Another Week in Rochester

It’s hard to believe that 4 years ago I was in my second week of treatments at Mayo. Returning to Rochester this week has had a feeling of homecoming. There is a strong feeling of familiarity and safety in this community and especially in the Mayo medical system.

This trip they did a PET/CT scan along with the blood work. In less than two hours the results were posted on my portal.

Overall it was a great report. The following is a summary from my chart after meeting with my oncologist, Dr. Halfdanarson:

“Mr. Harty has no evidence of recurrent malignancy. Although most localized anorectal NECs recur outside of the pelvis, they usually do so within 2-3 years and he is almost 4 years out without recurrence. I think there is a very good chance he is cured of this malignancy. He is at a slightly increased risk of other pelvic malignancies from prior radiotherapy.

Although there is no FDG PET evidence of recurrent disease, there is somewhat diffuse FDG avidity of the left colon and the rectosigmoid colon. I will bring that up with Dr. Alexander in Gastroenterology who is seeing him later this week.”

Dr. Halfdanarson is not too concerned with the additional findings, and feels a colonoscopy would rule anything else out. I meet with the gastroenterologist this morning.

All in all, a great report.