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Re: MUGA scan down to 50% ?
Dawn...
Deep breath...in through the nose...out through the mouth...
You're wise to stay ahead of it. Ask questions of your regular onc, and whoever oredered the MUGA. But, don't borrow trouble! Keep smiling, and focus on how well that TDM-1 is kicking cancer's butt!
I've been through this twice myself, and both times it worked out fine. There are some good threads about this here too. Do a search for EF, echo, MUGA...and see what comes up.
My cardiologist only does echos. She says she gets a better overall picture of the way the heart is functioning. MUGAs are computerized...so the benefit is there's no human error involved. But there's no room for an expert to dispute the findings either.
I personally don't think a 50% is going to get you kicked out. Mostly because they're comparing two different kinds of studies. One echo and one MUGA - apples and oranges. If they do try to oust you, I'd insist on an echo to confirm. My doc says anything from 50% - 65% is perfectly normal. And as Jackie points out, a drop of 10% is always cause for concern. BUT...again...they're comparing two different kinds of studies here, so I'm not sure that should factor in. And besides...you haven't dropped out of the normal range. (Remember! All of this is just my humble, non-medical opinion...based solely on my limited knowlege and experience.)
Also, when this happened to me...the doc prescribed coreg and enapril to help my heart "recuperate" between treatments and more importantly, between echos. It has worked like a charm!
Sending warm thoughts, and a big hug!
Keep us posted!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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