My HIDA Scan

My HIDA scan lasted about two hours this morning and prior to my HIDA scan, I had an Ultra Sound of my belly to see if there was anything that the Upper GI missed.  My Ultra Sound lasted about 20 minutes and the only thing that was uncomfortable about it was the belly jelly they used...  it was slimy more than it was cold, but using a towel was easy to remove.

I have to wait around for another 40 minutes for my HIDA and fortunate for me there was nobody else waiting for Radiology.  When the technician came and got me, she explained that the test was broken up into 2 - 1 hours segments and that I would be given a bathroom break after the first hour.  I was injected with a radioactive dye and the machine would take a photograph every 15 minutes, but I was still not allowed to move unless it was absolutely necessary.

Since my scan was early, I slept about 50 minutes of the first hour so it did not seem long at all.  I had a triangle cushion under my knees and a couple of pillows for my head along with a rolled up towel under my neck.

Immediately following my bathroom break, I was given a chocolate chalky liquid to drink right away and returned to my lying down position on my back.  The scan was going to make an on-going video for the next hour so it was imperative that I not move or it would "mess up" the video.  I again slept for about 30 minutes and for the next 30 minutes I was in and out of consciousness...  like I was in some sort of twilight sleep.

When there was about 10 minutes left, the technician touched me on the shoulder to let me know and I jerked out of alarm...  which scared her as much as it did me.  I am sure that "messed up" the video but she did not say anything.

My two hours went my quickly and before I knew it, I was treated myself to a Cappuccino at Weigles Convenience Store which was a mile from the house.  Actually, the hospital where I had these 2 procedures was only 3 miles from the house...

If I ever have to do this again, I am going to request early morning to make sure that I fall asleep again.

Side Effects

2:16 am} and, I cannot sleep...

Retired, so I worry about very little other than what am I going to do tomorrow...

My eyes and body feel tired but when I lay down in the bed, I feel wide awake and just lay there wondering when the drowsiness will put me to sleep...

So, here I am drinking coffee with a little Cappuccino Mix in it to make it swallow a little easier...   and actually, I think I have become addicted to this sugar-free or fat-free mix because straight coffee no longer tastes good to me which is typically all I used to drink after being in the Navy...

I was in communications and worked in the Radio Shack on the USS Recovery ARS-43 which was a salvage and rescue ship.  It had less than 100 men aboard her and every two years she would spend 6 months in the Mediterranean Sea patrolling outfitted with the latest surveillance gear before leaving port at Little Creek, VA which was part of the Norfolk Naval Base.

About 1:00 am this morning I awoke from sleep because I had to take a piss and after laying back down in my soft, comfortable warm bed, laid there for a hour unable to return to sleep.

Because of my non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma, I take 2 - 140 mg tablets of IMBRUVICA  daily which is considered an Immunotherapy Drug, not a Chemotherapy Drug.

Common side effects of Imbruvica include:
low platelet count,
diarrhea,
neutropenia,
anemia,
fatigue,
musculoskeletal pain,
muscle spasms,
joint pain,
swelling of the extremities,
fever,
upper respiratory tract infection,
cough,
shortness of breath,
nausea,
bruising,
indigestion,
constipation,
rash,
abdominal pain,
vomiting,
decreased appetite,
swelling of the mouth and lips,
urinary tract infection,
pneumonia,
skin infections,
sinus infection,
weakness,
nosebleed,
decreased appetite,
dehydration,
dizziness, and
headache.

Of course, my inability to sleep could be coming from my enlarged prostate and a PSA count that was twice what it was last year and over the recommended amount and the reason why I am going to a Urologist to see if I have prostate cancer next week.

In addition to my IMBRUVICA, I am receiving a monthly infusion of OPDIVO to control my Metastatic Melanoma which in a matter of 41/2 years went from my foot to my groin to my neck; although, when it was removed from my neck, the Melanoma was DEAD thanks to the radiation treatments I had along with the OPDIVO infusions; apparently, when OPDIVO is combined with radiation, the radiation super-charges the OPDIVO to fight the Melanoma...   lucky me...

Common side effects of Opdivo include:

• fatigue
• rash
• itching
• cough
• upper respiratory tract infection
• swelling of the extremities
• shortness of breath
• muscle pain
• decreased appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• weakness
• swelling
• fever
• abdominal pain
• chest pain
• joint pain
• weight loss
• irregular heartbeat
• eye inflammation
• infusion-related reactions
• increased amylase
• increased lipase
• dizziness
• numbness and tingling
• skin peeling
• skin redness and
• psoriasis.

YEAH...  I was pretty frigging amazed when I saw these two lists too...  I have been taking immunotherapy drugs for two years but I have also been taking chemotherapy drugs for 10 years, all of which basically has the same side effects...   

WHILE sleeplessness in not on the list...  WTF...  I experience it once or twice a week like clockwork...