PET Scan - Not so furry and cuddly

Bright and early this morning, I had my first PET scan ever.  I had looked on the web to see what to expect and also talked to one of the lovely ladies in my online support group.  I'm really glad I had some idea of what to expect.  It was actually a very interesting process.

Prep started yesterday where I was instructed to not do any physical activity.  I decided that meant I couldn't do laundry, cook, or do the dishes.  Then no food after midnight.  I was fine with that since I am not a middle of the night snacker.  This morning, I dropped Philip off at school and headed to the hospital.  I'm starting to feel comfortable around that hospital again.

I changed my clothes and then went into a dimly lit room.  They checked my glucose and put in an IV.  Much to my surprise, I had to drink a bottle of glucose contrast.  It wasn't the chalky contrast I hate but it was a glucose liquid that they flavor with Lemon Crystal Light.  Now I remember why I don't really care for lemonade!  But I couldn't just drink it all at once.  I had to drink 2 cups quickly and then waited 45 minutes and had to drink 2 more.  I could not go to the bathroom during that time.   Most interesting is they brought in this metal container of nuclear radioactive agent and promptly put it right in my vein.  Am I the only one that thinks it is weird they are suited up for safety and I am sitting there in my gown with it pumping directly into my body??? 

Well I was told I had to sit as still as possible without moving my arms, legs, fingers or toes.  I guess any form of movement will show up as a hot spot...even looking at the clock would show. They gave me a warmed blanket, pushed back the recliner, turned on my ipod for me (that was even too strenuous) and left me for 40 minutes.  They came back and had me drink my 2 more cups and then I had to wait 5 minutes before I could go to the bathroom.  They told me to go to the bathroom fast and do my best to empty my bladder and bowels.  No problem there!  Then they took me to the room and the tube.

My head was placed in a stabilizer, a bolster put under my knees, and my arms placed over my head.  He told me to get comfortable as I couldn't move one stitch for 45 minutes.  The tube wasn't as tight as when I had my MRI and it was mostly silent.  You could cross your arms if you really tried but that was about it.  I slid in to the top and back out quickly.  Then they slid me back in through the top and slowly back out.  Then they slide me back in very slowly.  They told me that would be the CT Scan.  When I got to the top, it stopped again and I came back out very slow....like probably 30 minutes slow.  And that was it.  My shoulders are surprisingly sore from being over my head but otherwise, I am good.

Interesting though, they took my gauze to dispose of correctly because it was radioactive.  I also put my gown in a special container.  There was a different bathroom patients use versus the staff.  I can't  help but wonder if it is safe to pee at home or if I need to burn my clothes tonight in some special incinerator!  haha

The good news is I immediately made friends with the nuclear diagnostics guy, John.  He was so funny and we laughed the entire time.  He came to get me out of the tube and told me with a straight face that the machine malfunctioned and I would need to start over.  I laughed and told him fine, but  he will have to wait until next week.  He was quite disappointed that I wasn't more phased by his joke.

He wouldn't tell me what he saw.  He said there are lots of things that light up that aren't cancer.  I said "Oh so I did light up like a Christmas Tree".  But he laughed and said not necessarily.  He did say he could see where I've been giving myself my Methotrexate injections.  Isn't that weird it is so sensitive?

So I am back home trying to get my stomach to calm down from the contrast.  I'm back to work and trying to not worry about the next step.  He did say I was the first patient of the day and thought results will be online later today.  He also said it would be 48 hours before Dr. L will have them and could help me understand them.  You know I'm going to look.  Curiosity killed the cat right?  Maybe that isn't a good saying in this case...but it does tie back into the PET subject.  Hahaha.

UPDATE - I peeked at my online results.  It says:  "While not formally interpreted, no hypermetabolic activity identified to suggest a site of active lymphoma."  I think that is good news.  Says they scanned from mid thigh to my brain.  I'll wait to hear from Dr. L but I feel a huge sense of relief for now.