CT Scan Monday AM......Can't sleep

ripper
ripper Member Posts: 28
I'm having my 5 month scan 12/5. I haven't been anxious about the scan until this afternoon. Now, I can't think of anything else. Then the long week of waiting until Friday to get the results.....Arghhh

Too cold in MT right now to go for a long walk to keep my mind clear. I guess I'll just put in a long week of work in, so that I don't get to short with my wife and kids. Frustratingly -Ryan

Comments

  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    We do understand
    especially those of us who have been at this for a long time. You are absolutely fine for months on end and hardly one single thought is given to having RCC. BUT as soon as THE APPOINTMENT is scheduled, your world crashes in - just like when you first heard you had IT. Then nearly every moment of every day until you get the results - you're hanging off a cliff! There are lots of ways to 'survive' the wait - watch stupid or very intense movies (personal choice here) - take on a chore or two that you would rather put off until the end of time. My personal favorite? Go sit in the car in the garage and scream bloody murder until you know you can be around other people again. Repeat as necessary.

    Don't mean to sound flip - but we each have to find some way to get through it and if it's dumb (to others) but works for you - do it!

    Good luck - keep us posted - and little whispers of prayers headed your way for a good outcome.
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    lbinmsp said:

    We do understand
    especially those of us who have been at this for a long time. You are absolutely fine for months on end and hardly one single thought is given to having RCC. BUT as soon as THE APPOINTMENT is scheduled, your world crashes in - just like when you first heard you had IT. Then nearly every moment of every day until you get the results - you're hanging off a cliff! There are lots of ways to 'survive' the wait - watch stupid or very intense movies (personal choice here) - take on a chore or two that you would rather put off until the end of time. My personal favorite? Go sit in the car in the garage and scream bloody murder until you know you can be around other people again. Repeat as necessary.

    Don't mean to sound flip - but we each have to find some way to get through it and if it's dumb (to others) but works for you - do it!

    Good luck - keep us posted - and little whispers of prayers headed your way for a good outcome.

    scan
    Scan + anxiety= Scanxiety...We have all been there. Nothing you can do until it's over. Hang in. We move one step at a time.
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    foxhd said:

    scan
    Scan + anxiety= Scanxiety...We have all been there. Nothing you can do until it's over. Hang in. We move one step at a time.

    It will get easier...
    Hi Ripper,

    I'm having my 2 yr ct on Thursday and I can honestly say that it does get easier over time. That does not mean the fear goes away, it definitely does not, but it does subside enough to be livable. Here its a 12 hour fast with only water, drink contrast 2 hours before and again 10 mins. before, then an IV with some kind of dye (makes me sneeze), on the machine, and then off to the Dr.'s office for immediate results (not having to wait is nice). It beats the heck out of what so many others must go through in this fight.

    Hang in there,

    Gary
  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,041 Member
    garym said:

    It will get easier...
    Hi Ripper,

    I'm having my 2 yr ct on Thursday and I can honestly say that it does get easier over time. That does not mean the fear goes away, it definitely does not, but it does subside enough to be livable. Here its a 12 hour fast with only water, drink contrast 2 hours before and again 10 mins. before, then an IV with some kind of dye (makes me sneeze), on the machine, and then off to the Dr.'s office for immediate results (not having to wait is nice). It beats the heck out of what so many others must go through in this fight.

    Hang in there,

    Gary

    Addition to garym
    Kidney cancer makes you anxious. It's not the Ct that makes you more anxious, it's what the results could bring.
    But I must admit the Ct is not fun. In addition to what Gary has, add 3 ml. of Acetylcyst/Mucomist the night prior and the morning of the test to help facilitate the dye going thru the kidney that is remaining. Then mix in a liter of pre-hydration IV and a liter post-CT and you have a recipe for dirrahea and the gut ache that comes with it.
    The treatment is panti-liners and baby wipes, plus being quick on your feet to run to the bathroom, while dragging the IV. (Let's face it-hospital TP is not the softest in the world.)
    What's the option? They wouldn't have caught the 2 separate recurrences or the problem I am having with my thyroid. So I go for the test and am anxious, and glad I'm here to deal with it.
    donna_lee
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    donna_lee said:

    Addition to garym
    Kidney cancer makes you anxious. It's not the Ct that makes you more anxious, it's what the results could bring.
    But I must admit the Ct is not fun. In addition to what Gary has, add 3 ml. of Acetylcyst/Mucomist the night prior and the morning of the test to help facilitate the dye going thru the kidney that is remaining. Then mix in a liter of pre-hydration IV and a liter post-CT and you have a recipe for dirrahea and the gut ache that comes with it.
    The treatment is panti-liners and baby wipes, plus being quick on your feet to run to the bathroom, while dragging the IV. (Let's face it-hospital TP is not the softest in the world.)
    What's the option? They wouldn't have caught the 2 separate recurrences or the problem I am having with my thyroid. So I go for the test and am anxious, and glad I'm here to deal with it.
    donna_lee

    Hey rip,

    Any word on your scan yet? Mine was clear (NED), hoping yours is the same.

    Gary
  • ripper
    ripper Member Posts: 28
    garym said:

    Hey rip,

    Any word on your scan yet? Mine was clear (NED), hoping yours is the same.

    Gary

    YEE HAW!
    Gary - Got a visit from Mr. NED! Everything looked good on the scan. Funny looking at the before and after scans and seeing a smaller but healthy kidney with the "nasty little bugger" gone, as Icemantoo would say!
  • BG
    BG Member Posts: 85 Member
    ripper said:

    YEE HAW!
    Gary - Got a visit from Mr. NED! Everything looked good on the scan. Funny looking at the before and after scans and seeing a smaller but healthy kidney with the "nasty little bugger" gone, as Icemantoo would say!

    great news!
    Go to hear, my six month scan is coming up mid January. I called and said I want a CT scan with and without contrast, they initially set it up without contrast!

    I can not wait to get that behind me, and it is still a month away.

    Glad you had good news, and wish you many more clear scans ahead.

    BG
  • Post-op ct
    Ryan,

    Having my first post-op ct (@ 3months) the 27th. I know exactly how you feel.....

    Doug
  • ripper
    ripper Member Posts: 28

    Post-op ct
    Ryan,

    Having my first post-op ct (@ 3months) the 27th. I know exactly how you feel.....

    Doug

    Good Vibes
    Doug,

    Sending good vibes your way! It will be a great way to start off the New Year, though! Keep us posted. -Ryan
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    ripper said:

    Good Vibes
    Doug,

    Sending good vibes your way! It will be a great way to start off the New Year, though! Keep us posted. -Ryan

    Great news...
    Rip,

    Congratulations on your first NED, they'll get easier now.

    Here's to many more,

    Gary
  • ripper
    ripper Member Posts: 28
    garym said:

    Great news...
    Rip,

    Congratulations on your first NED, they'll get easier now.

    Here's to many more,

    Gary

    Breathing Easier
    Gary,

    I don't need to tell you, but holy smokes does it seem easier to breath after the CT scan results are back or what!

    Happy Holidays and Thanks for the many posts that I have read and re-read over the last few months. -Rip