The PET scan

No one had given me such a thorough prep instruction as the Imaging Sciences Center sent me for today's PET scan. I had been told before about not participating in any vigorous exercise, not eating or drinking anything for 6 hours before the test.

But these instructions said for the whole day before I was not to have any caffeine, alcohol or carbohydrates. In addition, at the Yale Cancer Clinic, since I am allergic to IVP dye, and since they put their IVP dye in their barium solution, I didn't get any barium solution.

Also at Yale, I had to repeat to every single person I dealt with that I was allergic to IVP dye, and I worried that if I should be unconscious, there would be no one to tell them not to give me IVP dye. Even the oncologist had to be told EVERY time not to schedule tests that require the dye.

Here, the moment I walked through the door, they put a red wrist tag on my arm with an allergy alert on it. AND they confirmed verbally that I had the allergy, and gave me the barium sans IVP. The nurse doing the prep and IV installation told me the reasons why they ask that there be no caffeine, no alcohol, no carbs.

They were very good reasons, and I was beginning to suspect that the tests I had done at Yale had been compromised. Here they also hooked up an IV, something I had not had before. She explained that since the kidneys are always working, as is the heart, they will attract a lot of the radioactive glucose solution. If the ensure that I can expel fluids before the test, it will clear up that area so they can see more clearly. The nurse was attentive when I told her I have very tiny veins - most lab people just grunt and then proceed to have to stick me repeatedly until they can manage to squeeze in a larger needle. Half the time it blows and they need to redo it.

This nurse listened, looked at my arms, then said, "I'm going to get a pediatric needle." She got it easily the first stick. Kudos for thinking that I might know a little something about my own body!

So they tilted back the easy chair, wrapped me head and arms and my legs in warm blankets (which also helps the blood flow and makes the test results better), and tiptoed out. Every ten minutes or so, one of the staff peeked in, checked the IV levels, and left quietly.

I closed my eyes and dozed, my thoughts wandering from children to music to beautiful places I have been. At one point I smiled a little, thinking of that cliche "Go to your quiet place." When I was pregnant and enduring labor pain, the Lamaze coaches taught us to think of a calm beach or a vacation place that we really liked, and visualize being there, experiencing the sensations of that environment (the sound of the waves rolling up on the beach, the sound of the wind in the palm trees, the warmth of the sand beneath you, the warmth of the sun, etc.)

I hadn't thought of that in years, and I cast about in my mind for a place where I wanted to be, someplace carefree and relaxing. I used to think of beaches and mountains and lakes. But now, though I could easily visualize those places, including extraordinary sunrises and sunsets, I found no particular joy and strength in being there.

Instead, I visualized being in my Father's arms, my heavenly Father, cuddled up like a child with my head on His shoulder, feeling His strong arms around me, knowing I was safe. It was the best place for me to be. Too soon the radiologist came to get me, having me stop at the bathroom first.

What a difference their care and attention to details made to my confidence levels! Also, their CT scanner and their PET scanner were 2 separate units, located one behind the other. It was quite clear when they were doing the CT scan and when they were doing the PET part.

As we were finishing, the nurse told me that I would be "somewhat radioactive" for the next several hours. When I use the facilities wherever I am, I need to flush twice and wash my hands very well. And I shouldn't be holding any babies or pets, much less kissing them. Stay a good arms' length for people, and rest assured, it will all go away rapidly.

Well, we shall see if all this additional precaution makes a difference in the test results!