Ok, so I'm on Prolia now for bone density... and waiting CT scan results... 2nd edit-wanna see?

My oncologist recommended and I finally agreed to go ahead with Prolia for my low bone density issue. My femur neck T score was -2.3. A score of -1 to -2.5 is "osteopenia", or low bone density. Below -2.5 is osteoporosis. Mine was low enough to warrant treatment, with preauthorization from insurance.

We'll see if there are any side effects. The possibilities have a wide range, from nothing, to some pretty severe joint and muscle pain, and possible immune system issues. Oh well.

Oh, and I had a CT scan to look for causes of visible blood in urine. Another waiting game to find out what the radiologists readings are from the scan. (I got a copy of the scan on CD, and couldn't help looking at it. I didn't like what I saw on one kidney at all, so I'm really curious what they say. Those images are pretty hard to interpret.) A cystoscopy is also planned for Dec 5. Ah, good times.

But hey, it's another miraculous day!

Jerry

Redwing - I was on monthly Xgeva when I was thought to have had bone mets, then switched to 6-month Prolia, same drug lower dose. No noticeable side effects from either.

Hope they find the cause of blood in your urine and that it is minor.

Another thing to be so thankful for Thursday.

LupronJim

logoslidat said...
Why a cat scan? Did they already do a cystectomy and it was negative for cancer and the most likely suspect, kidney stones in the bladder??

The plan is to do both a CT scan and cystoscopy. The CT scanner is in a separate facility, but the urologist will do the cystoscopy at the same appointment when we discuss the CT scan, sort of a twofer. So, CT scan first then the cystoscopy.

Apparently at least at this hospital it's fairly common to do a CT scan for a blood-in-urine complaint. Cystoscopy will be to look for inflamed capillaries or radiation cystitis.

And, right after the CT scan I asked for a copy of the image study. They give it to me right then on a DVD, with a viewer program included. Pretty cool. However......... I studied the heck out of my PCa MRI in 2013, so I'm used to looking at fuzzy gray images this way. So, it seemed that it would be interesting to look at the CT scan. The right kidney has a very clear issue, very clear. Attempting to stay calm about it, but it looks pretty significant. Really am anxious about the radiologist's report since they see so much in those images.

The cystoscopy may be superfluous if what I can see in the kidney is really what it looks like it is. Just keep breathing....

Jerry

Wow, that's some great news on the CT scan Jerry! Hope that news makes your Thanksgiving a lot less stressful...

Great news. Now I hope all goes well with the balance!

Let us know when and if this resolves the blood in the urine sitiation? I understand the curiosity angle very well.

Wonderful Thanksgiving present, Jerry (and Connie). Karen and I will celebrate with you vicariously.

Emjoy the engineering down time in frigid Michigan.

LupronJim

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! This is a wonderful community.

By the way, I captured an image showing the left and right kidneys, as I was looking at the image (it's reversed actually in this view. The left on the screen is actually the right kidney).

Anyway, the large scary looking dark entity on the "screen left" right kidney is just apparently nothing to be concerned about. You may see why it kind of freaked me out, scanning back and forth through the image.

It seems it is a Bosniak score IIf cystic lesion. Usually benign, but to be watched by repeated scans for up to 5 years to see if it changes. It might, and then it might have to come out. Just another sword of Damocles to keep an eye on!

imgur.com/u1DANYo

Jerry (I'm not a radiologist, thank goodness)