October 18. I wake up early thinking that I might have a bite of yogurt before my 6-hour fasting time officially begins at 7:00 a.m. But I’m just not hungry. I have a big glass of water and read emails and play a game on my tablet. I never do eat. I just drink water switching from cold water to cups of hot water. I drink lots and lots of water while I lie on the bed watching TV. Rest and relaxation is also a requirement.
We leave a bit early so I can drop something off at the College where I work. I’ve got a caffeine headache and am feeling anxious. When we are almost to the College I get sick. Really sick. Too much water maybe. Ugh.
When we get to the hospital I take half a valium. We check-in. At 1:30 p.m. a young man named Ivan (I think that was his name) comes out to walk me to the mobile PET scan unit parked behind the hospital. Steve isn’t allowed to come. He’s told it will be about two hours. There’s no room for anyone other than patients (two max) and the two technician’s. I let Ivan know I’ve been sick. Likely motion sickness.
The unit has a tiny, dark room at one end. They guide me into the room and onto a recliner chair. They bring me a thin blanket. I get asked a lot of questions about allergies, other surgeries, medications, etc. The imaging technician (can’t remember his name) explains the procedure and why I needed to fast and why I needed to drink so much water. Here’s a link to more information about PET scans.
Once I am injected, they instruct me to sit quietly for the next 30 to 40 minutes. Before they close the door I’m given a barf bag, just in case. Good call. I get sick again.
Next they guide me to the opposite end of the unit and lie me down on the scanner table. I put my arms over my head and am told to relax. They close the door and the scan commences.
Once the scan is done they sit me up and ask how I’m doing. Okay. After a few minutes I stand up to leave. On my way to the lift, I am overcome with nausea. They help sit me down and give me another barf bag. I tell them how kind they are and get sick again. Such a lightweight.
Finally I am in the waiting room and Steve guides me out to the car. We make it nearly all the way home before I get sick again. I am weak and have a splitting headache.
At home I go to bed and am miserable. I try drinking tea and eating toast but only manage a sip or two and a nibble of toast. Later I manage a couple bites of yogurt. It is all I can do to get out of bed to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I look at my phone to check for text messages, I am shocked that it is 9:15 p.m.
lana has cancer 