'sA-dE . com

Is that a canula in your arm or are you just happy to see me?

I had a CT scan this morning. Not for any particular reason, other than my doctor wanting to perfect the art of writing referrals. And, I think given my family's medical history, he is hopeful that I might present with some sort of nifty new condition. I wasn't really complaining of anything though. I mean, I get headaches, but I chalk those up to my job forcing me to focus on a two-dimensional screen 60 cm away from my face, and then going home to a three-dimensional world. Anyway, better safe than sorry I suppose.
I had to have what the technician called a "CT-A" scan, which meant they injected me with iodine-based dye to ensure that my blood vessels showed up clearly on the film.

(dramatic re-enactment, not my actual brain)

Apparently, 1 in 100 people have a minor reaction to the dye, and 1 in 100000 people have an anaphylactic reaction to the dye, and die. I can safely report that I am not allergic to X-ray contrast media. However, that doesn't mean that I like it. I had been warned that I would feel a "warm wash" shortly after the injection, especially in the bladder area. Warm wash indeed. I thought I was having my first taste of a menopausal hot flash. I also had the strong sensation of smelling chlorine, like I was in a very warm, poorly ventilated public pool. But, before I could say "Dr. Penfield", the sensation went away, and I just felt kinda nauseous. I am now drinking lots of water to help my kidneys flush the iodine out of my system, while I wait for my Doctor to call me with only the slightest hint of disappointment in his voice when he finds out I am perfectly healthy.