PET scan day:

My anxiety is at an all-time high. Tears, yelling, shaking, and racing, and whatever else I can think of. I didn’t sleep and have the worst shoulder back pain ever.

Prep work;

Thankfully, there is little prep for this procedure. 12 hours before, don’t eat any sugars or carbs. The other big one was no strenuous or vigorous activities. They inject radioactive glucose so they monitor blood sugars.

When I was pregnant, I had developed a bad case of gestational diabetes. My fasting sugars were always in the 120s-150s. I checked it last night just to get an idea. It was 112. Then this morning it was 93. Kind of high but whatever’s. I decided to go to work in the morning for an hour to keep my mind busy- you can only google cancer or pet scans so many times.

When I checked in, I was brought into a side of the building I have never seen. In this hallway, they were others waiting for the same kind of test. The biggest difference between them and me was age. By maybe 30-40 years. Seeing the wheelchairs and oxygen tanks is just another reminder of what my future could look like. I cried, I cannot even lie.

They brought me back to check my blood sugar, 94, and to set an IV. The man that was setting this all up, skipped through all the questions assuming I was ok.. he said no to surgeries, no to any implant devices, and no to past chemo medications… he was so shocked when I said yes to all 3. I know I look healthy but dang, don’t assume anything!!!

He then went to the back and grabbed this metal syringe. That was the poison as he called it. I asked jokingly if I was going to get any Spiderman powers.

After he injected me, I had to wait 90 min. This felt like FOREVER!!

They called my name and I went back into this very cold, white room. I laid on a table and had my arms strapped in this freaked me out. I was told just lay still. I could feel myself starting to panic and they had me take my mask off. This helped me breathe. Towards the end of the test, I thought I was going to start screaming. My chest felt so tight and I couldn’t handle the pressure. At my breaking point, they let me move and I was done.

I went back to work and left early, so I could call the doctor’s office with enough time before they closed. They did not get results and I knew my whole weekend was going to be stressful.

-XO,