It’s my birthday this week. I’m very happy to celebrate it, but with my next treatment on Monday, January 8, I don’t think I’ll be having a big celebration.
Scan & Contrast
For last week’s CT scan, we’re still waiting to go over the results with my oncologist. I wanted to let you know how happy I was with the procedure itself:
About 30 years ago, when I experienced my first kidney stone, I received an iodine-based contrast from the radiologist. During the procedure, my nose started to itch, I sneezed, and then my breathing went very shallow. They immediately stopped the procedure, and the doctor flushed my line and gave me some medication. My shallow breathing began to become more normal. A nurse came in and spoke with me, “I don’t know what he’s going to write up on the report, but that was a significant reaction. In the future, always let them know you are allergic to iodine.” I am forever grateful for that instruction, and I’ve always let my medical staff know.
However, this meant my radiology exams would not be as clear as with the contrast.
Well, now this time, with the cancer, my oncologist requested I get a CT scan with the contrast. He prepped me with steroids and benadryl, and other than the benadryl knocking me out for almost a full day, I was able to handle the contrast.
As I left the radiology department, I felt such joy, but I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was a combination of two things:
1) I didn’t stop breathing during the contrast. The amount of relief I felt was so much greater than any perceived concern. Once again, I wonder if I know what I’m feeling in the moment.
2) I now have a way to take the contrast, so my CT scans and other procedures may potentially be clearer and more accurate, which at this point is very very important to me.
Christmas
Christmas was nice, as was New Year’s, but both were overshadowed by my chemo schedule. I was more just tracking when I had to go in and figuring my recovery time. Same goes with my birthday. There are a bunch of medical appointments kinda taking precedence over any celebrations.
Months ago, I thought it would be nice to go out of town or on a hike for my birthday, but I don’t think that’ll work out this time. My team is trying to take care of me and make sure I’m not just a chemo-driven robot. I appreciate them trying to make sure I’m living life and being human.
Happy new year,
P
