3 Huge words - No Evidence of Disease

Well technically it's four but what a beautiful sound they have! After a few weeks of worry followed by the inevitable blood tests and scan I'm happy to say the ct scan found no spread of cancer. Huge sigh of relief.
I'm still struggling with pain around the surgery wound and the ongoing back issue but can cope with that knowing it's not sinister. I've had problems with core strength since my kidney was removed and have learnt my limitations. However, it's always good to test these occasionally...I don't think I'll be doing any headstands in the near future!
Thankfully my running training hasn't been affected too much apart from if I tackle hills so I'm trying to stay on the level as far as I can.
The only downside has been having to go back to the drug cupboard. I'm managing to avoid the Gabapentin and haven't touched the trams. The cocodamol have taken the edge off though but I do feel defeatist when I have to fall back on them. Hopefully this latest blip will soon do one and I'll be climbing hills and standing on my head once more :-)
It's also worth mentioning what an excellent GP I have. He was extremely concerned and made sure I had a full blood test followed by the ct scan. The scan was arranged super quick and he phoned me with results only 3 days later. You can't get better than that - well except a result of NED!

Scan Silver Lining

I should’ve been on auto pilot the number of times I’ve driven to the hospital but I still managed to make a wrong turn.  On arrival it’s normally easy to find my way to the scan reception, today though I got lost in the corridors and had to ask for directions. Booking in is usually straight forward but I’d forgotten to fill the required questionairre in beforehand. By now it was becoming evident I was far more nervous than I’d realised for this scan which I’d been considerably blase about.

Waiting room 1 was busy and conversation centered on what you’re allowed to wear into the scanner. There are always experts present who’ve had x amount of scans and know procedure inside out even though it varies for everyone. I sat quietly and removed my necklace. It was as I removed my jacket that I was brought into the conversation when top expert began admiring my tattoos. This always makes me feel a little uneasy as all eyes are understandably then drawn to my artwork. Thankfully I was first to be called out, much to the surprise of those who’d been waiting longer.

It wasn’t the scanner I was needed for though, I have to have blood tests to make sure my lone kidney will cope with the contrast dye being fed through my veins. Despite nodding that I knew my way, I still managed to miss the haemotology department and had to make yet another detour. More awkwardness ensued when I was called straight through for my blood tests ahead of a waiting room full of impatient patients.  How lucky to be sent from the ct department eh? The usual dialogue took place between me and the phlebotomist, “ Do you mind me going in here?” Points to my colourful arm. “Not if you can find a vein”. Clenches fist and crosses fingers.

Back in radiology I’m now directed to waiting room 2 where I join the previous panel of experts whose current topic of conversation is fluid intake. Some have jugs of water with instructions to drink a beaker every 5 minutes whilst others appear a little left out. One lady thinks it best to get a second opinion as to why she’s not having to fill her bladder, “because we’re scanning your chest”, does little to satisfy her need to be in the bladder gang.

I take a seat by a small table where my obligatory water is delivered with the news I’ll have at least 45 minutes to wait for the blood test results. It’s then I realise my other oversight, I have nothing to read. Phones have to be switched off and there’re no magazines, it really will be a long wait.

One of the experts had been telling all assembled her medical history in a, ‘quid pro quo’ manner with little success and was now attempting to engage me. I conceded I wasn’t a ct virgin and alluded to surgery, the temptation to elaborate and tell her I used to be called Steve was strong but I told the truth. The C word had it’s usual effect and in no time at all my kidney was raised by lung, bowel and breast cancer patients. I felt as though I were part of a virtual game of Operation where Mrs Expert drew out those of us with diseased organs with heavy sighs and tuts.

A member of staff decided to put the tv on for us which I hoped would disctract morbid conversation. It was tuned in to a consumer program dealing with cases of fraud, negligence and accidents which did nothing to lighten the mood. I managed to zone out listening to Gloria Hunniford long enough for the waiting room to almost clear taking with  it Mrs Expert who mouthed, “Hope you’re ok” shaking her head as she left.

Mr Lung and Mr Bowel cancer had entered a debate about whose hospital was the biggest, Lung was under Leicester Royal and Bowel was North Staffs. They then wished they hadn’t asked me as I trumped both with the QE. Time was dragging and I really needed a wee and fidgeted about a little too much. This caused Mr Lung to ask was I ok, I looked a little nervous. I assured him I was fine and prayed my pelvic floor could take the fluid overload a while longer.

