CT Scan #2

On Wednesday I had my second CT scan. My doctor wants to see if my lymph nodes that were slightly enlarged at the first CT scan have gone back to normal size. I get the results next week.

It's an interesting experience. After I drank the Barium Sulphate suspension, that tastes like a berry smoothie, I waited 45 minutes to be called in. The nurse inserted an IV line and then I was called into the scan room. I lay down on a long table fully dressed, boots and all. I have to hold very still while I go through a doughnut shaped machine, for 5-7 minutes. About half way through the dye is inserted into the IV line and a warm flush follows over my whole body. There is a taste in my mouth. A disembodied voice intones loudly "don't swallow", then "take a deep breath and hold", then "breathe", then "arms over your head" as I go back & forth through the machine.


About half an hour after it was all over, all of my fingers started to itch and turn red. Fortunately it was a short lived reaction and was gone by the time I arrived home.