First PET scan in 2 years

Day 1087.

It’s getting cold now in Wellington. Normally this means I feel like snuggling under a cosy blanket, but I have felt very productive and energetic recently. I have tackled 2 new DIY projects in 3 weeks.

I unexpectedly got a call from the radiology service two weeks ago.

My cardiologist referred me for a PET scan through the hospital. Here in New Zealand this was fully covered by the public health system.

The scan itself was not unexpected - my cardiologist mentioned it at my last outpatient appointment. But I had only expected it in September.

It’s been a while

The last PET scan I had was almost two years ago.

Since then my medication has changed a few times. My prednisone and methotrexate dosages were reduced.

So there is a small chnace that there is new inflammation. But I am feeling really, really good at the moment.

If there is inflammation I would be shocked.

Preparing

I dreaded the pre-scan preparation diet. As with each previous scan, the preparation was slightly different to before.

Prep still started 72 hours before the scan and fasting 16 hours before.

I was only allowed black tea or coffee, and water to drink. To eat only protein - meat, fish and eggs.

This time there was a lot more detail on times to fast overnight - even in the 72 hour period.

Getting scanned

The scan was uneventful. I was in ketosis and blood sugar was perfect.

My veins were tricky again. I had to hold a hot glove to wake up the veins in my hand. Then I had an IV placed.

After the IV I had an hour to rest before the injection. And then another hour for the injection to develop in my system. This was an extra hour to previous scans.

I was surprised again by how cold the room with the machine is. Brrrr! Luckily they give patients a blanket for the scan.

The nurses were lovely throughout.

Post scan snack

The most important thing post-scan is a non-meat snack. This time I took something healthy with me: delicious date balls. Yum!