What?
I had some troublesome abdominal pain this week. Not sure exactly what was causing it. The Dr. wanted to be sure it wasn't serious so she ordered a CT scan.
I drank some nasty "smoothie" that was supposed to provide contrast for the pictures. I figured that was all I would have to do.
When they got me on the table, the nurse informed me that she would be starting an IV. Oh Junk. I didn't realize an IV was involved. She told me that the liquid placed in the IV would also provide contrast for the photos.
I bravely laid my arm out and looked away while she found a vein. This is the actual conversation I had with her...
Nurse, "Now, as the contrast enters your body you are going to feel warmth and perhaps a copper taste in your mouth. You will also feel like you are peeing your pants. Don't worry, you aren't actually peeing your pants. It's just the sensation you will feel."
Me, "Come again?"
The nurse then repeats herself.
Me, "Thanks for the heads up on that one."
Good heavens, she was right! You totally feel like you just peed your pants. I wanted to laugh out loud but I figured I better behave myself so I could get this test over with.
You know what kept going through my head, a line from Christmas Vacation...
Cousin Eddie: "They had to replace my metal plate with a plastic one. Every time Catherine would rev up the microwave, I'd "pee" my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour."
I've actually lost count of how many CT's with oral and IV contrast I've had since May... I'm guessing maybe somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 or so? Yeah - that smoothy stuff AIN'T pretty - in fact, they now have to give me chemo strength nausea meds before I have to drink it just so I can choke it down. *shudder* Blech!
ReplyDeleteAnd I gotta say - it still - every single time - makes me feel like I've just peed my pants. Isn't that the wierdest thing?
The really amazing thing - no matter how bothersome it is to have these things done - is that God can use it to give the medical team a more than a passing understanding of what's going on inside. Isn't that cool?! It wasn't that many years ago that that simply wasn't even a possibility.
I'll be praying that your outcomes are helpful, and your pain issue resolved - in quick order! :)
I love your sense of humor. I can always count on a good laugh from your wonderful stories! You blessed me today - THANKS!
ReplyDeleteI had that done once too. When the nurse told me that I thought she was just exagerating. Then the IV kicked in and I realized she wasn't. Just imagine someone's reaction if the nurse forgot to warn them: ) Praying the CT gives some answers.
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