Week 3 - Thursday 16th April
So we had Easter over the weekend, which would've been a bit strange for most. As I work in food retail, more often than not I'm working the whole of Easter weekend. So being away from family for me wasn't too odd. However Easter weekend I spent a lot of my time napping, as my sleep had been broken. This would be either through my bladder not managing to let me sleep through the night, or pain creeping in.
I'll be honest, I've not done an awful lot over the last week. I've been making notes on how I've been each day, in case I need to refer to a particular event or issue. Our dog absolutely loves being out in the garden when it's warm and sunny, so I've been walking laps around the garden when she's wanted to go outside.
Wednesday was the final piece in the jigsaw day, my PET-CT scan. My appointment was at 5pm, and I had some instructions I needed to follow. I could wear comfy clothes, so long as there's no metal. I could only drink water from 11am (no food, no tea - rudeness, coffee or squash). I tend to drink a lot of fluids anyway, so no real hardship.
The scan itself. This was done by Alliance Medical on behalf of the NHS. I had to do the mandatory questionnaire to complete, and then I was shown into a room. The nurse covered the whole procedure, asked if I had any questions, and were on call during the hour I was to relax. Then another nurse came in to do the injection.
I had a radioactive tracer injected through a cannula in my arm, then had to rest for about an hour while this is absorbed into the body. This highlights any cancer in my body (basically highlights cells which are more active than normal), much better than any previous scans I've had. The scan took around 30 minutes (the time is dependent on what your consultant has asked to be scanned), and I was allowed to leave with some free biscuits and a drink if I wished. There were no ill effects, and I could drive straight home.
If you've had a CT, it's exactly the same, apart from you're radioactive! The tracer was a little cool when injected, but wasn't uncomfortable. The worst part was the needle being injected for the cannula. All the staff were lovely, and always made sure I was comfortable. I won't have any qualms going back.
The results will be sent to my consultant in around 3-4 working days. Following that the clinicians that will be looking after me, have a meeting every Thursday for patients that need treatment, so fingers crossed the results are through and then the next stage will be in action.
Overall, I'm still in good spirits, and just want to know what the battle plan is.
As ever, look out for one another, stay home and stay well. xxx
I'll be honest, I've not done an awful lot over the last week. I've been making notes on how I've been each day, in case I need to refer to a particular event or issue. Our dog absolutely loves being out in the garden when it's warm and sunny, so I've been walking laps around the garden when she's wanted to go outside.
Wednesday was the final piece in the jigsaw day, my PET-CT scan. My appointment was at 5pm, and I had some instructions I needed to follow. I could wear comfy clothes, so long as there's no metal. I could only drink water from 11am (no food, no tea - rudeness, coffee or squash). I tend to drink a lot of fluids anyway, so no real hardship.
The scan itself. This was done by Alliance Medical on behalf of the NHS. I had to do the mandatory questionnaire to complete, and then I was shown into a room. The nurse covered the whole procedure, asked if I had any questions, and were on call during the hour I was to relax. Then another nurse came in to do the injection.
I had a radioactive tracer injected through a cannula in my arm, then had to rest for about an hour while this is absorbed into the body. This highlights any cancer in my body (basically highlights cells which are more active than normal), much better than any previous scans I've had. The scan took around 30 minutes (the time is dependent on what your consultant has asked to be scanned), and I was allowed to leave with some free biscuits and a drink if I wished. There were no ill effects, and I could drive straight home.
If you've had a CT, it's exactly the same, apart from you're radioactive! The tracer was a little cool when injected, but wasn't uncomfortable. The worst part was the needle being injected for the cannula. All the staff were lovely, and always made sure I was comfortable. I won't have any qualms going back.
The results will be sent to my consultant in around 3-4 working days. Following that the clinicians that will be looking after me, have a meeting every Thursday for patients that need treatment, so fingers crossed the results are through and then the next stage will be in action.
Overall, I'm still in good spirits, and just want to know what the battle plan is.
As ever, look out for one another, stay home and stay well. xxx
Leave with free biscuits and a drink? If my hard-earned NHS tax monies were spent on strawberry Jaffa Cakes, I swear I'm going to chair someone.
ReplyDeleteHaha, the great Jaffa Cake biscuit debate! I'm surprised you were ever up that early to witness the strawberry ones, Haiminh! ;)
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