PET scan and brain MRI

So.  The PET scan was Thursday morning.

It was really no big deal.  I didn't feel much anxiety about anything but the IV, which they did like they had the breast MRI, with  what they call a "butterfly" needle.  It was not bad.

She put me in a comfy chair, in a private room (I was radioactive, after all), and I got to watch TV for an hour while the radioactive glucose worked through my system.

Then the scan wasn't so bad, either.  The tube seemed big enough, and I could see out both ends, so I did not feel any claustrophobia at all.

During the wait before the scan, though, Dave texted me to say he was getting sick.  He'd been having a scratchy throat, and while he was waiting for me, his fever hit.

We stopped at Walgreen's for cold medicine, came home, and I ate breakfast.

He tried, but he felt so miserable, that he just put on his jammies, wrapped up in blankets, and went to sleep.  He'd already let his boss know.

I took a nap, too, and then I got up , had lunch, and went to work for the afternoon.

Meantime, Dave's fever climbed even higher.  I urged him to call his doctor, which he did, but he wasn't able to get an appointment until the next day.

When I got home from work, I was afraid it was flu, but he wouldn't let me take him to urgent care, so I made him drink lemon water and made him eat some home made chicken soup.

The next morning, I went to work, and he stayed home until his appointment.

Friday was going just fine for me until I got a phone call from the Cancer Specialists telling me that my brain MRI was scheduled for 4:15.

My what?  My WHAT?!

I completely panicked.  Could not think straight.  No one had mentioned anything about a brain MRI before, so it must be something they found on the PET scan...that was my immediate reaction.

I texted Dave and told him I had to go for a brain MRI, and he had all of the questions I couldn't ask when I was on the phone with the center.

SO he called them back, and instead of them calling him, they called me.

The woman said  that she had to ask why the scan was needed, to make sure, and she said "it's just a routine part of your work up."

PHEW....big rush of relief.  It might have been nice if someone had mentioned it along the way, though, so that I would not have needed to go through that full body panic rush in the middle of my work morning.

Meantime, Dave's doctor confirmed...Influenza A.  His doctor knows what my current situation is, and she suggested my oncologist order me a round of Tamiflu to keep me from getting Dave's infection.

So, Dave called the cancer center again, and they ordered me a scrip.

Also meantime, my friends at work mentioned that the place I had to go for my MRI does not give valium unless ordered by a doctor...so, I ALSO called the cancer center back, and told them I'd need them to call me in a valium for my MRI.  Thankfully, they did, and it all worked out just fine.

Unfortunately, though, Dave's doctor also told him NOT to take me for my MRI.  I didn't need to be in a car with him, and he didn't need to be out in public.

SO my friend Julie (with whom I work, and who also is the wonderful friend who house sits for us when we travel) offered to take me for the MRI.

That was also a HUGE relief.  Having her there with me was such a comfort. Plus, she used to work at Baptist hospital, and knew exactly where to park so that we were right by the imaging center.

Anyway, the brain MRI was not bad at all.  They let me put a cloth over my eyes, and the tech was really good about talking me through the process, telling me "this part of the scan will be 3 minutes.  This part will be 6 minutes.  This next minute will be really loud..."  etc.  She was great.

The valium and the tech made it an anxiety free process.

Afterward, Julie also was able to take me to Walgreen's again to get our tamiflu prescriptions.  MAN that stuff is expensive... $80.00 for two rounds.

At least the imaging center didn't charge me a copay.  Neither did the PET center yesterday....  so, while I ended up with THREE appointments this past week, I only had to pay one $40 copay....so we can still buy groceries, LOL....

Next, I see the Oncologist on Monday afternoon, and they will tell me then what the PET and brain MRI results were, and they will also present the plan of treatment.

Treatments will cost $270.00 each time up front.  Holy fucking shit.

But Dave says not to worry about it...so I am doing my best not to.

IN OTHER NEWS, while on the way to the PET center on Thursday morning, the breast care center nurse who ordered the genetic testing called.

It was 7:45 in the morning, and she was calling me before hours because the news she had was so good....the genetic testing came back NEGATIVE!!

This means that the genes in our family are not "broken" and do NOT automatically indicate cancer.  While the number of cancer patients on my dad's side is phenomenal, it's not because of our genes.

SO the good news is that my niece and nephews don't have to worry about when and where their version of cancer will strike, AND it means that I don't have to have my ovaries removed in order to prevent almost certain ovarian cancer.

This call provided a moment of jubilation!! Good news, at last.

Hoping for more on Monday....

Anyway, as of this morning, Dave's fever is gone, so that's very good progress for him.  We will continue to take our tamiflu, and take things one day at a time.

This weekend, I will continue to try to relax and do normal things.  The weather is supposed to moderate a little, and not be as cold.  Maybe, MAYBE we can get in the hot tub....it's been weeks!