The Metastatic Cancer Patient's Guide to the CT Scan in 16 Easy Steps

Cingratulations!  So glad the results were negative!!

Ask your oncologist for an RX for the topical cream that contains lidocaine.  Then liberally rub it on the skin where you will be "poked" at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time.  I've had blood drawn, dye injected, even immunizations without feeling the needle at all.  A great product!!!

I'm delighted to hear that they found that vein on the first stick.  I have difficult veins too.  Once after four tries, they called the doc and then did the CT without the injection.  I'm even more delighted to hear that you got good news from the results.

...to express the technique AND your thoughts/feelings/conversations.  You nailed it...the experience hasn't changed in 8 years but after my "terminal" diagnosis - I sure have.  I always took a blanket and other cozies.  My husband gave me a stuffed animal (dragon whcih screamed when squeezed and expressed my sentiments exactly), and besides comforting me it, garnered attention and made it so I was not just another "bald head in the crowd". Oh, and over the course of treatments and follow-up appointments, I needed to be strapped into some of the scanners because they are so narrow and I am not - after the first loose one, in which I believe lots of loud in-head prayers and being frozen in fear held me in place, I decided I WAS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE, by golly, and I would not let the Technologist begin until I felt secure.  An hour sometimes seems like an eternity  and cancer/chemo treatment puts a person more out of control than most people can/will or should ever imagine...so something  irrelevant to a worker who has never been in one can seem like  (and certainly is) A HUGE DEAL and an element of self-control not to mention self-esteem.

Thanks for being there and writing this!

Abundance of everything all good, JoJo