Scans cancelled

I have had many PET's.  They are not bad at all.  Mine are usually PET-CT scans (PET combined with a CT scan).  Some are just PET scans and some are PET-MRI combo's. 

The day before, avoid eating too many carbohydrates.  Also, do not exercise or particpate in strenuous activity.   You will be told not to eat or drink anything but water for a certain number of hours before the PET.  They usually tell you to drink at least 16 oz  of water before the scan, but your tech will give you instructions. The PET scan detects increased sugar (glucose) uptake because cancer cells eat more sugar and faster than normal cells. 

Sometimes they have you drink about 12 oz of a flavored (but still kind of yucky) contrast drink.  This helps them see the digestive system better.  While I have been on chemo, I have been allowed to skip the drink because of nausea.  For some reason, my drinks were usually blueberry flavored and kind of milky looking. 

A small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected with a small butterfly needle.  The tech will take a drop of blood to test your blood sugar (through the IV).  You will then have to wait about an hour for the tracer to disperse.  During that time, it is best to be still or nap.  I always bring a care bag that contains a comfy pillow, a fleece blanket, a good book, sleep mask, warm socks, etc.  The machines have to be kept at a certain temperature (cold), so prepare accordingly.  I used to freeze in there, but now I overprepare.  Don't hesitate to ask for blankets.  Often they have warm blankets and they help.  Staying warm also helps the images.

If you are diabetic, make sure your blood sugars are under control.  Your blood glucose must be under 200 or images will be blurred and they will postpone the test. 

The procedure itself just feels like a CT scan.  You lie still and your body is moved through a donut like structure.  It doesn't hurt in any way.  It takes about 30 minutes

If your glucose uptake is abnormally high in an area where it shouldn't be high, cancer is suspected. 

A link with the usual instructions (yours may vary a little): http://www.texasoncology.com/uploadedFiles/For_Patients_and_Public/Patient_Resources/Forms/Instructions-for-the-PET.pdf

Hope this helps and best of luck!

CypressCynthia said:

P.S. I now where scrubs with

P.S. I now where scrubs with no bra and slip on shoes.  You can wear a turtleneck under the scrub top.  If you don't have scrubs, try and wear elasticized pants and a knit top. They usually don't want you to have any metal on in the way, so that is why I choose the scrubs and no bra.  I don't wear any jewelry either.

If you don't have elasticized pants, they will have you either pull your pants down or they will give you a gown.  Not a big deal, but I am more comfortable in the scrubs.

Thank you Cypress Cynthia for the posting!

Vicki Sam