The Importance of Regular Scans- GBM Survivors

As a long term Stage 4 GBM survivor; I can’s express how important it is to get regular MRI’s with and without contrast. I don’t particularly like getting MRI’s, but I know it’s good for my general wellbeing and to verify there is no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed in February 2011, where I had scans every 2 months. I now have scans every 4 to 5 months. Two weeks a go I had another positive scan showing no reoccurrence.

Ask your oncologist which is the latest and greatest MRI machine in your area. My oncologist recommends that I use the 3Tesla machine. As we know, technology changes rapidly. Find out what machine will show the greatest most intricate picture of your brain. When you receive you injection gadolinium is a non-radioactive heavy metal and is expelled from the body through the kidneys. In patients with healthy kidneys the Gadolinium leaves the system within 4-6 hours. It is very important to drink plenty of water before and after the contrast injection.

Although I feel very blessed to have clean MRI’s, I know I can’t keep my guard down. MRI’s are a sense of security, please don’t wait to get one.

Love and Light, Susan