Hi Kerri,

Magic mouthwash is a compound prescription that usually consists of 3 different medications � the medications can vary so some may be a �swish & spit� and others may be �swish & swallow�. So you would need to verify with your doctor what yours is and when you can take it. The one I had required refrigeration and had a short shelf life. I hope the one you have helps with the pain.

I�ve had a PET/CT scan a few times, and every time I�m a nervous wreck before the scan (and until I get the results). I believe you just had surgery so don�t be too alarmed if the scan shows some �hot� spots in the area where you had surgery. Typically they recommend waiting 3 months after surgery to have the scan (which is not an option in your case) and 3 months between scans to minimize the �false positives�. When that happened to me my doctor sent me for a FNA (fine needle aspiration/biopsy) of the reactive �hot� nodes which were then negative for cancer. (Caution � a FNA takes a sample of the cells in the nodes, so there is the possibility that there are cancerous cells present, but were missed during the sampling.)

The PET scan measures sugar uptake in cells � cancerous cells take up more sugar and will show as a �hot� spot on the PET scan. About 30-45 minutes before the scan begins you will be given an IV so take a book with you or you can even take a nap. They should have given you some prep instructions to follow regarding your diet � what to eat and not eat � basically avoid sugar. Here are some instructions that I put together from a few different sources (including the OCF forum):

How to Prepare for your PET Exam

DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM

1. Patient should eat a low carbohydrate diet.
2. Patient is not to engage in strenuous activity or exercise. If job is not too labor extensive, the patient may go.

DAY OF TEST

1. No food 6 hours prior to test.
2. No caffeine or nicotine products 5 hours prior to test.
3. No diuretics the day of the test (water pills, Lasix). Take all other medications as normal.
4. No gum chewing, no hard candy, and no breath mints the day of the test.
5. Drink 16-24 oz. of water prior to test.
6. Drink plenty of fluid after the test to flush out the system.
7. Wear comfortable clothing. Room temperature is approximately 72 degrees.
8. PET/CT sites � NO METAL ON CLOTHING
9. Test takes 45-90 minutes. Total time is 2 hours.

***** From another source *****

24 hours prior to your appointment:

Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products for 24 hours prior to your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine.

12 hours prior to your appointment:

� Stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. (See guide on what to eat.)
� Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
� Do NOT chew gum.
� Avoid mints.

6 hours prior to your appointment:

� Do NOT eat anything.
� Drink several glasses of water (2-6).
� Take any prescribed medications as usual.
� If you need to eat, please stick to a small protein-only meal.

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guide

Foods allowed: Protein
� All meats
� Hard cheeses
� Unsweetened peanut butter
� Tofu
� Eggs
� Oil, margarine, butter
� Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach

Foods NOT Allowed: Carbohydrates
� Cereal
� Pasta
� Dry beans
� Fruit and fruit juices
� Sugar and candy
� Starchy vegetables, such as peas, corn and potatoes
� Alcohol
� Bread
� Rice
� Gravy
� Jams and jellies
� Honey
� Milk (including non-dairy milk)
� Coffee or tea

I wish you the best! You can count on your OCF friends to help you through this once again.