Thank God I was next to be called. In some hospitals they canulate you before getting into the scan room, here they put the venflon canula in while you’re on the scan bed. The guy piercing me was very gentle and helped put me at ease by chatting about my chosen outfit which I could’ve worn to a yoga class. He said I looked sporty which made me smile as I lay facing the all seeing tunnel of light. Once the canuar was in place it was business as usual, arms above head and I was left to be fed to the donut.

No matter how many times I’ve been in that situation it never gets easier. Breathe in and hold while the machinery whirrs into action. I passed under my name, hospital number and age illuminated above me into the white donut. Looking up lights flashed around the silver lining of the tunnel and an instruction read, ‘Don’t look into the laser’ which you realise you’re doing a little too late. Backwards and forwards a couple of times before being fed out once more and joined by a nurse.

Now the contrast dye is fed through, the nurse held my hand, massaging the back where the canular held the needle in place. The familiar reminder that in a moment you’ll feel as though you’re weeing yourself and not to worry as you’re not made me smile again. It was made worse by the fact that my bladder was full to burst so I’m never 100% sure I haven’t really wet the bed. Leaving me again I hold my breath and breath a couple more times whilst moving backwards and forwards under the beams before the nurse returns. All done.

I’m led to a cubicle next where the venflow is removed and I’m advised to sit back in waiting room 2 for 10 minutes before attempting to leave. When the nurse ask’s if I’m ok I weirdly feel my tears coming and can only nod. This scan business really can mess with your head. She gives me a knowing look and leads me back to the waiting room.

Mr Lung is now discussing the hazards of travelling in an ambulance, Mr Bowel is agreeing saying he was rolled off a stretcher going along the A50. My ambulance experiences aren’t required and I sit quietly before rising to go home.

After feeding the parking meter I sit in the car to eat my banana and flapjack, a ban on eating before the scan means I’m beginning to feel very faint now. I have to keep my eyes down as patients arriving with nowhere to park are hovering around my car hoping I’ll move off and leave them my space. Three hours after arriving I’m back on the road home leaving behind the images of my abdomen and pelvis. Lets hope that silver lining I’ve just been through is reflected in the results.

Tunnel of Light

First thing Tuesday morning I will be heading feet first back into that all seeing tunnel of light, the ct scan. Although my annual hospital check is not booked until July my GP requested an urgent scan after a recent appointment with him.
Ever since I lost my left kidney I've had frequent symptoms of water infections, weeing a lot, abdominal and back pain. Most recently this has been accompanied by a feeling I can only describe as a hot flush after I've had a wee. Now I am hurtling towards my 50th birthday so menopausal symptoms shouldn't come as a surprise. However, the abdo pain has become significantly worse, enough to concern me enough to book the appointment with my GP.
I find it's always best to be totally honest and so I confessed that I'd started running again, I even told him I'd entered the London Marathon ballot. He just looked at me over his glasses... I think by now though he knows that I'm not going to sit back and resign myself to the aches and pains, I'd much rather face things head on - as long as I can. I also mentioned my two yoga classes a week and said that there were occasions when I felt the pain intensify if I pushed myself too hard in certain positions. What I didn't say was that after attempting a headstand recently I felt as though my guts had tied themselves in a knot and were about to burst out! I've remained the right way up since then.
My GP wanted to examine me, something I hadn't expected. As he felt around my tummy in the area of my scar I nearly jumped through the roof, it was really sore. It's not something I would naturally do myself so I was quite surprised at how painful it was. After the examination I was sent for thorough blood tests.
Returning a week later I was very happy to hear the blood tests were ok, only one in the red and I'm not sure that was very significant. I was therefore surprised that he'd booked a ct scan but I trust him implicitly and so agreed to it.
Last week I was away on holiday and got a call from my GP surgery, the secretary said that my GP had seen the date of my ct scan had come through, 16th May. The problem was he wasn't happy and wanted it sooner as he'd put an urgent request in. I explained that I was away and therefore unable to go sooner anyway so it was agreed I keep the date given.
I think I've got the best GP, he is totally straight with me and extremely thorough which is why I trust his judgement totally. I can't lie though, the urgency given to this scan has made me ever so slightly uneasy. I'm pretty easy going as far as the C word goes, I've had it, it's been taken out, job done. Now I'm approaching the finish line though, that magical 5 year out of remission date I can't afford backward steps. Feet first it is then...