I just came home from my 4th PET Scan @ Scripps Medical Center.
My morning started at 2:15am with a snack since I cannot eat anything for 6 hours prior to my scan. My scan was at 10:30am, but I awoke well in time for something to snack on. So I had a half a banana, an itty-bitty slice of lean meat and then a handful of raw almonds. Then chugged water. I woke up again at 4:15am still in time to eat something, but decided my sleep was more important at this point. Got up @ 7am and began my day.
Took off to the hospital with my hubby. He's such a great support and I KNOW how lucky I am to have such great support when others out there don't ever have anyone go to the doctor with them let alone to a test such as this one. But he's always there for me. He's wonderful!
Drove down to La Jolla without any incident, thank GOD. Traffic was pretty decent at this time of morning. No idiots darting in and out of traffic.
Upon arrival to the pavillion my testing takes place at on this medical center campus, I had to do my usual paperwork, but before long, Mark, my technician came out to get me. I hadn't even ingested my 1 quart of lovely liquid. Mark told me we could get it all done in the back this time. So off we went with all my stuff in hand and waving at my hubby as I left the waiting area. Thank goodness I have my knitting or crocheting projects with me whenever I go to a docs office now. It keeps me sane and calm.
Got to the back and immediately get situated with my warming blanket that has a blower attached to it that keeps you nice and toasty warm cuz they have to keep everything back there practically at sub-zero degrees. Keep germs/bacteria from growing..........I can deal with the cold as well as the warm. My body is always so warm these days since I'm "menopausing." ARGGGHHH.....But I embrace it rather than complain about it. It is what it is, right?
Mark had to take my blood sugar level to begin with by pricking my finger. I was fine. Can't perform this test if I am diabetic - may give false positives. Then he had to start a port in my arm so he could inject the radioactive material -- the contrast -- into my veins called: Omnipaque. No, it doesn't burn, hurt or anything. Just gets main-lined into my body. The idea is that it will highlight any cancer that may be in my body/organs.
So, of course, being who I am, I start my mantra/praying that it's not going to stick to anything. It's going to go through my body and right back out! While I was there I did pee a few times! I know, TMI, but you get the gist of it, right? After he injected the contrast, he removed the port from my arm. Then, this was a first for me, he asked me if I wanted crystal lite in my 1 quart of fluid to help ingest it better! Wow, I was so thrilled to find out they offer this now! Simple things make me so happy, I know. So I chose the lemonade flavor! Have to smile...or even giggle...I did both.
When he brought my "cocktail" to me, we toasted to a successful test and I ingested that quart down with no problem. I downed it in less than 5 minutes. It was really tasty. WHATEVER, RIGHT? Like I said before, simple pleasures. Hey, if you have to go through this type of procedure, you want it in the easiest way possible.
Then I sat there for 45 minutes till it was well absorbed into my body along with the contrast.
I sat there in my easy chair all toasty warm crocheting my latest afghan. I love, love, love my zen with knitting and crocheting. Anyway, before I knew it, it was time to go get into the cat scan machine and close my eyes and go to my happy place for 35 minutes. They play this background music for distraction purposes -- it was very native american sounding -- loved it. made it easier for me to go to my happy place. After it was finished, I was escorted out of room, met up with Mark my technician which he said to me, go out and enjoy the rest of your day. Your doctor will have the results by tomorrow. As I said my good-byes, I had to exhale and walk out with my dignity still in tact. No big whoop, right? Let's keep praying nothing is trying to come back. But once again, in my heart of hearts, I know nothing is there. How could it come back when I had some major drugs and radiation pulsated through my body. I know there is that possibility, but I choose to be only HOPEFUL! I can't be going through all this for nothing. I can't. I feel it in my soul. Either way, it's done and finished and the results are in. I wonder what it must be like for the doctor to read all these results and make determinations in peoples lives each and everday. Meanwhile, we, the patient, sit and wonder or we do our best to distract ourselves and try to maintain our daily lives without getting too caught up in the unknown. What a process. What a journey for all. It's true that it takes a community................
So Jim and I got in the car and swifty drove to Little Italy in San Diego. My first time there. It was really wonderful and relaxing. We were going to go to a trendy restaurant when we passed by a cool little pizzeria. It was so much like Italy that I had to stop there and order a couple slices. YUMMO! We sat on the sidewalk munching away. Finally, my blood sugar level was back to it's norm! I had food in me! My perspective was back on track. Hadn't eaten since 2:15am and was grateful I had done that but i was way empty of nutrients.
After our meal we found out about an Italian bakery. We eventually found it and went in for the kill on cookies! YUMMO! Oh, boy did I enjoy a good cookie!
Our drive home was much more blissful, I have to say, then going down to my test. And I'm a firm believer of making sure to do something good for oneself after any kind of test or appointment when it can be stressful. So that's my thing to do for the day.
Since I've been home, I've slowly but surely have felt the emotional letdown of the day. I didn't do anything in my normal way, but am bushed. It's in my head, I realize, but I go with it and am now writing my thoughts down whether anyone cares or now. It's, once again, for me to get it out of me and my body/head. Have to. But the good news is I am looking forward................in the future..............Tomorrow I continue on getting ready for my husband's 50th birthday party. Having a small gathering but it's still organization of foods, drinks, and stuff.....Can't wait for his day and see his smiling face enjoy. That gives me pleasure big time to know I can feel like I can do something for him and stand in the background watching him enjoy his party with his new friends. And I love the fact he's FINALLY 50! Yes, I'm the older woman in his life -- I'm his cougar. LOL!!
Cups staying Half Full. Till my results come in. Please keep us in your prayers and good thoughts.
