No conclusion means no bad news

We saw the Oncologist, he poked and probed and told us that the blood tests, xray, bone scan and MRI were inconclusive--which means it could be a cancer or it may not be a cancer. To maximize the certainty, he has ordered up a PET/CT scan which may give us the answers IF this is a cancer. If the PET/CT scan comes back negative, then Mary will see the back and pain doctors.

They gave Mary another, different narcotic to attack the pain. This time it is a transdermal patch. Taking that with Celebrex may resolve the horrible pain levels she is experiencing. And, because it is transdermal, it should avoid the stomach problems she has experienced with Vicodin and Oxycodone.

The plan: Mary will see the surgeon as planned on Friday. The next visit with the Oncologist is the 10th. Sometime between today and Thursday the 10th, she is supposed to complete the PET/CT scan--Stanford will call with an appointment. Mary starts the transdermal patch as soon as she and/or Reenie pick it up at Walgreen's today. If the patch isn't having enough effect by Wed, she is to double up on patches because they are starting her on a kid's dose. If adult dose of the patch plus Celebrex together aren't providing the right result, she is supposed to call on Friday for yet a different narcotic. This one is administered by drops into the mouth to be absorbed.

All in all, we are hopeful the new narcotic will knock down her pain at a minimum. And, that if the PET/CT scan does not confirm a cancer, then the source can be easily identified and quickly fixed.

Mary and Reenie headed to Walgreen's and then home.