Afer my initial diagnosis of oral cancer following a biopsy,I had my CT scan last week 2 days later - as I have already posted it was reasonably straightforward.Canula in the arm and then a short series of scans in a large circular x-ray machine.Dye was injected into my system which made me feel very hot in the chest and bladder area - but this was a temporary sensation.I don't have a problem with needles but I caused a bit of a drama afterwards as I fainted a couple of minutes after the canula was removed.I was detained for a couple of hours while they checked me out - probably all the stress involved.
Went for my MRI scan yesterday determined not to faint(!) and just quietly get through the process.Got that one wrong as I didn't expect what was coming and if I had I think I would have coped much better (or maybe I'm getting a bit soft ?).
I knew I'd have a canula in the arm and be placed in quite a tight cylindrical space as the scans were done.Lying on the bed your head is placed in a small hollow and then a large chunky metal neck brace is placed around your neck and chin and this is clamped to the bed itself.Some large headphones were then placed over my head/ears (very much restricting your hearing) and then a large metal head/face mask tightly fitted to the neck brace, which meant I was completely tightly encased in all of this.I don't think I'm claustrophobic but I must admit I had a bit of a 'moment' when they put the head/face mask on.
I had to ask to sit up and for all of this equipment taken off while I composed myself.Afer a couple of minutes they changed the headphones for foam ear plugs and I had all the equipment put back on and the scans were done - about 30 minutes in total and fairly loud.
I've posted this log just to let people know what they are in for.I can now laugh at my own 'wobble' but I think I would have coped much better if I'd known what to expect.
My surgery is in 2 weeks,but I still don't know the full extent of my cancer or treatment.Good to see this forum and share experiences.