PET Scan

{Editor- JaNece} Jack went to the American Fork Hospital to get a PET scan done yesterday. (For those of you that don't know what a PET scan is: A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is a unique type of imaging test that helps doctors see how the organs and tissues inside your body are actually functioning. The test involves injecting a very small dose of a radioactive chemical, called a radiotracer, into the vein of your arm. The tracer travels through the body and is absorbed by the organs and tissues being studied. Next, you will be asked to lie down on a flat examination table that is moved into the center of a PET scanner—a doughnut-like shaped machine. This machine detects and records the energy given off by the tracer substance and, with the aid of a computer, this energy is converted into three-dimensional pictures. A physician can then look at cross-sectional images of the body organ from any angle in order to detect any functional problems.)

• They didn't talk about the results of the PET scan, but Jack took the results, along with his previous CT scans to (what he thought was) the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the U. But the hospital that scheduled the appointment actually sent him to the Utah Cancer Institute to see Dr. Harker. In this confusion, the office said they did not show that he was coming and that there was no record of him whatsoever AND that Dr. Harker wasn't even in today. They were however very nice and apologetic. It was very discouraging at first and my mom didn't understand why they were sent there. But as my mom always says, "there is a reason for everything." My parents talked to one Dr. there who was willing to take time for them and was very kind. He took time to sit with them and tried to answer any question they had. It turns out this is where the clinical study is administered. They were recommened to see Dr. Harker at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, who is said to be one of the best, highly recommeded, very knowledgeable and compassionate doctors.

• After they left the UCI, they received a phone call from the Huntsman Cancer Institute saying they had missed an appointment there with Dr. Akerley, who is actually the creator of this clinical study that Jack in considering. And even if they HAD made it to the appointment, they would've been send home because there was a gas leak at the U and everything was shut down. Since Jack missed the appointment, they scheduled another time to come in, but then Dr. Akerley actually talked to Jack over the phone and answered any further questions he had reguarding the study. One question my dad asked him was, "If one of your parents had cancer, would you want them to do this study?" The Dr. said that he absoultely would and that the study is not using unknown drugs, it's using drugs that haven't necessarily been used together (one drug is to build up the immune system & the other is to stop the cancer from growing).
  

• The Dr. asked Jack if he would be willing to participate in two more scans that aren't to help his (Jack's) case, but to help others and the clinical study. My dad of course agreed.
  

You can check out Dr. Akerley's background here.

To answer any questions you have about clinical trials, click here.

For information on the Huntsman Cancer Institute, click here.

We continue to feel very blessed and very hopeful. Jack is going about his normal activities and is still the family joker. We appreciate your love and concern. We know that prayer & fasting brings blessings and answers. Our family is having a special fast for Jack on Sunday and you are welcome to participate if you wish. Thank you!