised nature of the infection itself, the CRP is likely to be an insensitive measure of activity.


The PET is likely to be the most sensitive indicator but there is not much experience in using it in this way - theoretically it should work. Also it is a bit more difficult to evaluate the presence of increasing activity on PET as opposed to new activity - it is harder to assess how bright a light is, than whether it is on or off. That's why I was hoping for no activity.

So basically its still "game on" with regards to my live-in friends.

 

[ottagal]

Hmm

directions are not swinging positive (or perhaps they are?) ... in pressing my specialist (by proposing a plan) I obtained more information from him on his take on the PET interpretation report. In his email to me he writes:


So basically its still "game on" with regards to my live-in friends.

Am I reading correctly? sounds like things are holding/at bay. If so....may those little 'buggers' be squashed and remain at bay for a very long time...or maybe even magically disappear!

 

[pellicle]

Am I reading correctly? sounds like things are holding/at bay.

the reading is that (as we know so far) they maybe there, but if they are they are encased in a biofilm surrounding the aortic graft. If that is the case (and we don't know) then this is not ideal as they may well be slowly digesting the materials they are on ... leading to a bad future outcome.

I believe we need more research to clarify this.

I remain on antibiotics and await more input

 

[ottagal]

the reading is that (as we know so far) they maybe there, but if they are they are encased in a biofilm surrounding the aortic graft. If that is the case (and we don't know) then this is not ideal as they may well be slowly digesting the materials they are on ... leading to a bad future outcome.

I believe we need more research to clarify this.

I remain on antibiotics and await more input

Thanks for clarifying. Keeping you in my most positive thoughts.

 

[Andrew]

Hi pellicle,

Are there any news with your issue? Are you still on antobiotics?

 

[pellicle]

Are there any news with your issue? Are you still on antobiotics?

sigh, I wrote something and this **** software swallowed it up ... spam

(a litany of abuse)

 

[pellicle]

One day I hope that Hank decides to actually do something with this site ... you know, instead of leaving it rot slowly.