Swallow This



I was shocked to receive a call from my doctor’s office at noon today asking me to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss my blood test results.  I haven’t even had the CT scan yet, and I’d expected they’d wait for BOTH sets of test results before calling me.  Even though it was the nurse who called, which is supposed to mean “don’t freak out”, I of course freaked out.

If it were vitamin deficiency or anemia, they’d have just called in a script and let me know.  “Discussion” isn’t necessary if there were no usual results.  The CT scan didn’t get canceled, so whatever these mysterious results are, they aren’t definitive, obviously.

And now, here I sit, freaked out and getting ready for my barium sulfate suspension drink.  I have to drink one tonight, eat or drink nothing else, get up in the morning, and drink the other one, then go for the scan.  I dare not Google what this is going to taste like, but I’m guessing it’s not going to be good.  But hey! they gave me straws… so I can leisurely sip and enjoy this stuff??

(The Pepsi was added to give a sense of scale.)

I’m going to chug this, take a nice, hot bath, and go to bed.  My rib hurts, my head hurts, I’ve been so tired lately I’m about to keel over mid-day and I don’t want to think about this any more for tonight.

Wish me luck.

UPDATE – I drank it in about 20 minutes.  When I opened it, it smelled of citrus.  The first sip was reminiscent of a creamsicle.  About 1/3 the way through, it was getting a little thick for my liking.  2/3 the way through, it was getting hard to stomach.  I’d say the last 1/3 of the way was what I imagine it would be like to choke back a cold cup of your own vomit.

5 Replies to “Swallow This”

  1. aw sis :( stay strong, i feel so bad for you and i wish i lived way closer so i could be a good sister and help you through this all. <3 i would be over keeping you positive, helping out, and i can't so know that i wish i could! i'm praying for you and i love you lots!

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