SCAN 101

Thanks to a PSA that doubled in a short time recently,  I was sent off to spend the better part of yesterday being scanned.   I remember the first time I was going to be “scanned”.   My fascination with Science Fiction terrified me when thinking about being “scanned”. 

CAT and Bone Scans, those seemingly  “scary scary”, are cake walks.  The worst that happens to you is a “slight poke” as they put the IV in…if you need an IV.

So I thought I’d share yesterday.  Yesterday that was filled with people that helped.  People that cared.  

 

This is where my day started.  My best friend dropped me off.  Having a ride is a great thing.  Especially if your friend or spouse can deliver you.  No reason for them to stay unless you want them too.  Trust me they will be bored as ultimately you will be to.

OK, it’s blurry and scary.  It’s also taken apart for QC.  They knew I was showing up so they wanted to make sure it was running fine for me.  This is the bone scan machine in what they call nuclear medicine.  The big thing at the top.  Well that’s the thing that comes down really close to you, scares the crap out of you because you think it is going to squish you, but ultimately takes pictures of your bones which saves you.

 

Before you have a bone scan they will have to put an isotope in you.  No worries about that you won’t glow.  The isotope, without being technical, helps “develop” the bone scan picture.  Doesn’t even hurt and if you don’t like needles….well they don’t really use needles.  Today’s needles look like a small plastic tube thing and they don’t even hurt.

I had two scans yesterday.  This is the “contrast” they make you drink for the CAT scan.  No biggy, tastes like nothing, but does waste an hour of your life as you sip.  For some reason they won’t let you just guzzle it.  So make sure you bring a book or something to entertain.  Oh and you can't eat four hours before, so make sure you have that late night snack.

And here is the CAT scan machine.  It’s blurry but look to the right of the doughnut.  Your IV will hook to that apparatus for about 30 seconds.  They will “push” some more “contrast” into you.  Here’s the cool thing.  When they do that…you’ll get a weird taste in your mouth and you will feel like you are peeing your pants even though you aren’t.  How many times during all of this do you wish you could pee your pants?

 

OK so it’s posed and my “bone scan” friend took the shot.  I’ve done this five times now.  The first time.  Wow.  I was terrified.  Ask questions if you are worried.  Talk, smile and participate.

Oh…the folks in the room with you.  They are there for you.