It’s cancer checkup time again. On Friday, I had a CT scan – with a fun and tasty prep! Actually it wasn’t bad at all. I had to drink about a tablespoon of contrast mixed with 20 oz of juice (my choice). After consulting with my friend, Nurse Janet, I chose Gatorade Fruit Punch. It was an excellent choice. I couldn’t taste the Ominpaque at all. I had to drink half of it 90 minutes before the test, and the other half 30 minutes before. Because I’m totally dependent on technology, and because I knew I’d lose track of time while talking to Sia on the phone as I drove to the hospital, I set an alarm on my phone to remind me when to drink the 2nd half. Good thing I did – I totally would have blown the schedule because we were so engrossed in conversation. It must have been very important, because now, I don’t remember a word of it. Kind of like this pic of us. What was so funny at my chemo appointment? Who knows?
Back to Friday… I arrived at radiology right on time (huge surprise!), and they took me on time (even bigger surprise!). I was led through the door to the women’s locker room, told to disrobe from the waist up, and don one of the lovely gowns they had so I could be the fashion icon of radiology. I passed through the door on the other side to the next waiting area. I barely had time to text my whereabouts to my cousin Michelle (we were headed out to lunch afterwards), when my designated tech arrived to escort me to the CT room.
Determined to continue in my role as the fun patient, I joked with the tech guys the whole time. For example. He dropped a plastic coated something on my chest, and I asked what it was (I couldn’t see it from my horizontal vantage point). It was a breast shield. “But,” I said, “My breasts are in my armpits. I’m not sure this will reach that far over.” Yeah, it was Gigglesnort Hotel in there.
At one point, I mentioned the need for tunes (they agreed)… after all, at the other facility, where they do the PET scans, they have a gen-yoo-ine boom box for my listening pleasure. Of course, a CT is no where near as long as a PET, so I guess they just don’t bother. Maybe next time, I’ll bring a portable speaker and play something fun and “adult,” like Dropkick Murphy’s or Lily Allen, via my phone from the chair at the other end of the room.
About 15 minutes later, I was all done. As I chatted with one of the techs when he walked me out, he said, “It’s been a slice.” Get it? Ha ha – that’s some knee-slappin’ good CT humor!
I had my follow-up appointment scheduled for today with Alla. But, she knows me so well, that she emailed me the results that evening. All good! In fact, the scar tissue in my lungs has actually shrunk a milimeter or tenth. So, fast-forward past the long weekend to today. I got The Girl off to school, hit the gym, showered, and made myself all purty for the doc.
It was a quick visit with hugs all around. We chatted about this and that, and she said she’d see me in another 3 months, but no more scans for a year. Yep. I’m a rockstar. So much so, that I was told not to leave yet, because her nurse, Debbie, wanted to say hi. Popular! I’m all about pop-yoo-oo-lar!
So, there you have it. I’m feeling good, healthy, so very thankful. I have friends and acquaintances who are currently battling or have recently lost their battle with cancer. And I have friends and family who are rocking recovery like I am. It does blow my mind how prevalent this fucker is, so peeps, take care of yourselves.
And as always, Fuck Cancer!
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