Fay A. Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Had another one done today. I've been having Nuke Med studies and Ct scans for over 5 years. Back then they didn't bother me very much. I've noticed over the past year they have become harder to handle physically. And today's left me in so much pain I couldn't move when it was over. My arms had been held over my head and slightly elevated without support for just about 30 minutes. By the time the scan was done the muscles in my neck, back, arms and shoulders were in spasm, and my shoulders were locked in place with the arms stuck over my head. As the Tech moved them down for me it hurt so much I cried. It is the first time I have ever cried due to a diagnostic procedure of any kind. I was mortified. I hate crying in front of others. I subscribe to the bear in a cave school of crying. I don't expect anyone else to do that, just me. Don't know the results yet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 That sucks Fay!!! I'm really sorry you were in pain. Don't worry though I still know you are tougher than me on my best day. My thoughts and prayers to you for good results, Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 That does suck Fay. I hope the results are well worth the trouble and that you get good news. I will keep you in my prayers. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, That sounds HORRIBLE! I am so sorry you had to endure that. Could it be Mr. Arthritis is trying to get the best of you. If you have arthritis in your arms, leaving them in that awkward position for so long would definitely cause pain. Of course, it could be anything, but I just thought I'd throw that out there. Four over-the-counter ibuprofen (200 mg. each) about every 4-6 hours (with food of course) really helps my arthritis. I've tried the prescription stuff, but I keep going back to ibuprofen because it works and it really helps my back pain (not cancer related). I just really have to be sure I take them with food and don't lay down for about 30 minutes after I take them. By the way, don't feel bad about crying. It's ok. When you need to do it just let it out and cry your heart out. I hope you're feeling better tonight and the test results are good news!! Praying for you, Fay! Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, Sorry to hear that, hope your feeling better and my thoughts and prayers are with you for the best of results. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, Your tears cleaned the results already, so hoping for good news have a smile. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, what else are you going to have to put up with? You are a trooper. But I have found through the years that a good public cry can offer many rewards. You have to do it carefully, not too often to look just like a sissy. But we women know how to plan our emotional stuff. Fay, I hope the pain and discomfort brings you nothing but good news from the scans. Make sure to let us know as soon as you find out. I have everything crossed. How's the renovations coming? Will they be finished before the year 2010 or do you have better contractors then we have on the east coast. I'm always thinking about Fay. Love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Sounds horrible . Hopefully your scans will be good - or at the very least, worthwhile. Time to treat yourself to something good. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, You 'd think there would be some other way huh??.Hurts me too some times.I hope everything is clean,that would make it worth while tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, So sorry you had such a rough time with the scans. And crying publicly isn't the worst thing in the world. I'm sure the techs have seen and heard it all before. What is important is that you let yourself know that you're human like the rest of us and have emotions that need to be "let out" and sometimes we lose control of where they will be "let out." That's the way we humans are. I will be praying for good scans for you. I know you have been having a hard time lately and am keeping everything crossed that it's time for your rollercoaster to go uphill. Gail P-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, I'm sorry to hear it hurt bad enough you cried outside of your cave! I HATE crying, especially in public. I had an emotional "problem" that led to having two weeks off work - it involved crying. The work doctor asked Mark if I get teary-eyed often and Mark said "only when she's really, really p*ssed"....and to tell you the truth, when I'm so mad and frustrated that I cry, it p*sses me off even more! I hope that it's just something like arthritis - an annoyance that comes with age. I ALSO hope you enjoy senility in your 70s! (LOL - cuz goodness knows, senility at your age and mine just ain't acceptable!) Take care. xxoo, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, Sorry for the pain, that should not happen. Like Geoff says, you are tougher than me on my best day! You are so amazing... Did you get someone to deliver your flamingos? If not, I'm up for it...(the things I do for you guys....) Wishing for great results! Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 You are very strong, but can't be strong 100% of the time. I'm sure it did hurt like h*** I just cried last week for 50 minutes in the therapist's office. It was an 8 hankie session. Feel much better now. Hope today is better. Go watch for whales gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresag Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 There are lots of reasons to have tears in public. Pain is the most legitimate reason of all. (Self-pity is the least.) Hope, from now on, the pain monster stays hidden away in a locked closet, bound by chains & guarded by an attack dog. Fay is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 SPASM'S PAIN PAIN PAINFUL!!!! Oh Fay, I'm SO SORRY to hear that happened to you! Oh Lord that had to be just awful!!! I've had alittle pain and discomfort during some of my CT's too! But, nothing like what your discribing! OCH!!! I sure hope your feeling better now! (((((((((((FAY A.))))))))))))))) Let us know how the results come out. Your in my PRAYERS!! (((((((((((((FAY A.))))))))))))))))))) Love & Hugs, Con Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay I'm not the huggie type, but I want you to know I am praying you get good results. It must have really hurt! I'm sorry for all we have to go through and am sorry it's taking its toll on you. You are one strong woman and strong women DO cry. love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Oh heck - go ahead and cry, and yell REALLY loud -- get those techs on their toes. Just bust loose with a good one, and let them know how uncomfortable you were. Just a thought, but having been somewhat cramped up in those contraptions myself, you might try negotiating with them up front next time, and get them to do the scan in halves or maybe even thirds if it gives you a real problem. Sometimes, you have to sit on health care folks to remind them that it is about YOU and your well being. They can give you cushions and pads to help support your body, they can pause for a few minutes to let you work out the kinks, etc. Of course, many of them don't like to do this because it takes more time, and they want you in and out of there ASAP, but in special circumstances, there is no reason why they can't be more accommodating to make you more comfortable. The object is to get a good study - right? So, whatever it takes to do that is what they need to do. There are more options than just treating you like everyone else who has the same procedure, and the dozens who they examine day in and day out. You obviously need some special attention, and you deserve it, by golly! Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay A, I feel for you. I know it hurts. Hang in there. Love ya. XOXOXOX Pryaers always, MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay- The CT experience you described sounds just "sucky"! 30 minutes in a LOOOONG time to hold a rigid position! No wonder you were in such pain. I'm praying that there will be some encouraging news to compensate for the whole rigamarole. I understand your feeling of "self-containment", too. This whole big C thing is deflating, and at times, unforgiving. We love you lots. Let us know results ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Fay, To my dismay, I know exactlly what you were going through and my dear I totally think it sucks that you had to go through that. You are such a strong wonderful amazing person, I am in awe. But it is OK to cry when you hurt that bad! It truly is and you can't stop the tears from coming down. Take pain killers before you go to these procedures if at all possible. Here's hoping it gets better love. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted August 18, 2004 Author Share Posted August 18, 2004 Thank you to all who responded. I appreciate the concern. The reason the pain was so severe is because there are new nodules in the right axilla (armpit), according to the CT-PET. I can't believe I held my arms in that position for that long. The tech was a real sweetheart. He did his best to make me as comfortable as possible. He was trying to recreate the same positioning at his facility that is used at the radiation therapy facility, without benefit of a wingboard to support the arms. The way things were set up when I was first mapped and tattooed did not allow us to do the scan any other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted August 18, 2004 Share Posted August 18, 2004 Gosh Fay, I don't know what it means exactly to have these nodules. Lymph glands? Let us know what the new plan is. love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted August 19, 2004 Author Share Posted August 19, 2004 I haven't read the report yet, so I don't know if they are lymph nodes, soft tissue masses, or bone mets. All I know is there are new nodules suspicious for malignancy in the right axilla. got the info from the Radiation Oncologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 Sheesh Fay.... I wish you could get a break. I hope this new finding doesn't bring too much trouble. Please keep us posted as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 Fay, It makes me cringe to think of how painful that must have been with the nodules being there. Please let us know when you get the full report and what the plan of attack will be. We love you and care about you, God bless, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.