Ciao, Ciao!
My morning started at 2:15am with a snack since I cannot eat anything for 6 hours prior to my scan. My scan was at 10:30am, but I awoke well in time for something to snack on. So I had a half a banana, an itty-bitty slice of lean meat and then a handful of raw almonds. Then chugged water. I woke up again at 4:15am still in time to eat something, but decided my sleep was more important at this point. Got up @ 7am and began my day.
Took off to the hospital with my hubby. He's such a great support and I KNOW how lucky I am to have such great support when others out there don't ever have anyone go to the doctor with them let alone to a test such as this one. But he's always there for me. He's wonderful!
Drove down to La Jolla without any incident, thank GOD. Traffic was pretty decent at this time of morning. No idiots darting in and out of traffic.
Upon arrival to the pavillion my testing takes place at on this medical center campus, I had to do my usual paperwork, but before long, Mark, my technician came out to get me. I hadn't even ingested my 1 quart of lovely liquid. Mark told me we could get it all done in the back this time. So off we went with all my stuff in hand and waving at my hubby as I left the waiting area. Thank goodness I have my knitting or crocheting projects with me whenever I go to a docs office now. It keeps me sane and calm.
Got to the back and immediately get situated with my warming blanket that has a blower attached to it that keeps you nice and toasty warm cuz they have to keep everything back there practically at sub-zero degrees. Keep germs/bacteria from growing..........I can deal with the cold as well as the warm. My body is always so warm these days since I'm "menopausing." ARGGGHHH.....But I embrace it rather than complain about it. It is what it is, right?
Mark had to take my blood sugar level to begin with by pricking my finger. I was fine. Can't perform this test if I am diabetic - may give false positives. Then he had to start a port in my arm so he could inject the radioactive material -- the contrast -- into my veins called: Omnipaque. No, it doesn't burn, hurt or anything. Just gets main-lined into my body. The idea is that it will highlight any cancer that may be in my body/organs.
So, of course, being who I am, I start my mantra/praying that it's not going to stick to anything. It's going to go through my body and right back out! While I was there I did pee a few times! I know, TMI, but you get the gist of it, right? After he injected the contrast, he removed the port from my arm. Then, this was a first for me, he asked me if I wanted crystal lite in my 1 quart of fluid to help ingest it better! Wow, I was so thrilled to find out they offer this now! Simple things make me so happy, I know. So I chose the lemonade flavor! Have to smile...or even giggle...I did both.
When he brought my "cocktail" to me, we toasted to a successful test and I ingested that quart down with no problem. I downed it in less than 5 minutes. It was really tasty. WHATEVER, RIGHT? Like I said before, simple pleasures. Hey, if you have to go through this type of procedure, you want it in the easiest way possible.
Then I sat there for 45 minutes till it was well absorbed into my body along with the contrast.
I sat there in my easy chair all toasty warm crocheting my latest afghan. I love, love, love my zen with knitting and crocheting. Anyway, before I knew it, it was time to go get into the cat scan machine and close my eyes and go to my happy place for 35 minutes. They play this background music for distraction purposes -- it was very native american sounding -- loved it. made it easier for me to go to my happy place. After it was finished, I was escorted out of room, met up with Mark my technician which he said to me, go out and enjoy the rest of your day. Your doctor will have the results by tomorrow. As I said my good-byes, I had to exhale and walk out with my dignity still in tact. No big whoop, right? Let's keep praying nothing is trying to come back. But once again, in my heart of hearts, I know nothing is there. How could it come back when I had some major drugs and radiation pulsated through my body. I know there is that possibility, but I choose to be only HOPEFUL! I can't be going through all this for nothing. I can't. I feel it in my soul. Either way, it's done and finished and the results are in. I wonder what it must be like for the doctor to read all these results and make determinations in peoples lives each and everday. Meanwhile, we, the patient, sit and wonder or we do our best to distract ourselves and try to maintain our daily lives without getting too caught up in the unknown. What a process. What a journey for all. It's true that it takes a community................
So Jim and I got in the car and swifty drove to Little Italy in San Diego. My first time there. It was really wonderful and relaxing. We were going to go to a trendy restaurant when we passed by a cool little pizzeria. It was so much like Italy that I had to stop there and order a couple slices. YUMMO! We sat on the sidewalk munching away. Finally, my blood sugar level was back to it's norm! I had food in me! My perspective was back on track. Hadn't eaten since 2:15am and was grateful I had done that but i was way empty of nutrients.
After our meal we found out about an Italian bakery. We eventually found it and went in for the kill on cookies! YUMMO! Oh, boy did I enjoy a good cookie!
Our drive home was much more blissful, I have to say, then going down to my test. And I'm a firm believer of making sure to do something good for oneself after any kind of test or appointment when it can be stressful. So that's my thing to do for the day.
Since I've been home, I've slowly but surely have felt the emotional letdown of the day. I didn't do anything in my normal way, but am bushed. It's in my head, I realize, but I go with it and am now writing my thoughts down whether anyone cares or now. It's, once again, for me to get it out of me and my body/head. Have to. But the good news is I am looking forward................in the future..............Tomorrow I continue on getting ready for my husband's 50th birthday party. Having a small gathering but it's still organization of foods, drinks, and stuff.....Can't wait for his day and see his smiling face enjoy. That gives me pleasure big time to know I can feel like I can do something for him and stand in the background watching him enjoy his party with his new friends. And I love the fact he's FINALLY 50! Yes, I'm the older woman in his life -- I'm his cougar. LOL!!
Cups staying Half Full. Till my results come in. Please keep us in your prayers and good thoughts.
Ciao, Ciao!
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