CAT Scan

Yesterday I had to go in for what will probably be the first of a number of CAT scans. CAT, or CT, scans are 3-dimensional x-ray images produced by a scanner rotating around your body and taking a series of 2-dimensional images which are then computationally manipulated to produce a 3d image. The purpose of this scan was to look at my lungs, abdomen and pelvis to see if the cancer had spread and get a better idea about my followup treatment options. The scanner itself looks something like this:
You lie on the bed which is moved through the donut hole-like opening. The scanner rotates around you and as you are moved forward and backwards, it images your body to produce a 3d image. Since I was having chest (lung) and abdomen scans, I had to have an IV contrast and a barium tracer. The IV contrast makes it easier to see blood vessels and the barium tracer highlights the digestive track.

The whole scanning process takes about 5 minutes and the results take about two days to get back. Since I had to have the barium tracer, I had to go to the hospital two hours early and fast for 6 hours before the scan. The tracer was about a liter milkshake like substance that I had to drink 1/4 of every 15 minutes.

I'll probably have to do this scan every 3 or 4 months for the next year, then periodically after that. In the future, I'll pick up the tracer ahead of time so I can get in and get out as quickly as possible. Hospitals are not my favorite place to sit around. Mount Auburn isn't a bad hospital, hospitals are just depressing places in general.

Tomorrow I meet with the surgeon to go over the operation and pathology results. I've already hear them over the phone, but I need to have a copy and talk to the surgeon in person and take notes. I'm not very good with oral instructions and information so its best if I write it down, so instead of posting what I remember here, I'll post what I know tomorrow.