I've had them before. You know, or maybe you don't, the moment when you're faced with your own mortality? Those kinds of moments.
In the absence of Daughter, my brother, who is visiting from Costa Rica, took me for a CAT scan on Tuesday. All routine, right? The CAT scan was ordered by my primary care because I have been undergoing severe night sweats.
All nicely routine. Until I was in the pre-procedure room and I was informed there had been a pre-procedure consult and that I needed to make a decision which would involve possible adverse effects due to my rickety kidneys. I needed to have an IV dye so that any possible malignancies could be detected more easily. Sorry for the last-minute decision, but I would need to sign off on this as it was dangerous because of the aforementioned kidneys. After some thought, while my brother kept mum, I agreed and signed off. Loads of water afterwards was recommended.
Cat scan went well; I behaved myself. The dye was weird, warmth throughout the body. I was offered water afterwards and warned to keep flushing water through my system when I left. The staff were amazing, so very kind and gentle.
Brother said afterwards that if I had consulted him, he would have suggested I go for it, just to make sure they caught whatever would show up.
I had to meet moments like this in the past, the worst being in ER a couple of years ago when I had to sign a DNR. Quite chilling.
No results yet, or alarm bells going off. Yes, I am nervous but also fatalistic. I've had a very good run of it considering the lifestyle I embraced for quite a few years.
Many cappuccinos were called for after my adventure. All of us siblings are absolutely mad for our cappuccinos.
Oh cappuccinos as an after-procedure fluid is an amazing idea. I'll remember. I love Jumping Bean as the name for a coffee place. Fingers crossed for an all-clear.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charlotte. I expected to be more stressed about the outcome and am very surprised at how blasé I am.
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I love cappucinos too. I have had that body warming dye once, with an MRI to check for any blockages to blood flow, thankfully there were none.
ReplyDeleteGood outcome for you, River. And much gratitude for the advancement in medical technology.
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I've had a couple of those scans and didn't realise they could be dangerous. But you've survived to tell the tale. Thank goodness for your restorative cappas.
ReplyDeleteA good balance to the stress of the whole business, Andrew.
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Hoping for the best and sending hugs...
ReplyDeleteThanks my dear e, I know you've been through far worse.
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Terry would completely agree with you--a cappuccino is the best way to top off any kind of medical stuff. He often has one at the small coffee shop next door to cardiac rehab. Now, mind you, both places are located INSIDE the hospital building. I think the powers that be know what they are doing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for a cappuccino placement, Delaine! Terry would be welcome at my cappuccino cafe.
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When I heard the American President and Secretary of Health linking measles injections and autism today, it occurred to me that no one can feel confident about medical procedures any more.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary, but then they also removed safety inspections for food, etc. And the USA is becoming a total shambles - an example of what not to do for the rest of the world. Terrifying.
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I'm glad you are dealing with difficult procedures and symptoms with so much calm. I would have taken the dye as well: made sure I understood exactly what I was dealing with so I could make informed choices moving forward.
ReplyDeleteCapuccino is the perfect post procedure pick-me-up :)
It sure is, Kylie and I was so happy my brother was with me. I hate going through stuff alone and just the moral support can be huge.
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I suppose that at some point we will all be staring at death, and making decisions that might hasten demise or put it off for a while longer. Like others, I think you did the right thing, or perhaps it was just an excuse to have more cappuccinos! All the best - David
ReplyDeleteThank you David. I write about the aging challenges as others before me have done so that growing old may not have too many surprises in it. Yes, bring on the cappuccinos, always a good ending!
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