PET Scan History
Bryan has had a total of 3 PET Scans:
- October 10, 2024 - At the time of diagnosis, which showed the large cancerous tumor in his cecum/colon, two small (~3.9 cm) cancerous spots on his liver, and a tiny but "suspicious" nodule on one of his lungs.
- February 24, 2025 - Post-surgery, and just a few days after starting chemotherapy, which showed a new baseline of no cancer in the colon, two large (~10.9 cm) cancerous tumors on his liver, and one measurable cancerous spot on EACH of his lungs
- May 23, 2025 - First PET Scan to check chemo progress, which showed NO cancer in the colon, NO cancer in the lungs, and only ONE very shrunken (~3.4 cm) tumor on the liver!
After the October scan, we were scared, but hopeful that the naturopathic methods we wanted to try would work even better than chemotherapy. But alas, the tumors grew to more than DOUBLE their size and Bryan's condition deteriorated significantly in just a few short months.
After having colon surgery in January, the surgeon recommended Bryan give chemo a try, and after a few months of shrinking the metastases, he could come back and be evaluated for another surgery to remove the rest of the cancer.
After the February "baseline" scan, the oncologist told us not to "get our hopes up" about being able to do surgery on the liver spots down the road. He said, "Even with the primary tumor removed, we probably won't ever get to that point. We are just trying to stop this from growing and spreading, and extend your life for a couple more years."
After the scan just three months later, the SAME oncologist said, "Your tumors are just melting away!" And then the doctor did something unexpected – he recommended Bryan see a liver surgeon to get the last small tumor removed from his liver! Bryan did NOT pass up the opportunity to give credit to Whom credit is due; he said, "The chemo may have helped, but God is healing me because so many of my family and friends are praying for my healing!"
So, this coming week, Bryan has some more scans to get done at Mayo Clinic (another God-orchestrated blessing!), before meeting to consult with a liver specialist there at Mayo Clinic. We have been TRYING to get into Mayo Clinic ever since Bryan was diagnosed, but it is easier said than done. You have to have a referral, which means you have to know a doctor or someone connected to Mayo to even be seen there.
When we went the naturopathic route, we kind of forfeited traditional medical connections like that. When we went to the ER in late January and they were looking for a hospital to admit Bryan, I made them call Mayo first, but that was unsuccessful. When we decided to start treatment at Ironwood Cancer & Research Center, they gave us no hope of future surgery, nor any reason to seek out other options or opinions, because they have their own medical teams on staff.
Finally, when they did recommend surgery, a friend of Bryan's from church offered to contact a friend of his who works at Mayo! And before we knew it, he sent Bryan a link to apply to have his case reviewed by a team of doctors who would determine whether they would be able to take him as a patient.
Bryan submitted the application right away, had a phone call with someone at Mayo to make sure they knew to verify the surgeon and anyone else who treated him there is in our insurance network; and that brings us to present-day, where Bryan will spend this coming Monday afternoon (6/30) at Mayo letting them do a CT scan and MRI for their doctors to assess their ability to remove the remaining tumor on his liver. (Apparently, it can be a complicated procedure because there are MANY arteries and veins that run through the liver, so it will depend on the tumor's position in relation to all of those.) We know we still have a long road ahead, and we are trusting & thanking God every day for His faithful provision.
Needless to say, we are EXCITED for the opportunity, HOPEFUL for the outcome and what it could mean for Bryan and our whole family, and GRATEFUL to the Lord for all the prayers & miracles that got us to this point in our journey. If you have read this far... We sincerely want to THANK YOU for being part of the support system that has so lovingly shared this burden in our lives – spiritually, emotionally, and practically.