Need to offload to anonymous

Hi Mack. It is hard trying to calm the nerves before these procedures. The thing with scans is that you are not told anything on the day. The images go away to be analysed. So try not to worry tonight and save it for another day. Best wishes.

Best wishes for your scan.Jane 

Good luck with your scan, we all know the anxiety you are feeling, but tomorrow you wont find out anything , its just a day like the others. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

Hi Mack 

My poison is chocolate so I get you re wine and cigarettes. The thing is they don't help either. What helps me is realising that all I can do with this illness is accept I am not in control but that I am doing everything I can do to get over it. 

CTs are a regular thing in our lives. They don't hurt and once done I go off and do something I enjoy. The waiting goes off into the background (after several years of practice) and I deal with the report when I get it. Up to now, as far as the cancer is concerned, it has been good news. 

I have had to deal with things picked up on scans, and in fact they have  also been life-saving, however much I wish I didn't know about them  the fact I do means I can deal with them.

My tip with scans, have a scan outfit- no metal so no need for a gown, chat to other patients,  smile at the person cannulating me, ask about how busy they are (forget myself), have a short lie down - remembering some deep breathing until told to hold my breath, and out for a nice coffee with my husband.

Worry about the results (or not) when I get them. Works for me and maybe with practice for you.

All the best,

Latestart

At least you are sharing your worries here, in a safe place! I understand the concern about the scan, but they will probably only be concentrating on specific areas near the bladder.  Really important to be sure what is the most appropriate treatment for you.  The worst bit for me was the drink of contrast dye beforehand which tasted of aniseed which I hate. They disguised it with lemon squash which was way too sweet. 

Is there a cancer support service linked to your hosp? Mine has a Maggie's centre - I did once pop in after a CT scan when I felt rather down. They are usuallyvery good at support.

Hi Teasswill,

When I have contrast it is via a cannula so I'm already lying down. These days they come in and check it has worked ie gone into my arm though years ago they used to ask via the intercom. That's also the point when they say I may feel as if I've wet myself and I tell them that  would be a miracle (since I no longer have a bladder.) Then they go out and restart the machine.

Cheers us both up.

All the best

Latestart

Hello Mack, you are not a headcase. You are merely trying to balance the stresses of bladder cancer with a touch of alcohol and tobacco. You already know that these substances are highly unlikely to help your situation and you will, no doubt, reflect and adjust your dosage to minimise the risks. I used to enjoy real ale and had smoked a pipe until 2010. The ale began to give me hangovers even if I only had less than half a pint. I never drank heavily but eventually got the message. I rarely drink now. I suddenly became bored with smoking in 2010. Just stopped. However, when sorting through a drawer the other day I found my pipe. It was tempting until I saw the price of tobacco - that was enough to switch the temptation off. Regarding health, I also have limits to what I want to discover. I keep getting sent bowel cancer kits....   They get stuffed in the drawer, unopened. I have got bladder cancer, a slightly dicky heart and osteoarthritis in both hips, plus I'm 76, so adding to the list does not seem to me to offer any benefit, just more time looking for parking spaces at hospitals. Nevertheless, CT scans are ok. It helps the medics to tune your treatment or often simply enables them to give you good news 4-6 weeks later. Go easy on the wine .  Ray   

Hi. Looks like a CT Scan is different to when you got one. I only had to drink 500ml of water then after 15mins., the cannula went in. Three different substances (can’t remember them) went through the cannula after which I was told to empty my bladder. My CT Scan was for Chest, Kidney, Pelvis, Bladder and Liver may have also been on the list but I can’t confirm that. I stupidly didn’t pay enough attention. My appointment was for 13:15 (we arrived 10 minutes early) and it was all over by 14:20 with another few minutes added onto that due to a visit to the Loo. Then, before exiting the hospital campus, yet another visit to the Loo. Just got home in time to visit the Loo, at speed, two steps at a time up the stairs, for the third time. Unfortunately we don’t have a downstairs Loo and when my husband goes in for a bath he forgets to come out which is a bit of a problem for me. Or at least it was. What we do have (not tried out as yet) is a walk-in cupboard under the stairs and a large pail with a lid courtesy of Amazon. 

I will. Thank-you.

Yes, mine was only abdomen. I remember the ‘wetting yourself’ injection feeling too. Oddly I don’t recall needing to have a full bladder. The test I do sometimes have which is a trial is a renogram. That entails a diuretic and if I drink too much beforehand I can need to empty every 20 min for awhile!

Your bucket under the stairs sounds a good idea. When we were having work done and limited toilet access, I got out an old toddler potty to use…