On Tuesday, I met with the surgeon that will do my biopsy. He felt very confident that there is no cancer present. I agree. I'm lumpy. I've always been lumpy. I will continue to be lumpy. I personally don't think we need to remove every lump, but I'll be safe and get these lumps removed so that my insurance carrier can pay a bunch of money for someone to tell me I'm fine even though I can tell them that right now for free.
On Wednesday, I had my MRI. I have very difficult veins to find. They are deep, they roll, and they have tons of valves. The first vein the technician tried in the crook of my arm completely blew out. That's not a comfortable situation, by the way. I have a pretty gnarly bruise there still. The second vein she tried on the top of my hand also blew out. That one still hurts like a booger. Usually, she would have tried my other arm, but because I had so many lymph nodes removed on that side, I can only have needles on my left side.
Here's something you need to know if you ever have lymph nodes removed. You should never have your blood pressure taken, blood tests done, or shots on the side where the lymph nodes have been removed. Your lymph nodes are responsible for moving liquid throughout your body. When you have pressure on any of your blood vessels and your lymph nodes are no longer there, you can develop lymphedema. Lymphedema is severe tissue swelling caused by the accumulation of protein-rich fluid that is usually drained through the lymphatic system. Anyone who has had lymph nodes removed should also be careful about insect bites. Where insect repellent to avoid insect bites from causing swelling on the affected side.
Back to scan stories. The technician was never able to find a working vein, so she walked me to the cariology department of the hospital. One of the cardiology nurses was able to find one right in the middle of my forearm. This sucked, but I was finally hooked up. Luckily, the contrast dye did not make me throw up, but the next day, I got to have lovely stomach cramps. Yay me. Not a big deal. They only lasted for a few hours.
Which is good, because I had to have a PET scan, and laying in a machine with my stomach churning didn't sound too fun. The PET scan techs had a hard time with my veins again, and I was super hydrated this time to avoid the issues of the day before. The first vein they tried blew through, and when they pulled the catheter out, blood squirted all over my white T-shirt. That was fun. I got to lay in the machine for thirty minutes with blood on me. At least, it was my own blood. Don't worry. I made sure to run home and change before going back to work.
Yesterday, I checked out my scan results online, and everything is clear! Yep, totally clear. I already knew this, but now, my doctors know, and they can leave me alone again. I see my oncologist tomorrow, and I'm hoping he will cancel my biopsy. Fingers crossed, everyone.
No lesson today. Just words of wisdom. If you are getting blood tests or IVs, drink a shit ton of water, and don't wear white . . . just in case.