After meeting the surgeon, they scheduled me to get an MRI and CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. That would allow them to do my staging. The whole process is very fascinating to me.
To prepare for the MRI, they told me to use a Fleet enema. So I'm very new to all of this so that was quite an experience. I may have laughed out loud a few times while trying to figure it out.
I found the enema and then I looked all over to find some of the absorbent pads to put under me so I didn't have a puddle of saline on my bed or floor or wherever I ended up doing it.
I got everything set up and ready to go. I inserted and squeezed. I kept thinking I had it all going in right. I stayed there for just a little bit thinking something would start to happen, but nothing really did. So then I decided to try the other one, thinking I finally figured out the right place to insert it. Oh boy. I had saline puddles on my absorbent pads and not a lot happened. So I decided I did my best and that would have to do.
The next day I went to my appointment. They had me get into a really cute hospital gown and then they took me to the MRI. They needed to insert some contrast dye so they could really see. They asked if I wanted to do it myself or if I wanted them to do it. I figured if i did it there would be no guarantee that we wouldn't have contrast all over. I asked them to insert it and away we went.
I wondered why the MRI machine was so noisy. It made a lot of beeps and clicks. After just a little bit I noticed I was clenching my jaw and that I needed to relax a little bit. I had my hands on my chest and I noticed that they were starting to fall asleep, so I tried to resituate very carefully to not interrupt the scanning. That made a difference.
After I finished the scans, they gave me a tasty drink. I had 30 minutes to drink it all down in preparation for my CT scans. I was so thirsty from fasting that I drank it really quickly. Then I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I could stay in the dressing room, but I felt a little awkward as other women came in to dress in preparation for their scans.
So finally I decided I'd go into the waiting area. Now remember that I'm still wearing my cute hospital gown. I should have put something on underneath as they are a little drafty. Hehe. I tried to sit as modestly as I could and any time I got up I tried to make sure I was covered. And I didn't walk around very much. I was even stylish enough to match my mask with my gown. How clever of me!
Finally it got to the time they were supposed to come get me, so I snuck back into the dressing area behind a technician who came to get another patient and went back to the dressing room. And I waited and waited and waited. Finally they came and took me in to do the CT.
They needed to put in an IV to put in the dye. The first technician stuck in the needle but couldn't find a vein, so he kept wiggling it around. It hurt a lot. I didn't want them to use my other arm because the last time I had a blood test it bruised pretty good, but another practitioner came in and she was able to stick it in. Luckily I didn't bruise this time.
They laid me on a table with a nice warm blanket. I liked that a lot. Then they did the scans and I was done in about 5 minutes. Then I was good to go. They said to go home and drink a lot to flush the dye out of the body as quickly as possible. So I tried to do that very thing.
What an experience! I was glad to have that done. I'm experiencing a lot of firsts on this journey - and probably not the last time I'll be in to do these kinds of tests. But now I at least know more or less what to expect and I can plan a little better.
I really am learning to appreciate the body and all that it is able to do without even thinking about it. It regenerates cells, it heals itself, it does so many incredible things. The body is beautiful in the way it works. Heavenly Father is a master Creator and a master Healer. He knows His creations.
Find the belleza in your day! There is gozo in the every day experiences of life. Let yourself laugh at the little things. It certainly makes a difference in my day!
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