Yesterday was CT scan day. The scan was scheduled for 8:30 AM but since I have to drink the contrast material before the scan I was supposed to be at the Diagnostic Center at 7:45. Of course, it was another cold, cold day. The temperature was around 25 degrees when we left home and the sun was in the process of getting up. In fact, the moon hadn't yet gone to bed and was hanging like a big silver balloon in the western sky as we crested the hill on our way to the back road. We had decided to go the back way because bridge construction/road widening on our usual route had slowed traffic to a crawl last time we took that route. So off we drove, heading east into the rising sun. It's lucky we made it safely, since the sun was blindingly bright and the bare trees on the side of the road did little to block its glare.
But we arrived safely, with a few minutes to spare. While Mr. G went to park the car I headed to the lab in the oncology clinic so they could access my port. I discovered last time I had a scan in the diagnostic center that they were not able to access the port, so I had to have the contrast dye injected via an IV in my arm. With my rolling veins and the multiple jabs it takes to get an IV needle placed I end up with some nasty looking bruises. Once I had the port accessed I headed across the hall to sign in for the scan. The barium contract material that they give you to drink at home doesn't agree with me so I get an iodinated radiopaque contrast medium once I arrive at the clinic. They brought me a big bottle of the stuff to drink and told me they would call me back in about thirty minutes. One of the unfortunate possibilities with the contrast medium is that it can have a laxative effect, so I had to make several quick trips to the restroom. They finally called me back, took a blood test to check my kidney function, told me to wait, and brought me yet another cup of the contrast medium to drink. I couldn't get all of it down, but the tech told me I had gotten enough down. Then I was called in to the lovely machine, positioned on the table, hooked up to an IV for the final contrast and slid in and out of the doughnut hole while a stern male voice bellowed, "BREATHE IN" "HOLD YOUR BREATH" and finally, "BREATHE." Then they began the IV and my mouth was filled with a metallic taste, I felt warm all over and had the sensation of wetting myself as the contrast solution made its way through my veins. A couple more times of sliding in and out of the hole and we were finished. I went back to the lab to have them flush my port and remove the needle and we headed home.
Once at home, thanks to the previously mentioned laxative effect, which may have been enhanced by my having eaten lobster and shrimp on the two previous days, I spent a large part of the afternoon in the bathroom, which was a shame since it was one of those lovely, sunshiny days that are so rare lately.
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, the scan results were posted on my doctor's patient portal site late yesterday evening and I was able to see that everything was stable and there was "No evidence of new or worsening metastatic disease." It is indeed very nice to be spared the scanxiety that creeps in while you're waiting to learn the results of scans and tests.
Today was another cold, gray day. I thought such a day called for a nice warming meal, so prepared roasted chicken with root vegetables. I tried a new method of roasting the chicken, which was a big disappointment and has convinced me to stick with my old tried and true method in the future. I also must confess that until tonight I had never cooked and eaten a rutabaga. And I probably won't cook and eat another. All in all, it was a disappointing meal, but you win some and lose some.
The temperatures are supposed to be warmer tonight- in the 40s instead of the 20s, and the daytime temps tomorrow will be warmer. I am definitely ready for some spring weather so I can get out and dig in the dirt, move the plants out of the greenhouse and get the garden planted. But not yet. I just don't trust Mother Nature anymore and wouldn't be at all surprised if she pulled another of her sneaky tricks with an April snow or some such thing.
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