Scintigraph

Just returned from my Scintigraph. That's the one where they inject you with radiation to see what the bones are doing. It was at Poitiers hospital, a drive we don't particularly enjoy. We parked in what I thought was the dedicated parking then had to walk endless corridors to find the right place. It's at low air pressure, so the radioactivity doesn't get sucked out into the rest of the hospital.

The injection was painful. I assume that because I've had so many blood tests they couldn't find a vein in either arm. That meant the catheter for the atomic stuff went into the back of my hand. Ouch.

We were then left to our own devices for an hour in which we got bored (and the stress level raised). I was given instructions NOT to used any of the toilets in the rest of the hospital because of radioactivity.

The test was uncomfortable, arms raised above my head while the machine did it's thing. They said I kept moving (I'm sure I didn't).

Anyways...

Nothing to report yet (of course) except I don't feel like I've got an atomic willy. In fact, none of me feels Godzilla-ish at all. 

I'm beginning to think that Japanese sci-fi is a crock.

Two Phone Calls

The first was from the urologists secretary, making me an appointment for a full body MRI at Châtellerault hospital on 8 February.

The second was from Poitiers hospital. I'm having a scintigraph on 23 January.

It's THAT word

I had an appointment with the Urologist today. They found cancer in most of the 12 biopsies, now I have to have a full body MRI scan and a Scintigraph. The level of cancer is not the worst it could be, being level 2 out of 5.

My full body MRI is the 8th Feb, and I will be contacted with the date for the Scintigraph.

Dr says there is no panic about having to wait a month, and was reassuring. 

It's just that word that's scary.

Not feeling too bad physically, just a shocked to tell the truth. My head's spinning.

Biopsy

Today was the day they started snipping bits off me.

The day started with a long shower using the betadine, nasty smelly stuff that it is. The undercarriage and adjacent  parts getting particular attention to give the urologist a clean work surface (understandably).

We arrived at the clinic at 11:15 for an 11:30 intervention. After wending our way to what we hoped was the correct waiting room we sat and waited. The problem with getting to an appointment early is that it allows time for the stress levels to rise.

After a while the nurses showed me to a nice private cubical and allowed me to remove my trousers and underpants and wrap a (too small) towel around my waist to preserve decency. I was then led to what I assume was a gynecologist's bench. I sat on the bench, the towel was removed, and my legs placed in the stirrups.

So much for preserving decency.

The bench was raised so my bum was at eye level to someone who was seated, the the urologist arrived. He said he was going to administer a local anaesthetic (more stuff stuck up my bum) but did I want nitrous oxide as well. Damn right I did.

I don't know what a bee sting on the inside of your bum is like, but I can guess. Twelve times.

Afterwards he asked how it was, and I told him I have felt more dignified. I was then allowed to dress (in private, because a bloke might be shy), given a list of instructions, and sent home.

Now it's not painful, but uncomfortable. I know they have to warn you about things that may happen, but it's always scary when they start talking about the possibility of fever and immediate antibiotic injections. My next appointment is 11 January, so I guess that's when I get the results.

Pharmacy

Off to the pharmacy to buy betadine with which to wash myself before the biopsy.

A General Visit to the Doc

I had an appointment with Dr L (my GP) today. We discussed the upcoming biopsy, arranged a COVID booster, and because my cousin had recently had shingles, a shingles vaccination.

She is a calming influence, just when I start getting stressed.

Bone Marrow

I went to the urologist today. The MRI scan last week was clear as far as infection of the bone marrow (phew!!), so the next step is a biopsy in 2 weeks time. They take 12 samples these days, but it's only 3 minutes work.