PET CT Scan... Completed!!

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

I had been waiting for this Wednesday for a long time.

Today, I got my PET CT scan out of the way!  See the way I look at it, is that each test, each appointment gets me one step closer to my surgery date and one step closer to the road of recovery!!

We woke up bright and early at 5:30 and got 'ready' for my doctors appointment.  I put ready in quotations because there isn't much to get ready for.  Mostly, pack-up the hotel room and get on the road.  Connected to the hotel was a Starbucks.  Nate stopped in to grab a latte and a warm blueberry scone.  I can't tell you how good a warm blueberry scone smells in the morning... especially when you are FASTING!!

We didn't have far to drive and before I knew it, we arrived at the parking structure.  China Basin (where my test was completed) is across the street from Giants Stadium!!

We found our suite in no time.  We were there 15 minutes before they even opened!  I snapped this photo of a tree made of origami cranes when we were waiting for the doors to open.  I remember my sister folding 100's of these cranes a while back.  I remember her telling me that they are supposed to bring good luck.  I instantly felt like she was there with us.

We were the first patients in imaging so as soon as we got there we were whisked directly into the CT room.  I sat in a side room and waited for the nurse to come in.  Each contact I had with a nurse, they would ask me if I was drinking water.  It is important that I have enough water in me so that the scans show up clear.  He set up the IV with some saline.  Then he left for a little bit and came back with a metal box that contained the next syringe.  This syringe was incased in metal.  I asked about it and he told me that it is Radioactive Sugars.  He told me that I shouldn't feel any different.  He went on to explain the half-life, etc.  He then walked Nate and I over to a waiting room.  I was instructed not to move, especially not to talk (Nate was laughing so hard at that instruction)!!  He told me that 1 hour will allow the sugars to metabolize in my body.  If I were to talk a lot, the sugars would settle in my jaw area.  He covered me with a warm blanket, and left.

About 15 minutes later, I started feeling so light headed, an sweaty.  I hurried quickly to the restroom where I threw-up.  Nate ran and got the nurse.  The nurse took me quickly to the nursing station where I laid down for the remaining time.

When the hour was up, I was taken back into the PET scan room and set-up on the table.  He strapped me in, covered me with a warm blanket and then injected my IV with Iodine.  Now that was a really strange feeling!!  Hot and suffocating all over, but the uncomfortable feeling ends within 3 minutes. The Nurse turned on Jack Johnson in the room and even brought Nate in the room.  In all honesty, I fell asleep for most of the scan.

When we were all done, I was instructed to drink a LOT of water to flush the chemicals out.

Afterwards, we walked around China Basin to find some breakfast.  We both choose a yummy bagel sandwich  from a local shop!

I must say that Im really thankful that my husband has a great job and a very understanding boss.  He is able to take me to my appointments and is able to work from another city!! Im SO grateful!

Yesterday afternoon, Regina called me to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. O'Donnell Thursday morning at 8am.  Dr. O'Donnell wants to go over the results of my scans the very next day!!

I can't wait for my tomorrow morning appointment!  One step closer to surgery, then onto the road of recovery!

Thanks for reading!!