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Andrea Barnett Budin · 03-31-2013, 07:24 PM

I can't drink the normal drink. I apparently get "bowel loops" and the radiologist can't read my scan. Then they make me drink more. and redo the scan. and the problem keeps reoccurring.

In NY they gave me ORAL HYPAQUE.

Though I no have an order for NO CONTRAST -- I have checked this w/the onc and w/the imaging center -- I still drink the drink which I only drink a small amnt of. At the center they give me the clear stuff to mix w/my tea. They say I have to drink it all. I say ok, go to the ladies room, and take only a few sips. OTHERWISE I LIVE ON THE TOILET FOR 3 DAYS.

I DO NOT GET THE CONTRAST INJECTION. And they get good pics every time.

That's my experience.

(Initially I had mets throughout my liver, too many to count. FYI.)

I get CHEST/ABDOMEN/PELVIS SCANS. Never had a PET. Most say they are awful. Long and you have to stay very still. My onc doesn't believe in them. Too many false positives.

For me CTs are easy breezy. Especially when I secretly diminish the huge amnt they consistently give me except when they give a laughable gynormous amnt. Sometimes I get a small bottle. Sometimes I get a huge bottle. I would never make it out of the bldg if I drank it all. I take about 2 tspns worth in a large tea bottle.

But I am interested in hearing what your experiences are. I am due in June for now annual -- with no contrast. I am told I must drink, but don't get the injection. Very confusing.

If you have abdomen, they say -- have to drink. but no injection.

BIG MYSTERY HERE... Now I'm even more confused. (Maybe it's the wine I'm drinking as I type...) )

Andi

03-31-2013, 07:24 PM	#16
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Re: Question for liver metsters I can't drink the normal drink. I apparently get "bowel loops" and the radiologist can't read my scan. Then they make me drink more. and redo the scan. and the problem keeps reoccurring. In NY they gave me ORAL HYPAQUE. Though I no have an order for NO CONTRAST -- I have checked this w/the onc and w/the imaging center -- I still drink the drink which I only drink a small amnt of. At the center they give me the clear stuff to mix w/my tea. They say I have to drink it all. I say ok, go to the ladies room, and take only a few sips. OTHERWISE I LIVE ON THE TOILET FOR 3 DAYS. I DO NOT GET THE CONTRAST INJECTION. And they get good pics every time. That's my experience. (Initially I had mets throughout my liver, too many to count. FYI.) I get CHEST/ABDOMEN/PELVIS SCANS. Never had a PET. Most say they are awful. Long and you have to stay very still. My onc doesn't believe in them. Too many false positives. For me CTs are easy breezy. Especially when I secretly diminish the huge amnt they consistently give me except when they give a laughable gynormous amnt. Sometimes I get a small bottle. Sometimes I get a huge bottle. I would never make it out of the bldg if I drank it all. I take about 2 tspns worth in a large tea bottle. But I am interested in hearing what your experiences are. I am due in June for now annual -- with no contrast. I am told I must drink, but don't get the injection. Very confusing. If you have abdomen, they say -- have to drink. but no injection. BIG MYSTERY HERE... Now I'm even more confused. (Maybe it's the wine I'm drinking as I type...) ) Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...