Octreotide Scan

My thoughts are with you Reece.

I'm praying for you.  Have some becan while you wait. 

My  prayers are with you! I knew there had to be a reason why that mix was held up. Do they have becan there?

no becan in sight!  just cold white walls and Regis and Kathy on the TV

the song project that we're working on should be back up and running soon.  Russ should be sending out a BGV arrangement for you in the next couple of weeks, I think.

 Man won't they let you change the channel?  Thats like Chinese water torture, Almost as bad as Oprah or Dr. Phil. They need to accomidate the beagles of the world too.

Starise


 Man won't they let you change the channel?  Thats like Chinese water torture, Almost as bad as Oprah or Dr. Phil. They need to accomidate the beagles of the world too.

unfortunately I'm in the waiting room with a bunch of cats.  they won't let me change the channel.  cats with big hair, large round eye glasses, walkers, canes and way too much perfume...

Beagle


This morning I go in for an Octreotide Scan. The test will take all day today and part of tomorrow. This will be to help determine if I have carcinoid tumors in my pancreas and small intestine area.
 
I'm currently in the hospital waiting on my "dose" to arrive from Dallas, I'm on my laptop on the free wifi here at the hospital.
 
I have been having abdominal pains, and one of the tests I had showed I had elevated levels of 5-HIAA (I had 25mg/24 hour period).  you can google that if you're curious about it.  but it is an indicator I might have carcinoid tumor(s) in my abdomen.

Good luck with the testing Reece.

I have had similiar tests done due to 5-HIAA being an indicator of my current 'depressive' condition which is linked with the biochemistry in my digestive system and seratonin levels.  Fortunately carcinoid tumours have been ruled out in my case.

The thing is it seems that 5-HIAA testing is subject to many variables which is I guess the reason for being tested in a controlled environment involving an overnighter.

I have a busy schedule this week too of tests and machines that go 'ping' in the hospital.

Today I've spent a few hours having an intolerance to 'Lipitor' checked out and a move to another statin based medication to help combat my hereditary heart disease.

Tomorrow is a scheduled government 'means' test to analyse my current fitness (or lack thereof) for work.

Wednesday is some quality time with my psychiatric consultant to assess and discuss my ongoing medication in the light of my most recent 5-HIAA results...

I'm really grateful for the care team I have around me which consists of some really great, highly qualified, caring and compassionate people.

Stay positive Reece, not only is it too early at this stage to predict a negative test but there is much that can be done with an early diagnosis these days, both my eldest brother and my partner now being completely clear of the cancerous conditions they where both diagnosed with in the last 2 years.

You are in my prayers, good friend.

Now get playing with that lap-top as the biggest enemy you have in hospital is boredom...

I hope this "procedure" doesn't involve "putting you to sleep".
Good luck!

hey Reece good luck dude. from what i understand, there's a good prognosis with these type of tumours, and hopefully they're not in your liver. i'll say a prayer for you mate mark

Good Luck Reece! Remember to think positive! My prayers are with you. 

Best wishes for a happy outcome Reece.

thanks so much everyone!  the hospital kind of pissed me off.  I was supposed to be there at 8am and at 10am I finally went back to the front desk and asked why I was the only one in the waiting room and everyone who came in after me was gone.  she said she didn't know but would have someone come talk to me about it.  she didn't even ask my name to find out what was going on.  an hour after that they finally came and got me and I asked for the supervisor to complain about the service.

so they tied up my arm and then stuck me and shot blood everywhere and I got really nauseous and light headed (duh).  what a frickin day!  finally that part was over and they told me to come back at 3pm for the scan.  can't wait for that one.

JB - thanks, I appreciate your wisdom and sharing.  I really hope that the 5-HIAA levels were off because of some unknown reason and that these scans will reveal no cancer.  I will certainly pray for your issues as well, as I try to remember to do from time to time anyway, my friend!  I hope all works out OK for both of us!

Hospital efficiency.  I think we've all enjoyed that at one time or another.  I always make the incredibly stupid assumption that someone behind the counter has some idea what they are doing.  I don't know why I do this.  My assumption is never correct.  You would think that I'd learn.  It doesn't matter whether you're at a hospital, the DMV, a bank, a McDonalds, or an American Idol audition.  No one who works there has any idea what they are supposed to be doing.  Actually, that may not be completely true of some banks.  The guard at least knows which chair to sit in to take his nap. 

I've found that I get better service if I assume that the folks working there have the attention span of a two year old on a caffine bender.  "Hi, it's me again.  It's been one minute since I last asked you how much longer it will be.  Do you know how much longer it will be?  No?  Okay.  I'll check back with you in 60 seconds."

thanks phil!

but the real news that they didn't tell me until 4pm is that I have to do a "cleansing" tonight.  no food, water and clear broth only and medicine to make me go...

fun stuff...
 
come to think of it...Randy?