CT Scan 2: Contrast Dye Boogaloo

It was time for more fun involving the little mass in my chest that shouldn’t be there. Today, it was CT scan time! To recap, I’ve had the following done:

• CT scan #1 (this is what led to the discovery of the mass, as the scan was actually for a kidney infection)
• MRI
• PET scan
• Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

I was not told I’d be getting a CT scan, though they feel almost old hat at this point. I just got a call to book one and two days later, I was on a table getting scanned yet again, this time at UBC Hospital.

Attending to me this time was a cute young technician with a very Australian accent. It was kind of adorable.

What was less adorable were his attempts to insert the IV. I needed the IV because they would be using contrast dye to enhance the imagery and also, briefly, enhance the sensation that my bladder was emptying itself when it’s just a big psyche as the dye works through your system.

Here’s how the IV hunt went:

1. Crook of right elbow: failed.
2. Left hand: failed.
3. Right wrist: failed.
4. Crook of right elbow, but slightly to the right of the first attempt: success!

A couple of the failed attempts stung a bit and the tech asked if it was painful and I confirmed it was, a little, but I remained calm, and promised I would give my veins a good talking to afterward. They tell you to drink water before to be hydrated, which helps. Next time I’m going to drink a 4 litre jug of water on the way in.

The fourth and successful try did not hurt, which seemed a good clue that it would work, and it did.

I had to hold my arms over my head, which was as awkward as always, and at one point–I think just after the dye went in–the IV started to hurt a bit again, but it only lasted a few moments.

The actual scan was quick and simple, as CT scans are.

I celebrated by having a Sausage and Egg McMuffin. Which I ate before going in, actually.

Also, good news: Despite the repeated jabbings, no bruising! Here is my gallery of cotton wads, done Polaroid style, because I’m all about chintzy nostalgia! Also, I don’t recommend clicking on the thumbnails, they are sufficient as is.

Now I wait for whatever is next, hooray.