Tuesday's Pet scan was a gas. I awoke at 7:10AM for a 7:30AM appointment. Somehow I got to Columbus Circle Imaging on time albeit, looking like a dishrag. Thirsty (no fluids before the test) and tired, I filled out my paperwork and was then escorted to meet Chris, my tech for the morning. It took two techs to poke, prod, and find a cooperative vein into which a radioactive liquid (tracer) was injected and caused a cooling sensation throughout my arm.
Chris then asked me, "So, what flavor beverage would you like?" Beverage? Are we on an airplane? No, we're in a cold, sterile basement with intimidating machines, one shaped like a donut, which is going to scan me from my head to my knees. There are no beverages served here, only chalky, creamy, gag inducing liquids with a touch of fruit flavor also known as Barium Sulphate Contrast Suspension (a contrasting agent). I chose apple. I was led to a small room with a reclining chair, a newspaper and a heater and was left to sip my vile drink while for the next 55 minutes, the tracer got absorbed into my body's organs. After successfully finishing my apple essence Elmer's-Glue-like diluted milkshake, I took a nap.
The scan was easy enough because I was not entirely enclosed in the donut; it should be tolerated well even for the severely claustrophobic. The only challenge was keeping very still for a half hour but I was strapped on to the bed rather snuggly and was able to catch another few Z's. I then got dressed, waited for my CD and was on my merry way.
Although Al Gore never mentions this, I think what ensued next might partially be responsible for global warming. Oh my goodness, the rumbling, the sounds, the explosive nature of this so called beverage really warranted some sort of warning especially while wearing a down coat, trapping the gas like a Dutch oven, and heading into work. I had so much gas in me I thought people were going to separate into odd-even lines. This lasted, hmmm, pretty much the entire day and all I can say is thank goodness a) I have my own office and b) I didn't asphyxiate myself.
Before I hit you with the results, I just want to say if you're still reading this entry, I thank for not leaving.
The following day my oncologist called with the great news that the cancer has not spread to any other vital organs! There were some things spotted here and there, however, Pet scans pick up everything, but not everything it sees is cancerous. There was one area of ever so slight concern in the mediastinum but it could've just been inflammation caused by my surgery. The only way to follow up on this will be with the next Cat scan I get after my first couple rounds of chemo.
Which brings me to the horrible experience I've been having trying to obtain the Xeloda Rx. Between my oncology nurse and myself, we must've made at least 15 phone calls circling around from one specialty pharmacy to the next only to be circled back to the first one, Optum, which said I wouldn't be covered yet in fact I am. Although I loose patience with myself easily, I always try to remain calm with others and not raise my voice for this typically never helps a situation. But throughout this ordeal I reached the point of screaming at a United/Oxford rep, "I have tumors all over my lungs and you are refusing to help me!!!" I think that got her attention. After finally placing my order with Optum I still was not convinced it would ship so the next day I followed up and the rep said, "Oh yeah, it's scheduled to ship but we can never ship before speaking with the patient." Really? What do you call what we did yesterday? Do you really think they would've called me? The prescription never would've left and I'd still be wondering where it is. Alas, it DID ship and it is now stuck somewhere in the mid-west in a UPS warehouse because of the inclement weather we were experiencing today. Delivery today has now been postponed to Monday.
It has taken exactly two business weeks to obtain a prescription and I think that is preposterous! I've already begun drafting a letter in my mind to the Commissioner of the Dept of Health (unless anyone has a better suggestion) with a cc to the CEO of my insurance company, the governor and I don't know who else. I will not let this fall on deaf ears either because there are people out there who cannot fight for themselves and probably don't get the proper care they need because the insurance companies take their sweet time in doing the very opposite of what they're supposed to do: help people!
So here I sit, typing away with Ravi Shankar in the background reminding me to chill out, the world didn't end today as planned, and to be thankful that help is on the way and I soon will be kicking cancer's ass!!
Happy Festivus for the rest of us!!
Much love,
eLiz.
My beverage. 
Me painfully sipping my disgusting beverage.
What I felt like for the rest of the day.
And with that, the Airing of Grievances has begun
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