February is Full Body Nuclear Bone Scan Month - for me

Before chemo starts my oncologist, being the smartest cog in the wheel as far as looking at the big picture since I saw my General Practitioner, ordered a bevy of tests. Assuming that it's good to rule out other issues before we get rolling, this sounds workable to me - as long as nothing turns up.

If something does show up I'm not so good, but let's take this one step at a time. In the meantime, being smarter now after the test than before they started, I recorded some thought on the process and also made notes to pass along.

Wait - Susan - you went nuclear?

OK, it's true, a nuclear bone scan process uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials called tracers which are injected in a vein. These tracers then accumulate in certain organs and tissues, such as bones. I'm not any crazier about it than you are reading it but we do what we need to do.

I was a little hesitant to walk around the streets of Washington DC with  gamma waves radiating from my bones but apparently I didn't glow and they only could be detected by a special camera that produces images that will be gone over sometime today or tomorrow by the radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists at Sibley Hospital.

In the meantime, I'm OK - and here's what I recorded to share when I got home. Maybe it'll help someone else  .......

So tomorrow hopefully they wil have some news for my oncologist. No funky spots will mean I'm clean for now.

I mean lets be realistic. This is an invasive form of breast cancer and it could have sent little emissaries out to hide or grow anywhere in the past 10 years or so. I'm pretty positive most days but still I understand that anything other than a squeaky clean scan means I start worrying - and everyone else will then know to send goodies because I'll be a basket case if that happens - and with good reason.

Do I wish I'd gotten some quick tips before I went today? Sure. But face it people don't like to talk about this stuff. Plus who remembers little details like not wearing something with a tag that will bug you for however long you're lying there.

And I don't want fact sheets from some cold clinical cancer clearinghouse nor someone who wants to sell me a bracelet and a hat and a pin and a a sweatshirt and a . . .  well you know; sometimes the commercialism is just too much and I start avoiding some cancer websites.

Just give me a human face telling me like it is. I hope this might be what you're looking for too.

Comments

[christine lacombe]

Hello Susan,
When I had my bone scan in 1999 prior to beginning my treatment for invasive breast cancer, I remember returning to the office and my 70+ boss stayed in her private office away from me because I guess she was afraid of the radiation I was emitting -- not. Although the technician did tell me not to brush up against any pregnant women, and I thought how pregnant is pregnant?
Take good care,

[Eden Spodek]

I'll be sending positive thoughts your way and hoping the scan is okay. Sharing your experience will help many women who are facing nuclear scans in the future. The health care professionals never seem to give patients enough useful info. before procedures - like don't wear metal glasses and go for the Xanax.
Take care,
Eden

[GHBrett]

My first bone scan the technician kindly covered me with a warmed blanket which really helped by the end of the slow scan.

Interesting how so far some of the tests you're going thru are similar to what I have had for my prostate cancer.

I know that things will be different down the road. But, I'm rooting for you all the way!!

Oh, excuse me, We (the Duckie and I) are Cheering and Holding You in the Light!

[kathryn jones]

aha! thats what we need.. a xanax fund!

am holding you in my heart and in my thoughts....

K

[Toby]

Thanks for the update. Videos make it even more personal. Loved your cat walking by .. beautiful tail!

[Rebecca]

Oh, I hate the commercialism of the pink ribbon stuff. I know they have to raise money for research somehow, but I've read that a lot of companies really don't give that much of a percentage to research. That really stinks. :(

I'm glad you're doing well. So many people I know have dealt with breast cancer, but nobody ever talked about it, so it's interesting to see what it's like to be down in the trenches. I hope it helps you to share as much as it helps others to have access to all this info!

[kate t]

Hi Susan. I wanted to suggest that you look into going to a specialty place for your next scans. I have PETscans every three months (give or take) and highly recommend Metro Regional Pet Center - they even have an office in Annandale so you don't have to schlep up to Sibley. They're very friendly and provide a comforting environment...plus they give out goodie bags afterwards (water, snacks).

I sincerely hope your next test is a better experience.
Warmth,
kate t
http://www.woodburnnm.com/contact_directions_pet.htm