Making Memories

June 8, 2016 (Wednesday)

Brendan was pretty chipper this morning when it was time to leave for Salt Lake.  He had to try out his new scooter (birthday gift) first.

 Brendan's view from the back seat. . .

 We arrived at "Imaging" in good time.  But it was a 40 minute wait after we checked in.  Brendan didn't mind.

 When we finally got in and set up for the MIBG scan, Brendan asked how long it would take.  "Oh, about 45 minutes," was the reply.

 Brendan picked "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" to watch.  We joked about how he always sees the first half of all the movies during scans, but never the end (because the scans are usually 45 minutes long.)

 During different times during the scan, they turned on the x-ray.  I got to wear the pink glitter protective apron.

Brendan was just tall enough that they had to divide him into thirds to get all of him to fit on the scans.  They started with the head down, then the feet up.  They tried to do it in two, but his heart and liver didn't make it into the pictures.  So a third scan had to be done.  When all was said and done, it had been two hours with Brendan having to hold completely still.  The movie was completely finished.   And with the machine so close to his face, Brendan said he felt claustrophobic.  He was so glad to get the MIBG over with.

As I watched the images appear on the screen, I asked if the "lit up" dots were neuroblastoma.  He said he wasn't seeing a tumor, just the normal liver and salivary glands which always "light" up.  Without seeing a specific tumor, he made sure to scan the whole body so we didn't miss anything.  

But I knew we weren't looking for a neuroblastoma tumor, we were looking to see if the esthesioneuroblastoma cells in his bones would uptake the dye and radioactive isotope.  I guess we will have to find out the results of the scan on Monday when we talk to the doctors and see what they "see" in the scans.

After such a long time scanning, Brendan was tired.  We were planning to head to Uncle Sheldon's house in Farmington to rest for awhile, but an accident on the interstate brought traffic to a stand still.  So we got off and spent some time wandering around a store.  Brendan's pretty good with this kind of scooter too!

 
 After a return trip to Primary's to pick up tickets for the Cavalia show, we finally made it to Sheldon's and got a quick nap before the rest of the family met us there.

 Yesterday, the child life specialist from the Oncology Clinic (knowing we would be in Salt Lake today) offered Brendan tickets to the Cavalia show in Salt Lake.  She was nice enough to get tickets for the whole family.  Brendan thought he was too tired, but we coaxed him into going.

 And, boy, was he glad he went!  It was great seeing his big smile all evening.

 It was fun to see the amazing horses and the acrobats and gymnasts.  It was a fun night out and we really appreciate those at Primary's for thinking about us.  We love making more memories together!