Every once in a while, you have a day of firsts. Yesterday was one of those days.
Yesterday, for the first time:
1. I had a Positron Emission Tomography test. I felt like I was headed to galaxies far, far away!
2. For reasons that were explained to me, they prefer to put the IV in the foot. Ouch! that hurt.
3. The nuclear medicine was brought out to me in a 4 inch thick lead container. (See the picture!)
4. I survived the tube! Now I know what it feels like to be in a cocoon. Here's the key to surviving...close your eyes before you go in and never, under any circumstances, for any reason, open them. Continue to tell yourself throughout the test--No! I will not open my eyes.
5. I was radioactive for about 12 hours afterward. Although the half-life of the nuclear medicine is about 2 hours, I leaked a little radioactivity for some time. That is a weird feeling!
So that was my day of firsts. Whew! I'm glad that is over!
10 comments:
Phew, I'm glad it's over too! Something about the fact that there is even something called nuclear medicine is just all wrong, but I'm glad such technology exists! I thought maybe I could stand next to you and say "beam me up scotty" and it my actually work ;)
Yes, and anyone riding with you after the test also got a good dose of radiation. No wonder I didn't need a nightlight last night. I noticed this light green glow throughout the bedroom all night long. And, this morning, while I was brushing my teeth, I noticed my silver fillings were a little warm to the touch. It's nice to know we will never need to purchase a microwave. I'll just let you hold the container for a few minutes. Bravo for handling the numerous velcro straps used to keep you "aligned" during the test. BTW: You look beautiful in MRI and CT imagery. I hoping to get a copy that's suitable for framing.
Maybe this could be some type of super hero, radioactive lady!!. Able to light tall buildings in a single sneeze. I wonder if you could possess the anwser to the energy crisis? Just think of the electricity you could save with not having to turn the light's on.
Glad to hear the test is over, technology is amazing!!!.
Love,
Sooz
First, congratulations on keeping your eyes shut. I'm proud! After reading your blog, I am full of questions. How long did it take to put the medicine in? How did that feel? Did it burn? Could you actually feel it leaving your body? What did THAT feel like? What did the tech wear? I have many more, but will leave them unasked. These questions do not require an answer if you are uninclined (doesn't look right!) to answer them. Just curious. Anyway, we continue to pray, and trust God will meet your every need! C
You have tackled the "Day of Firsts" with a sense of humor, laughter, peace, and faith that the Lord is carrying you in His arms.....It is a joy to read all your blogs and family blogs....a positive attitude and a heart for the Lord is surely a testimony of your faith....You are in my prayers..Snooky
You were a trooper. It's your first and lets hope it's your last. Wouldn't that be nice!!!! I will ask the same things that C wrote. What does it feel like to be radioactive and when it is leaving you? You are always in our prayers. Like Dad said, the Lord doesn't make mistakes and He will carry you thru all this. Rest in His grace. We love you and are praying. LOve SMG
Wow - I'm amazed! That whole ordeal sounds utterly petrifying. Still, it would be pretty neat to posses radioactive capabilities after the procedure was done. As Sooz said, this could be a solution to the energy crisis ;) Really though, think of the money you could save on your own electric usage each month ;) Thinking of you.
Actually, I can appreciate the questions...I thought about all of those things as it was happening. So, let's see...I didn't feel the medicine going in. It didn't burn or feel cold or anything. I could not feel it leaving my body. I felt the same throughout the process. it took only about a minute to put the medicine in..she went very slowly and flushed the tubing a couple of times while she was putting it in. The techs that were close to me did not wear any special lead lined clothing. They just wore regular clothes. That did make me feel better. Other than being in the tube and having the IV started in my foot, the worst part was probably having to drink the 2 cups of sweet, gross tasting iodine contrast medium before the test started. I got it down, but it was yuck! Like I said..I'm glad it is done!
Thanks for the answers. I'm glad it is over for you, too. The more we hear about this test, the worse it sounds, but the results are glorious!!!!! It is amazing that people have even learned they could do all this and find results. The ingenuity of Americans and, of course, others never ceases to amaze me!
Praise the Lord!!! C
Post a Comment