Hi, I had CT scan before mastectomy, felt very nervous beforehand, obviously fear of the unknown, but it was all very quick and painless, no need to undress as long as no metal fastening on clothes, given injection, then whole process took less than 10 mins…..like every step it’s the waiting for results which is actually the hardest bit ( thankfully all clear ). Good luck on Wednesday x
I had CT scan after MRI and before chemo to check it hadn't spread. That was my worst wait for results and worst time mentally throughout the whole journey so I feel for you! They need as much info as possible so I think most get the full body CT scan, but that doesn't make waiting for those results any easier.
The scan itself is very straightforward, doesn't take long and I I had a dye halfway through, which I'd also had for MRI so knew what to expect.
I was booked in to have results at same time I got appointment for CT scan so if you don't know when you're getting the results, I'd ask them as it is really tough waiting for the results even when you know when you're getting them!
I had CT scan pre radiotherapy so they can scan you with and without the breath hold as its my left breast. took a while as there is a lot of measuring involved and it was chilly. like a big polo. bit boring x
So. the machine is kind of circular, and you lie on a comfortable surface that they can move to slide forward and backward as needed into the circular bit to make sure they get the body parts they want in the scan. If your doctor asked for the scan to be done with contrast, they will insert a needle into your arm just before the scan, through which they can inject the dye. If this is the case, then normally they would first do a scan without contrast, then the dye would be injected through the already attached cannula, then they will do a second scan. Sometimes the contrast can give a bit of a warm feeling and the sensation as if you are passing urine, but it goes away quickly.
Once the scan is done the results need to be reviewed by a radiologist, who then produces a report for your oncologist, who would then tell you what was, or wasn't, found in the scan.
From my own experience CT scans have always been straightforward and fast, and the results have always been in within a few days. I hope all goes well for you on Wednesday and fast results with good news for you.
I’m in the same position. I’ve an appointment for a CT scan tomorrow and still haven’t received my onco results. The oncologist was supposed to phone me on Monday but I haven’t heard anything despite leaving 2 messages. The not knowing what’s ahead of you is the worst.
