I have now had a CT, MRI and PET scan all within the span of 2 months. I feel I am now an expert on scans, although I'm not sure how that would be a benefit! LOL
My PET scan was in Vancouver and it went well. I wasn't aware that they make you sit for 45 minutes in a private room while the radiated sugar solution works its way through your body. They won't let you look at your phone or bring you something to read, either. The nurse just offered to put on the radio for me. It's a long time to wait and stare at the wall, but all in all, it's a straightforward procedure. They check your height/weight/blood pressure/blood sugar levels, then put in the IV for the solution. You wait 45 minutes or so, then they send you to the washroom because after drinking about 2 litres of water beforehand, all patients would have to use the facilities. I was also starving, since you have to fast for at least 6 hours before the scan. My appointment was at 3:30, so I finished breakfast at about 8:45am and so my stomach was grumbling. By the time I left, it was about 5:30pm, so that's a long day with no food.
After the scan, I met up with my bestie and her lovely roommates. They cooked a healthy, delicious dinner of salmon, salad, roasted potatoes and corn. Heaven! The next day, I did some shopping in Vancouver with my friend, then took in a movie in the late afternoon. We headed for a sushi dinner afterwards, and then I headed to the ferry to come back home. It was a nice, little weekend break.
I did some more work in my bathroom with my bro-in-law on Sunday. It's the renovation that never ends. I'm hoping the mudding and sanding will be finished this week, so I can paint. Once that's done, I should be able to bring in my plumber friend to put in the toilet and vanity. Having running water in there will be a huge step!
I still don't have a surgery date, but I'm confident I'll hear from the oncologist this week. I wanted to have the surgery before the warm weather set in, but everything seems to be dragging on. On the bright side, my new eating regimen has helped me to lose quite a bit of weight. I've lost almost 20 pounds, and I weigh about the same as I did in my early 30s. Small victory!
I've also been contemplating how I want to spend the remaining years of my life. Whether it's my diagnosis or a mid-life crisis, I'm seriously trying to figure out where I want to invest my time and energy. The things that are interesting to me these days are related to environmental issues and sustainability. I'm thinking of joining a few local organizations to volunteer some time ... perhaps this might lead to other things. I guess I'll have to just wait and see what unfolds. If my recovery time from surgery is 6 weeks, I guess I'll have lots of time to think about next steps.
One final thought ... I wrote a rough draft of a will, because I want to get my will written before my surgery. Not that I think I'm at any great risk, but it's better to be prepared. Avoidance is not the right approach in these situations. Therefore, I would like to encourage everyone to think about that. Most people I know do not have a will, but I think when you get to my age, it's important.
Have a great week, everyone!!
Here are some photos from the past few days:
My PET scan was in Vancouver and it went well. I wasn't aware that they make you sit for 45 minutes in a private room while the radiated sugar solution works its way through your body. They won't let you look at your phone or bring you something to read, either. The nurse just offered to put on the radio for me. It's a long time to wait and stare at the wall, but all in all, it's a straightforward procedure. They check your height/weight/blood pressure/blood sugar levels, then put in the IV for the solution. You wait 45 minutes or so, then they send you to the washroom because after drinking about 2 litres of water beforehand, all patients would have to use the facilities. I was also starving, since you have to fast for at least 6 hours before the scan. My appointment was at 3:30, so I finished breakfast at about 8:45am and so my stomach was grumbling. By the time I left, it was about 5:30pm, so that's a long day with no food.
After the scan, I met up with my bestie and her lovely roommates. They cooked a healthy, delicious dinner of salmon, salad, roasted potatoes and corn. Heaven! The next day, I did some shopping in Vancouver with my friend, then took in a movie in the late afternoon. We headed for a sushi dinner afterwards, and then I headed to the ferry to come back home. It was a nice, little weekend break.
I did some more work in my bathroom with my bro-in-law on Sunday. It's the renovation that never ends. I'm hoping the mudding and sanding will be finished this week, so I can paint. Once that's done, I should be able to bring in my plumber friend to put in the toilet and vanity. Having running water in there will be a huge step!
I still don't have a surgery date, but I'm confident I'll hear from the oncologist this week. I wanted to have the surgery before the warm weather set in, but everything seems to be dragging on. On the bright side, my new eating regimen has helped me to lose quite a bit of weight. I've lost almost 20 pounds, and I weigh about the same as I did in my early 30s. Small victory!
I've also been contemplating how I want to spend the remaining years of my life. Whether it's my diagnosis or a mid-life crisis, I'm seriously trying to figure out where I want to invest my time and energy. The things that are interesting to me these days are related to environmental issues and sustainability. I'm thinking of joining a few local organizations to volunteer some time ... perhaps this might lead to other things. I guess I'll have to just wait and see what unfolds. If my recovery time from surgery is 6 weeks, I guess I'll have lots of time to think about next steps.
One final thought ... I wrote a rough draft of a will, because I want to get my will written before my surgery. Not that I think I'm at any great risk, but it's better to be prepared. Avoidance is not the right approach in these situations. Therefore, I would like to encourage everyone to think about that. Most people I know do not have a will, but I think when you get to my age, it's important.
Have a great week, everyone!!
Here are some photos from the past few days:
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| Got my 10,000 steps in while walking around Vancouver on Saturday - and no rain! |
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| Leaving Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal - heading for home. |
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| A beautiful sunset view from the ferry as we were leaving Horseshoe Bay. |
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| Sunday night's sunset from our balcony. It was a fiery red ... the photo doesn't do it justice. |
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