[Erin]

Great posts about this, but being a very "high-need for information" person. I needed the (admittedly vauge) reassurance that scans could offer. As you can see from my signature, I am stage 1, grade 2 with negative nodes. However, having felt unwell for about 6 months prior to my dx, my mind could not let go of the off-chance that something else was going on. Thank god I have a great Onc who takes my feelings and state of mind into account (even with an HMO!). So I recently had a CT that showed normal liver and lungs, and a bone scan that lit up a spot on my spine. Follow up X-ray was negative (meaning they did not find anything that they could absolutely attribute the spot too, like long-term arthritis), so we are on to an MRI with IV contrast on Monday.

I know, as many other posts have pointed out, that being clear today cannot predict tomorrow. BUT. and this is a big BUT, you have to decide what makes you the most comfortable and what gives you peace of mind. Only you know what that means. I have had many people tell me "don't go on the internet", and "don't go looking for trouble". But I know myself. Only when I have investigated all sides of the issue completely and thouroughly am I able to put it in the proper perspective and get on with my life. If I don't feel like I have all the information available to me, it eats at me and I can't let it go.

Best of luck with your decision on the scans and follow-up.
:-)