CT scan next week; should I take someone along for moral support or go it alone?

[LackaDAISYcal]

I'm booked in for a CT scan next week to check for spread of uterine cancer outside of the womb.

Never having been in this situation before I have no idea what to expect. Should I take someone along for moral support? DH and I are aware that he will be needing to take a lot of time off work in the coming weeks as I have to have a hysterectomy, regardless of the scan results so we would rather wait and use his time when it's really needed, but...

I'm crapping myself more than a little bit and wondering whether I should have someone with me?

[CMOTDibbler]

It will be a very quick in, lie down, scan is less than a minute, out again sort of thing - they won't be able to tell you anything there.

But if there is anyone else who can go with you as more of a distraction thing, then you might want to do that

[LackaDAISYcal]

The letter said to allow an hour; half an hour for the contrast medium to take effect and half an hour for the scan! I assume they are going to either make me drink something horrible, squirt it up my bum or inject it into me...

Will be an interesting experience I suppose

[ItsmypartyandIll]

CT scans are quick, and involve contrast injected into a drip cannula in the arm... Its the doughnut shaped scanner, not the long winded MRI so should be straight forward

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

I've had an abdominal CT and I worked in an x ray department for a while.

The contrast medium can either be a drink or an injection, sometimes both (I remember having both, the liquid doesn't taste too bad but there's quite a lot to drink), all this does is highlight the blood supply so it's easier for them to spot. If it's an injection (it usually is) they will put a cannula in your hand before the scan, and during the scan they will pause the machine and will give you an injection in the cannula. It will make you feel as if you've wet yourself as it will give you a warm sensation but it passes very quickly. They usually don't allow anyone in the scan room with you as it's a fairly high radiation level but he'll be OK to wait outside. The scans usually take about 15-20 minutes but they ask you to hang around for a little while afterwards incase the contrast medium has caused a reaction.

You can call the department if you have any worries, they will talk to you about what's going on.

I'm wishing you all the best

[LackaDAISYcal]

Thank You

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

[Theonlyoneiknow]

I went on my own for a brain CT scan and was ok. You are in and out quickly and they don't give you any results there and then. It would be more from a hand holding perspective before and after for your DH. If you think he will need a lot if time off post Op it might be better then x hope it goes ok

[Le1890]

I've had an MRI scan and although not same, I had to leave my husband in the waiting room so was on my own the whole time anyway. That said I can understand why you would want someone there for support. What about taking a friend alOng that way dh can save his time off or after you op...x

[LackaDAISYcal]

thanks theonlyoneiknow. Brain CT must have been quite daunting...I hope all is well x

[LackaDAISYcal]

oooh, cross posts. I may ask a friend

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Yes thanks, it was very bizarre as I totally lost my sense of smell and was experiencing phantom smells when there shouldn't be a smell ie running the tap. Scan showed nothing of concern and a few worrying months later it just came back, most odd!

[LackaDAISYcal]

olfactory migraines? I had an incidence of smelling cigarette smoke when there was none and convinced myself it was migraine. Turns out it was a sinus infection and this is a common symptom...

[Theonlyoneiknow]

They said it was likely to be a result of swelling during pregnancy (but this was after DS was born) although not sure if that would explain the phantom smells! it was most bizarre sticking my head in a jar of coffee or pickled onions and smelling nothing!

[LackaDAISYcal]

must have been bizarre as we process smells on such a subconscious level. I remember being given my 8 mo nephew to hols when my own DS was only weeks old, and his smell hit me like a slap in the face and all I could think was "that's not my baby!"

had you had an epidural during the birth or anything that would cause this swelling?