Today I have a chest x-ray at Derby hospital, I’m not at all worried about this, as there’s nothing to it. If anything, I’m more concerned about the results.
Mum & Dad take me to the hospital.
I tell them I will call them when the x-ray is done.
Shortly after waiting in the waiting room, a member of staff escorts me to the changing rooms, he asks me to strip off in a changing room, put on 2 of their gowns, then put my clothes in a plastic basket, which he gave me.
He then told me to sit on a chair just outside the changing rooms, they will call me when they are ready. I was told to take the basket with me to keep my things safe, then leave it just outside the changing rooms once I have finished getting changed into my clothes.
I took my own dressing gown with me, so when I got changed, I put one of their gowns on, then put mine on over the top, felt a bit more comfortable wearing my own.
A nurse called me into the x-ray room.
I took my basket of clothes with me, put it down on the floor.
The nurse introduced herself and said she would be performing the x-ray. She was a lovely lady, quite chatty, asked how I ended up in Derby hospital, I told her about my cancer, she seemed really interested.
I had to lay on the bed, so I kicked off my shoes.
The nurse inserted a cannula into my arm, this would be for the contrast dye.
The nurse asked me to breathe in, then breathe out, then hold my breath, for a few seconds. Then breathe as normal. I had to do this 3 or 4 times. There was about 5-10 minutes between each x-ray, the whole process took about an hour. Before the last x-ray, I was asked to sit up on the edge of the bed for 10 minutes, this would be to allow the contrast dye to drain from my kidneys.
After the x-ray was complete, the nurse told me the results, which surprised me, as I thought I would have to wait for this.
The nurse told me both my kidneys are working fine, no blockages or leakages.
She told me she will pass this onto Mr Thomas, my surgeon.
Now I have the results, one thing less to worry about.
I’m now free to go, I slip my shoes back on, go to a changing room, get changed.
I called Mum, she told me they were on their way from the car park. I waited a little while, then they pulled up just outside and surprised me with a coffee.
I was so pleased, as I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink for 4 hours before my appointment time.
