So it is evident that I need a CT Scan….& we have been informed they definitely want to do one & an appointment will be posted out to me.
We have been online – we have started to look at what this means & how quick action makes a difference – we ask about stuff we are reading online that other people have had – Blood Tests “no we don’t do those – they don’t give an indication of anything that the CT scan won’t tell us” and a procedure called Sentinel Node Biopsy which not one person at Gloucester has even mentioned to us yet – and we are told “no that doesn’t get done these days” & that “if the oncologist decides he wants to meet with you he will explain everything in more detail”….
Why would we not see an oncologist??? I have been given a diagnosis on Cancer – I EXPECT to see an oncologist!
So the appointment letter comes through on the 20th of June for a CT Scan on 3rd July – we call up Daisy immediately “if my results are so bad – why is the CT Scan 2 weeks away”…yes she says – I noticed that too, I will enquire here to see if we can bring it forward slightly.
We ask her is having it done privately is advisable – she says if we have the means to get it done privately we should. So we call around & get a quote of just under £1,000 to have the CT Scan required – full body & head.
Thankfully just before we book it Daisy calls – they have created a slot for me on Wednesday 26th in the evening.
So – no food or drink for 3 ½ hours beforehand – ok I can do that…we arrive & are handed a jug of water that is apparently 1.5 litres. I am advised that I need to drink said water over the next hour & not visit the bathroom after the next 20 minutes.
I have a canella fitted into my arm …the nurse struggles to find a vein & tells me I must have think blood – I ask if that is good & she says – I suppose it is better than thick blood !?!
I am told that the dye gives you a sensation of needing to pee during the scan – I am not forewarned about the burning pain – the agony of the dye being forced into my arm – apparently the radiographer says he doesn’t like to see the red so he pushes it in really quickly – it hurts & leaves bruising on my arm that takes days to go!
The team at the Hospital are expecting the worst – they expect my CT scan to say the cancer has spread.
They call – It hasn’t.
I think I have just had my first lucky break!