Just kidding. Sounded like a nice dramatic header.
So, my last CT scan wasn't too hot. Some activity with my lymph nodes around my stomach area now. Why is it all about the lymphs? I forgot to ask Dr. Dummypants that.
She ordered a PET scan which is a CT scan plus some other scans to give a more accurate picture of what's going on. You get a glucose sort of solution into your veins and then the sugar is attracted tot he cancer cells so they can see where activity is taking place.
I was set for the PET scan on the 16th of November. 24 hours prior you have to eat a very low carb diet so that your sugars are not mucking up the results.
Dr. Dummypants said, however, that I would not need to take my normal steroid preparation (some steroid pills and Benadryl because of my allergy to the IV contrast for CT scans) because I wouldn't be getting the usual CT scan. Lovely, I hate taking the steroid prep.
HOWEVER...
when the scheduling nurse was talking to me she said "I'll call in your steroid prep" and I said "I don't need one" and she said "yeah, I think you do.. " and I said "could you please check?". So she checks and comes back saying "yeah, you need it so I'll call in the prescription yadda yadda".
As it happens, steroids can really raise your glucose levels. For the PET scan your glucose needs to be under 200. No problem.. except if you're taking steroids.
IDIOTS.
So along with not eating carbs for 24 hours, I had to wake up twice in the middle of the night to feed myself steroids all for nothing.
My sugar level was 240 and they were unable to administer the test. I'd been hooked up to an IV already (seriously how big is that needle anyway?) and sat there for 40 minutes getting pumped with saline when the nurse came in to tell me I had to go home.
I was angry but I always shrug that stuff off. I know they don't mean it but I've run into a lot of these types of things. But this time I KNEW I wasn't supposed to take the steroid prep and the woman did NOT, in fact, check. The nurse who assisted me before the scan was supposed to happen said they never give IV contrast... it's oral. So either that scheduling woman lied or misunderstood the contrast IV/oral.
ANYWAY
I have another appointment for November 28th.
I'm feeling pretty awful too. It feels like my lower back hurts and my kidneys. My back is very tender like it's bruised. I also have a lump on the side of my neck. JOY!!
It's really quite torturous at times. The fear, the anxiety, the waiting. It's an endless cycle. The only time I do feel OK is while I'm getting treatment. Physically it makes me feel poorly but mentally I think "well at least I'm doing something about it".
It's exhausting.
I guess I should try some yoga or SOMETHING to decompress.
Just an update. I don't feel like unlocking any interesting thoughts.
Shhh... quiet...
ZZzzzZzZzzzz
