Jelly Beans and the Weird Side Effect of Contrast

So no matter how many times I have a CT scan with contrast, I still worry that it’s not just that I feel like I have peed myself, but that I actually have (I hate you, contrast.) I don’t know if any of you have had this experience, but it’s a little startling and you’re all, “OMG, I’m going to electrocute myself and the nurses and all the staff within forty feet of me and what a mess that will be.” Nope, just the stupid contrast making its way down to the well-vascularized areas. Super.  

"Hi."

With that being said, I’m happy to tell you that I passed my CT. My heart rate behaved itself and I didn’t even need the intravenous metoprolol to go along with my 150mg of pills. I loaded up on Benadryl for my contrast sensitivity and was just fine. By the time I got on the scan table, it felt like it was time to come off again. So, yay! Seems like so little time for that ENORMOUS 18 GAUGE IV NEEDLE!!! (See below. I teased that she had a choice between "water main" and "meh" and she wanted to provide me with absolutely every patient experience.)

 

The official scan shows, of course, that I have that silly superior vena cava going smack into my left atrium, and also have just one pulmonary vein on the left side (instead of the normal two) which is shaped oddly. I don’t know if there will need to be any sort of alteration for that. But, I have an appointment with the surgeon next week and hopefully we’ll really start moving forward on this. Because waiting sucks.  

The days go on. I still work on my Masters degree, play with the cats, drag around my portable oxygen, and enjoyed Del Taco french fries today. I don’t know what they do to those potatoes, it can’t be good for you, but I’ve been craving them for four days. I know they’ll have me on that CARDIAC DIET before I know it, and that involves no salt and limited fat and essentially not a whole lot of fun.  

Speaking of fun, let me introduce you to some of Jelly Belly’s new flavors. No, I have not opened this box yet. I’m afraid to. Canned dog food and lawn clippings, along with barf flavor and moldy cheese. My sweet friend, !!! CHRISTINE !!! visited yesterday and brought these along with other beautifully corny items. I think she’s sweet, and not trying to kill me. I guess time will tell, or I’ll go in there when I’m really needing sugar. I’ll let you know what happens, but if you don’t hear from me for awhile, it’s probably the stinky socks flavor (not kidding.) 

Also in the gift basket was a meditation elephant, teas, chocolates, a duck that quacks when you blow into its hind end (I can't make this up, people), a card regarding things you don't want to hear in the operating room, strawberry jelly, hard cider, a scrub brush for my back, adult beverage napkins, and lovely scented soap. I have discovered that my friends know me better than I do.