scan scan scan....

When I was learning to drive, my dad used to use those words to express to me how important it was to be aware of your surroundings when you drive... so that you can adjust at a moment's notice.

"Scan... scan... scan..."  (rear view mirror... road ahead... side mirror...) 

(Of course, you'd have to know my dad to fully appreciate just how this scene went down, but it certainly still makes me smile.)

Well, the phrase has a new meaning in life, but the intent is largely the same.  It's crucial to be aware of what's going on all around my body... so that we can adjust at a moment's notice.

Thursday was my bone scan and CT scan.  I chugged the Readi-CAT on the way up to the office.  Confirmed:  it's just as gross as I remember.  Not so much the flavor (although that isn't very good either) -- it's the texture.  I suppose if it's designed to "stick" to the insides of your GI tract it's not going to have a pleasant texture... kind of like "the coating action of Pepto Bismol".... but not quite that thick.

I started in one building where they started an IV. My veins had just started behaving with the medical community... but after the past few weeks, they are back to their old form... they run and hide when a needle approaches, leaving the tech or nurse to poke and prod trying to get it right. Once the IV was in, he injected me with a radioactive tracer. I wish I had a camera with me (though they probably wouldn't let me use it) -- because I really liked the sticker they put over the IV -- flourescent yellow, reading "Radioactive", with the radioactive symbol on it!

Then I went next door for the CT scan.  They take me back and tighten up my IV and leave me sitting in a little room in the back.  I can hear them in the hallway -- the scanner has just gone down.  Seriously, there is no way I am going to drink that stuff again the next day... they have to scan me.  The nurse returns and explains that the scanner is broken... we check the time (I have to be back in one hour for the bone scan)... and then they send me to another facility for my CT scan.  It's about a 15 minute drive, but they get me right in and right out... and I head back up to Mt Laurel for the bone scan.  A bit of a scare, but all worked out!

Friday was my MRI.  They needed another IV for this test.  The nurse was a bit rough and aggressive (it really caught me off guard)... but she got it on the first try, so maybe that approach is better?  The scan took a little less than 30 minutes.  It was super loud (never been head first into the MRI machine!)  but I just kept my eyes closed and kept breathing and all was good. 

I slept in this morning until 9:45--- craziness!  I haven't really been able to sleep like that in weeks!  I'll credit a good, relaxing evening out last night with my ZS friends in Princeton (and a margarita or two) and give thanks for a full night's sleep.