Your Thoughts During CT n MRi Scans

[IcyBlueEyes]

Since I am going for my full chest, abdomen and pelvis scan tomorrow, I was wondering just what others think about during their scans. Anyone repeat silly things, chant, or just pray for clear results. Anyone superstitious about what one wears to the scan. I am lucky that if I do not wear anything metal I do not have to change into the fancy hospital gowns, which I see and wear enough while in the hospital post surgerys.

[jens22]

When they inject the dye I pretend a warm blanket is being placed over me....then i remind myself that I didn't Pee on the table.

[Valorie]

I am new to this game but next CR definitely will remind myself that I did not pee on the table. . I pretty much dozed through both my CT scan and PET scans. What can I say, a nap is good whenever you can catch one.

[sofarsogood]

I just lay there wondering how much longer this is going to take because my mind says I have to go to the bathroom

[NZJay]

I find I get quite distracted by the interesting technology and the noises and lights of the machines, so my brain generally switches right off. Brain switching off is nothing unusual for me, though.

[mstults]

CT's are so quick I don't have time to think.

[raym]

Same here, CT scans are quick. PET scans are usually..don't move, don't move, and then...damn..have an itch, have an itch... MRI I imagine some type of heavy metal song as the sound reminds me of a heavily distorted guitar.

[Lee]

For me, my heart starts to race during a CAT scan and I hope and pray I can hold my breath LONG enough for the scan to complete. Once many yrs back, my heart started racing so fast, I had to take a breath during a scan, felt like my heart/lungs was going to explode. Thank Goodness, it came out clean, but to this day, I pray I get through the scan.

Lee

[nkoske]

don't move, don't move, don't move, damn I have an itch, how much longer till I can take a breath, don't move, don't move.

[CRguy]

At the risk of self-promotion, I offer a prior rendition of one of my "verses" in this post
from the " Hi I'm FOLFOX...how do you like me so far ? " topic a few years back.

with particular attention to :
The contrast hits its destination,
Feel that warm wet groin sensation.

On a serious note : I was starting to develop transient nausea issues for about 10 seconds after the CT contrast infusion started. I normally have a cast iron gut and had NO nausea with any chemo, so I was pissed at this development. Told the CT techs and they started slowing the contrast infusion rate and waving isopropyl alcohol swabs under my nose as the contrast went in ... WORKED ! No waves of nausea for the last 3 CT scans. I'll see wazzup next summer when I am a full year between scans ( I was every 6 months for 2 years and every 3 months before that so I assume I was developing an "adverse reaction / allergy" to the contrast agent. )

While in the tube I just relax and count the interval of breath holding ... which usually ends up being my pulse rate, with eyes loosely closed, meditation style. I wear a T-shirt and track suit/ rugby pants bottoms (no metal) and just pull the pants down to the knees for a C-A-P CT, which is what I always get. I also always take my "chemo bag" with me 'cos that is just what I do / did since 2007 !

I don't have any problems with MRI contrast and just "assume" I am in the BORG vessel with all the intergalactic background noise of a Star Trek episode ! I don't have any piercings or body metal which needs consideration so just put up with it and get OUT !

During actual chemoradiation though, I did have a neat meditation/visualization which I credit for helping me to attain pathological complete response the first time through..... Anyone do any guided imagery or anything during chemo?

(( OH BTW ..... I would always hydrate myself aggressively the day before, the day of and the day after any scan with contrast BUTT they probably told you about that already ? ))

Hope these give you some good vibes and ideas for tomorrow !!
Cheers
CRguy

[Voxx66]

Yeah - here is the thing - if any of you have had y90 and gotten that direct dye blast into the liver - then you really know what a hot blanket is. The CT version of that feeling is maybe lukewarm at best ha.

[Carolinabluetec]

An MRI is a great time for a nap, sort of a primeval cave thing. CT is too fast to even doze off.

[Bob_Weiss]

Usually I get either a chest scan OR an abdomen/pelvic scan prior to my regular oncologist follow-up exam; but recently he had me get both scans together. I get an iodine injection prior to the chest scan, and I should drink some white liquid prior to the abdomen/pelvic. But after the white liquid made me sick with diarrhea the first time I took it, I refused to take it again. The oncologist didn't think my refusal was wise, but he went along. The iodine is fine- I get a feeling of warmth in my chest, but no pain.

[SkiFletch]

CT scan thoughts are "Don't pee yourself, don't poop yourself, don't throw up."

MRI thoughts are zzzzzzzzzzzzz as I'm napping

[dianetavegia]

I'm allergic to the dye but will have an MRI in one room then the CT in another room this week. I will sing or list the names of God and think on what they mean. I had them stop the procedure once and come out to ask if I was okay. I told them what I was doing. I might pray for you or other people.

Oh, when I had my last PET scan, the lady asked what kind of music I wanted. I asked for Christian music but not the modern stuff. So the machine starts and in the earphones is some ancient preacher screaming in my ears for over an hour about me burning in hell. Wish I could have stopped HER and had her change the channel. At least I couldn't hear the machine!