First, No results yet. But I'll tell you how the scan went.
On Monday, I had another CT Scan. I drove to the Hospital and headed off to Radiology. It was a tiring exercise, because I was on crutches. (That's another story that I will update you on next.)
Before a CT Scan, I'm not allowed to eat after the night before until after the scan. But I usually eat only a very light breakfast, anyway.
My appointment was at 9:00 a.m. That means that I had to drink half of the chilled barium drink at 7:00 a.m. and the other half at 8:00 a.m. (8:18 a.m., actually.) As a drink, it is very dense. It's like drinking metal. It is also very yucky.
I arrived. The receptionist took me back quickly (because of the crutches.) But she made sure to tease me for my limping presentation. I filled out a little paperwork. Soon, they took me back to the Scan.
An IV was inserted into my right arm. (I have excellent veins in the crook of my right arm. However, every time I go to the doctor's office, the hospital, or anywhere Hodgkin's related, they take blood or put in an IV. It is almost always from the same place; the crook of my right arm. So, my veins there are beginning to develop scar tissue. I don't know that they will always be able to use that spot.)
It took longer than usual. (But still much better than a staging laparotomy.) There were two injections through the IV. Each one, I felt move up my arm and into my chest. It makes me clammy and light headed and gives me a nauseous feeling. I kept my arms at my side after the first injection, and the table moved back and forth taking me through the donut. After the second injection, I raised my arms above my head as the table moved me back and forth through the machine.
After, the scan was complete, the technician reentered the room and removed the IV and taped a cotton swab to my arm. I got up from the table and put my wallet and phone back in my pocket. I replaced my watch on my arm and my crutches were returned. It's not terrible, but it takes me all day for my system to return to normal. They instruct you to drink lots of liquids to get the dye out of the system. I was tired by the time I crutched (What is the term in lieu of walking when you are using crutches?) back out to the car.
I await the results. I hope that the tumors continue to grow only slowly. This will buy me more time between scans and between treatments.
Just a small skirmish in the overall conflict, a part of my life. But, it's not bad. Life is a singular experience filled with adventure where you find it.
Be blessed.
JDS
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