CT planning scan

Hi

I was very anxious about mine last week for similar reasons I suspect but it was fine. I had 3 female staff who were just lovely and explained everything as they did it. I got the sense that they ate used to dealing with women in various states of trauma and disorientation and behave accordingly 

I came away with all my appointments which was good for me. It is very odd to have people measuring you but so important to the planning and they explained everything. 

I was upfront with them that I was anxious and claustrophobic and they were super reassuring 

Hope that helps xx

Please don’t be worried about your planning scan

Radiotherapy departments use wide bore scanners which have a much wider aperture so the are not claustrophobic.

in a 30 minute appointment only about 5 minutes is actually scanning time.The rest is explanation,positioning and measuring.

The staff are used to dealing with anxious patients.Tell them how you are feeling and ask them to talk to you whilst scanning if you would like that.

In the meantime you could maybe look up some relaxation exercises on line…..visualisation would be best.

take care

Thank you Jurassicgirl for your reassurance, I am going to let them know how anxious I feel, I have counselling too so I am going to try & work on the way I feel beforehand.

I’m glad your scan went well & good luck with your radio xx 

Hello exraygirl, 

Thank you for your message. 

I am definitely going to ask the radiographer to talk to me during the appointment, my fear comes from when i originally attended the breast clinic & had an ultrasound & i instantly knew by the atmosphere in the room that I had breast cancer & went into total panic. 

i know the planning scan is to do just that, plan your radiotherapy however I am terrified of them telling me they have found something else whilst they were looking, I know this is something I’ve got to try to manage & I will look up the relaxation exercises online.

thanks again xx 

Hi And80 

I completely understand your fear and it was the same for me. I was worried something that had been missed would show up. I think once you've been through this diagnostic experience it stays with you and your mind goes into overdrive. On one hand your rationale head says don't be silly but the emotional head takes over and can be very powerful.

It will be fine I'm sure and they are great in my experience but I totally get where you are and send huge  hugs and reassurance that it'll be ok 

Xxx

Hi

I understand your fears. I think we’ve all had those thoughts.

Sending hugs x

Hi Jurassicgirl 

I understand that fear totally, but the planning CT is not diagnostic, so I didn't seem to be as stressed as all the other scans, it's mainly measurements and points ready for the treatment. Mine was stress free after all the unknown stressy ones so try not to worry too much. Came away with list of appointments so it all felt very positive and reassuring.

Xxx

Hi 

Yes agree totally ..my list of appointments felt very positive x

Hi Jen, 

thank you xx 

Hi exraygirl,

I finally had my ct planning scan yesterday, the radiographer was lovely & tried to reassure me of my fears, she couldn’t however tell me anything afterwards regarding if the scan was ok, she said she wasn’t able to, but said the scan went well please try not to worry. Is this normal procedure? I have such a phobia of scans it’s so silly but I can’t help it xx