During these dog days of summer, it's difficult to recall those cold days of February when I had my in office cystoscopy. Those results were encouraging and relegated my seeing Dr Previte every six months. He did mention that he wanted new blood work and PSA's done again. Looking at his chart he indicated that my last CT Scan was done two years ago, so he wanted that done again too. He indicated I would hear something from his office.
A few days later I received an authorization form for my PSA test to be done two weeks prior to the in office procedure. That was February. Time went on.
Planning ahead I reviewed my calendar and noticed I had not heard back from his office. I had wanted to book an appointment for my PSA with Quest Diagnostics two weeks prior, but I didn't have the date of the cystoscopy. I contacted his office via my portal and got no response so I called the office directly. I was connected to their answering service and provided my information and request for update. I never heard back. So after a few days I called the office and spoke with someone who said they were waiting for a date from the hospital for the CT Scan so they could book the cystoscopy. I waited a few days and after not hearing anything I called the hospital directly. The agent said they would reach out to the doctor's office.
The next day, I received a call back from the hospital providing me with a date/time for the CT Scan (August 5th). I then received an email from the doctor's office confirming the date/time and a booking for my cystoscopy (August 20th). So I booked my PSA for the afternoon of the 5th. The following day, I received a call from the hospital indicating that lab work needed to be done. So I managed to get that appointment for 8/3.
Today (August 5th), I had an early rehearsal and had to function without any coffee or sustenance due to my required fast. I arrived at Merrimack Health (former Holy Family Hospital in Methuen). Having preregistered when I had my labs done I was able to walk in to the radiation department. Fortunately for me all my required paperwork was waiting for me, so my time in the waiting room was brief.
Carolyn (nurse technician for the CT Scan) called me in and after verifying my identity began to provide an overview of what was coming. Having been through this before, I was half listening, but was attentive. She had me lay down on the slab, bring my pants down to my knees and offer an arm for the IV.
Since she was to my right, I offered my right arm. I did advise her of past experiences with the wandering and/or non productive veins. Like most she ignored my advice and turned me into a pin cushion. To me, it felt almost like she missed the vein and kept pushing into the muscle looking for blood. After profusely apologizing she stabbed me three times until she exclaimed that she might be better off using a smaller gauge needle. She did have luck. So everything was taped down and I was asked to raise my hands over my head so I could enter the tunnel of love. She said the first pass would be without contrast. Everything was fine.
Announcing that the contrast would now be allowed to enter my blood stream, she said I may feel a warm sensation. I did recall the feeling of a hot flash previously. so I was prepared.
However, what I wasn't prepared for was everything running down my arm. I loudly reported that I'm leaking and she quickly stopped the drip,and called for help. Another person (out of my line of view) assisted and assessed that the machine's pressure was too much for the smaller gauge needle. So whatever couldn't get pushed into the vein was pushed out and dribbled down my arm. I did, however, feel 'warm' and she said that meant the contract was working. So she wrapped a towel around my arm and placed it above my head. I had another ride in the tunnel and she said, "It looks good, we are done."
She taped me up and wiped me dry and once again apologized.
I originally had my PSA test scheduled for this afternoon, but not knowing if the contrast or saline would interfere with those results, I scheduled it for tomorrow. (Earlier in the day so being without coffee would be brief.)
I did get the results of my lab work from Monday. My BUN numbers were slightly elevated. My online research didn't raise any red flags, but it is the internet. It's a dependable and trusted source, right?
So, now I wait for the CT Scan results, PSA and finally the Cystoscopy.
More to come!
