Update on Tests

• Things work slower in the “real” world, rather than what the doctors THINK should happen. My tests won’t actually be done until Thursday & Friday of this week, then I will have a follow-up consult with the oncology doctor next Thursday – July 2. After that we should be ready to develop some kind of a plan.

• In preparation for the PET/CAT scan on Thursday, I have to drink lots and lots of water on Wednesday. Also, no exercise and no heavy lifting (no problem!). Also, I can eat protein “only” on Wednesday – meaning meats or seafood, eggs. Also I can have leafy vegetables like broccoli (which I love) and garden salad, with vinegar & oil dressing. Nothing more to eat after dinner until after the PET/CT scan (I’m not really sure what to call it…………some people refer to the procedure as PET/CT & others as PET/CAT. So I use them both as well.

• Thursday morning I get to brush my teeth (probably more of the technicians than me!) and then NO FOOD. But I do need to drink a minimum of three 8-oz. glasses of water by 10:15am. Fortunately the check-in nurse said that I would be allowed to go to the bathroom to get rid of this water! Whew. They just want to make sure that I’m plenty hydrated so that the scan will be as accurate as possible.

• I guess they will start an IV-line and then insert a contrast dye through my veins. They’ll put me in a chair, wrap me in a blankie, turn down the lights and let the dye swirl through my body for 60 minutes. The scan then will take about 45 minutes. They’ll scan me from the top of my head to my knees in an attempt to figure out just exactly where the mass is located. Then by noon I should be headed back to my sister’s.

• Friday the EUS procedure (some kind of a special ultrasound) starts at 6:30am. Apparently there’s a 90-minute check-in process, 45-minute procedure & 60-minute recovery. Should be leaving there hopefully around 10am.

• So……………….., now that you have the timeline and the procedures, you know what to pray for.

• Thanks to everyone that has been helping me through this. All of your emails, cards and phone calls have really been appreciated.

• I’m starting each day feeling about 50% better than the previous day. At this rate, my family won’t be able to stand me soon. No, wait……they said they can’t stand me now! (just kidding). I love my family, even when they pick on me…..which is pretty much all of the time.

Having more than just a "little" trouble with blogger this evening. Doesn't seem to want to work for me AT ALL. Thus the reason for all of the bullet items.