Well, no news yet. But we are definitely considering no news to be good news, especially because we are 98% certain this is nothing at all to worry about. Today has been kind of a blur, but I'll walk you through it somewhat. Woke up (always a plus) and did the morning routine: taking Wellington out, brushing my teeth, morning medicines, etc. I checked e-mail and whatnot for about an hour to kill time before my appointment. My dad came home around 10:30 and we went to the clinic. We waited for about an hour before they called me back. Then they started my IV and... handed me two big cups of that barium-lemonade disgustingness.

Now. Obviously this concoction is preferable to straight barium. I am physically shuddering at the thought of drinking straight barium. However, that lemonade facade is not fooling anyone. I can't remember if I have written about my personal feelings on this before. If so, I apologize for the reiteration. I completely understand the purpose of the barium cocktail: it helps to see the internal organs and all that. And I appreciate that, I truly do. I like that when people are exposing me to large doses of radiation and taking little looksies at my insides they are getting good quality imaging.



This does not mean that I enjoy the...bluch taste of a barium-enriched beverage. Anyway, I shall proceed. So after the IV and the...refreshments(?) they loaded me up on the table to start the test. It was pretty uneventful, except for that moment when they injected the contrast. If you've never experienced it, it's going to be hard to describe to you, but if you have had it before you know exactly what I'm talking about. Within seconds it feels like something really, really warm/hot is flooding through you. Today I can accurately say it started in my head and face then down through my chest and arms, etc. eventually making me feel like I really needed to use the bathroom. The first time I had this particular test, they warned me about the sensation but I was still unprepared and I literally thought I had used the bathroom on the table. I was super embarrassed but you have to keep still and all or they have to start over so I was kind of just panicking in my head until the test was over and I realized I hadn't actually gone to the bathroom on the table. Whew.

So today I was prepared and it went more smoothly than that first time. I felt really bad that my dad had to wait for like two hours while I did all of this, but he assured me that he enjoyed the people watching. I am sure there are lots of different types of people he observed based on what I saw before they took me back. Anyway, now we are just awaiting that definitive confirmation call from the oncologist which will probably come tomorrow morning/afternoon. Until then I am enjoying some peppermint hot chocolate and studying for my panic-inducing finals that are coming up. Not quite relaxation but at least I'm at home! Updates as soon as I get them. Thanks for all of your thoughts and love and prayers. You all are the best.

C