Scan after 4 rounds of Chemo and Immunotherapy.

HI JD

Sorry you are having such a hard time with the scan. It is very normal reaction and pretty everyone would be the same. 

Re cannulae your vein, do you have PICC or a port for chemo? An oncology nurse can set a line up before the CT scan, so the radiographer can use the line instead of cannulate themselves. I have a port, so I make appointments with the radiology department and oncology nurse together. The contrast will go through my port instead. 

I try to think the scan is just a data point and it is already what it is. My thoughts have no influence on the result. It just provides data for the oncologist for the next step. Thinking the worst is normal as our brain is programmed to do this for survival. However, thoughts are not facts. You can choose not to believe in it. On a practical level, try to keep yourself busy, and keep repeating thoughts are not facts when you start to think the worst.

Take care and best wishes 

Stella x

Stella, as always you make me feel so much better. You write so much sense and it is the sort of sense I used to use with others but sadly cannot apply it to myself. 

I have heard about these ports but I don't need one for chemo or blood tests as it is only the radiologists that have an issue, I wondered if a nurse would be able to cannulate. Either way I think it's worth discussing it with someone don't you?

Thank you again for your kindness.

Take care

JD

PS it didn't help when someone (not medical) said people in my situation last 3 to 6 months I can't unhear that.

Hi JD

If the radiographer could write a note down as you need to see a nurse for cannulas beforehand then it can be arranged, so it worth a discussion with them.

I don’t think we can ‘think’ ourselves out of a horrible situation but by doing things you enjoy, action can leads to better feelings overall. 

Take care x

Hi JD

At my cancer treatment clinic, they always applied a heated pad to my hand for 15 mins before attempting to cannulate. This was standard practice for everyone at the clinic. It helped to warm up the vein they were going to use. 

So, I'm wondering if you could try something similar? You can buy self-heating pads at outdoor shops ( good for putting in pockets to keep your hands warm!). Place it up your sleeve 15 minutes before you arrive for the scan, so your arm is warm. This may help them to find a vein.

Hope you have better luck next time!

And best wishes for good news on results day.

xxx Kate

Hi 

I've had the contrast dye leaking into the tissue before.  What a right mess it makes of your arm!  The nurse apologised and said she should have redone it.  It didn't go in properly.  

Nurses are pros at cannulation and radiographers aren't.  I once arrived at A&E CT scan and the radiographer said "no cannula? I can do it as long as you have good veins!". 

But I do think 2/2 struggles is a bit unfortunate.  There's a hand tool they can use which makes the veins glow which can help them see a good one, or soak your hands in warm water, or use a hand heater blanket which makes the veins bigger.  

You could ask for their best cannula person?  After 2 struggles, you're definitely due a good experience.  

Thank you so much for the tip Kate it is appreciated. 

Best Wishes

JD

Previously ok as always cannulated by a nurse. I am hoping that I can arrange for this in future otherwise all my veins will be ruined

Thanks for sharing

JD

Hi JD, I too have terrible problems with cannulas but as soon as I arrive in the department now I ask them to get the best person they have to do it. I have a 2 strikes rule. If they try twice and don’t get the vein, I don’t allow them to try again as in “2 strikes and you are out!” By now they all know this and usually when I have an aptm I get the same nurse to put the cannula in before the radiologist arrives.

The hand tool Mmum was talking about is great, you can also ask for that. We have to speak up and let them know there is a problem Before anyone attempts to do it. I always have my heat pads in my gloves on my way to hospital, don’t care if it is summer or winter, it makes things easier!

Hi JD, when going for bloods there's one nurse in our surgery who always has trouble with my veins. On one occasion she tried 3 times without success and wouldn't try again even though I wanted her to but she asked me to come back the next morning with a hot water bottle attached to my arm. The next morning it took a further 2 attempts before success. When searching for a vein she used to draw the needle back and try a different angle whilst in search of that elusive vein!

I have an incurable bone marrow cancer and I also have haemochromatosis and before my cancer diagnosis I was getting my iron levels checked every 4 weeks at least at a different hospital. There, the nurses got everyone to drink a plastic cup full of water that made the veins swell before they took blood. 

Once in a different hospital I was there for 10 days and the phlebotomist used to come round every morning about 6.30. She had difficulty one morning and said she would have to go in arterially which stung immensely. 

Good luck in the future JD

Tvman x

Thank you for your input it will really help me down the line. 

Best wishes

JD