Need help with pet scan

Posted by Clifford Gerwig @cgerwig66, Oct 14, 2023

I recently had a pet scan after 4 biosurgeries bone, kidney, fat pad, and tongue. They were all negative for amyloid. The pet scan had a 3.3 uptake on the right hilar lymph node and a 3.4 uptake on the left hilar lymph nodes. The va has discussed none of this with me it's been months I would just like to know what that means.
Thank you

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@cgerwig66 We aren’t medical professionals here on Mayo Clinic Connect so we can’t offer you medical interpretation of your scan. We can and do offer support.

You mention that you had the PET scan through the VA? Who was the medical provider who ordered the PET scan? This is the person you can and should ask for interpretation of these findings.

Can you make an appointment with your VA provider?

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Ya it's was my hematologist and I got nothing from him same old va health care

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@cgerwig66 My father used the VA system for many years. He had good doctors who communicated with him and my mom. Do you have a primary care doctor? Maybe that’s the person to ask for help in interpreting your PET scan.

Why did the hematologist order the PET scan?

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@naturegirl5

@cgerwig66 My father used the VA system for many years. He had good doctors who communicated with him and my mom. Do you have a primary care doctor? Maybe that’s the person to ask for help in interpreting your PET scan.

Why did the hematologist order the PET scan?

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No I just need good health care and the va isn't that place so maybe when I get rich I can afford good health care!!!!!!

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@cgerwig66 oh, Clifford, I’m sorry that you feel you aren’t getting good healthcare. That makes me sad. I know the VA has been terribly overworked the past few years. That’s not an excuse, just a fact. Do you have and use a computer? Could you maybe look up the VA Services officer in your area. Their job is to help veterans navigate the VA services.
Were you expecting some bad news with the PET scan?

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No I'm sick really sick and they keep telling me I'm fine I get so weak I pass out about 3 times a day. I can barely breathe with out my rescue inhaler. I can't do anything physical.

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Have you been in touch with your hematologist? I don't know the VA system, but the healthcare system I use has a patient portal in which I can send a message to my doctor and get a reply.

I'm also wondering whether Medicare or Medicaid might be options for you in addition to the VA. I have an elderly uncle who is eligible to use the VA system, but he mostly uses Medicare. Another option that may be available is a HRSA (an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services) community health center.

Do you have a friend, or relative, or perhaps a social worker in the county where you live who could help advocate for you?

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Sometimes there are no easy answers. And I hope u get what needs be done.

With my equally senior cat, since vets are just not affordable but universal healthcare for people in Canada, I promised my cat: No doctors and meds for me either.

I rarely had seen my doc, no meds or surgeries (Thank goodness no accidents) -- though I did fall on four in a dark place walking to get my groceries but bruises only. Perhaps all the more reason for me to look after my health to stay independent as an 80 y.o. I guess we'll never have every problem in life with a solution. And I Accept without grudges that condition if life offered so demands.

For now, anyway.

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Prayers sent. I deal with this at times to do with our regular doctors. I search on google for the meanings of various health concerns/lab results etc. Maybe you could get answers on Google too.

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Ask someone who has a computer and knows how to use it to help you. It appears that the VA has a patient portal at https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home

On the portal, find Health Records. Look for Test Results or something similar. The PET scan report detailing the results may be there. You may have to ask for help in interpreting the report too. The person helping you can use Google to find the definition of any terms he or she does not know that are in the report.

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