Thursday, January 18, 2007

We started out the day looking for the RMCC Aurora location. For some reason I didn't even think to Google it! We knew the general area so I guess I didn't even think about it! We found it just fine and saw the PET mobile scanning trailer out side of the building. I really like the early morning appointment...you get in on time, no waiting for someone else that showed up late. They had a styrofoam coffee cup waiting for me with at first glance looked like milk but when it moved it appeared more like Elmers glue!!! Went down that way too! (not that I ever ate glue at school!!!!) Nothing like starting your day with a big ol' glass of Barium! Because I was having a PET/CT they wanted the Barium to provide some contrast for the CT scan, as I understand it it helps the computer to stitch the two scans together giving the docs an even better image to review.

While I was chugging my Elmers, the nurse put in an IV into the arm. We went over some paperwork and then we were off to the trailer. Andrea couldn't go with me on this one and had to go hang out in the waiting room. Once in the trailer they put my in a recliner and covered me with blankets...still a bit chilly in there since it was only 5 degrees outside! She injected a little water into the vein and then the gluecose and radioactive isotopes. I was told at that point to relax, don't move, don't talk, don't do anything. So, I took a nap! About 45 minutes later they got me, we went back to the building to use the bathroom and then back to the trailer.

The scanner was very similar to a normal CT scanner just deeper in the tube. They first took a CT of the entire body and then the PET started. It would scan me in one spot for a few minutes and then move me up what felt like 8 to 12 inches and continue the scan. All total it took 27 minutes for the scan. It was no big deal at all. The scanner doesn't make any loud thumping noises or anything...pretty sure I snoozed through some of this as well! We will have the results on Monday when we meet with Dr. Reznick.

I did get an appointment setup with Dr. Leonard, the Radiology Oncologist for next Thursday at 10:30. By that point we will know a lot more and will hopefully be setting up my schedule for the RT.