Google says: A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that allows doctors to check for disease in your body. The scan uses radioactive tracers in a special dye. These tracers are injected into a vein in your arm and are then absorbed by your organs and tissues. When highlighted under a PET scanner, the tracers allow doctors to see how well your organs and tissues are working. The PET scan is able to measure blood flow, oxygen use, glucose metabolism (how your body uses sugar), and much more.
My sweet Laura had come over last night with Heather. Since my appointment was for 10:00 a.m. she figured it would be wise to come spend the night so we could get up early and make the appointment on time. I know it's a huge sacrifice for Laura to pack up all of Heather's things and come over here. It disrupts their schedule and their family time, but never once has Laura complained. She's a real trooper.
We got up early this morning, showered, and they had breakfast. I was instructed not to eat anything before the test. I hadn't had anything since last night at 6 p.m. when I drank a protein shake and I was famished, but I knew if I broke even one of the rules that had been given to me in preparation for the test, I'd be back at square one.
About 9:15 a.m. Laura began loading up the car. She had to transfer Heather's car seat into my car and make sure it was in securely. Finally we got on the road and headed toward Sharpsburg. When we arrived at the Piedmont Medical building, I checked in and began filling out paperwork.
Soon a nurse called me back and Laura took Heather to do a little shopping while they waited on me. I had to have my finger pricked so they could check my blood glucose level. If it was too high, they wouldn't be able to administer the test. Mine was fine and I was told I'd get the radioactive glucose formula in a few minutes.
Another nurse came down the hall wearing a lead shield. She was pushing a small table with a lead cylinder on it. When she stopped in front of the lab, she careful opened the lead cylinder and removed the radioactive infusion. It was so strange...like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, an antidote for some deadly disease.
The lab nurse found a vein in my arm and inserted a saline flush. After the saline had flushed freely through the vein, she inserted the radioactive material. While she was doing it, she said, "now don't you worry. This won't make you feel differently at all." So I took her at her word and just relaxed. When she was done, the nurse led me to a "quiet room."
The quiet room was a very small room with a recliner, a small lamp, and a call button in it. The nurse helped me into the recliner and adjusted my feet and head the way I wanted them then brought in a heated blanket. She told me I'd have to sit there for 45 minutes and while I was sitting, I wasn't supposed to do a thing. Well...I cheated. I couldn't help but slip out my cell phone and take my very first radioactive selfie shot!I sat there for what seemed to be hours and counting holes in the ceiling tiles, noted the paint color, the number of receptacles on the wall...I did any and everything to be still and quiet. I was so thankful when a knock came at the door and I was told they were ready for me.
A young nurse named Jennifer took me down the hall to the imaging room. She helped me get positioned on the table and put a wedge under my knees. She explained the PET scan would last about 30 minutes and I would need to stay as still as possible. It was freezing in the room and I told the nurse I didn't think I could stay still because when I'm cold, my teeth chatter and my legs shake. She went to the warmer and pulled out 2 heated blankets and put them on me. Ahhhhh! It felt so good.
Lying on the table, I was thankful Dr. S had prescribed those anti-anxiety pills for me. Even though the opening on the PET scan wasn't as small as the one on the MRI, I felt anxious about being put inside it. As the table began to move forward, the nurse slipped into a glass booth just off the side of the room. She told me to call out if I needed anything.
I could barely hear a slight whirring sound as the table moved slowly into the machine for scanning. I noticed it paused on one area for a little while and then the table would move forward again about another foot or so and the same process would be repeated. This was done down the entire length of my body.
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| Scan's all done! |
On the way home from the medical center. I had to stay away from Heather. She's only 2 and she doesn't need to be exposed to radiation. When we got inside the house and were ready to each lunch, I went into the formal dining room and let them eat in the kitchen. The nurse had warned me to stay away from small children for the next 24 hours because I'll still be radioactive. I hated that because I usually hug my little Heatherbug goodbye. This time, all I got to do was wave to her.
I'm so thankful for Laura's sweet spirit and her willingness to help in any way she can. She has such a huge servant's heart. I'm also thankful for all my friends who have committed to pray for me. I really could feel their prayers today. It was as if there was a sweet peace surrounding me all day long and I know that was from all the prayers going up for me.
I know God has something in store for me. The Bible tells me He does:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Now all I can do is wait and see what it is!
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