Gated heart pool & lung tests

29th March, 2012,

Gated Heart Pool Scan and Lung Function Test. This was to show the Dr’s where Chris’s heart and lungs were prior to starting chemo.. so they could keep an eye on any damage that may occur and change treatment as/if required.  So there we all were back at Westmead, Chris, Susie & myself & we head off to the Nuculear medicine area where they conduct the gated heart pool scan Chris recognized one of the workers from the PET scan area, he must work heart scans too. He is a lovely guy & is happy to explain what the test is about & why they do it. Susie goes in with Chris & records a video of the procedure. See attached video.

We then went to the lung function test area, where we were to check the capacity & general lung function. The lady ran a number of tests while Chris sat in a peculiar machine. After about an hour of testing, she said we could all go in & get the results. She explained the results, reporting that they were good. Whoo hoo we were all thrilled to hear this.

As the chemo drugs are so strong, they need to check all your vitals prior to treatment & also along the way.  Chemo does immediately cause fear in everyone. We know it's rough on the body & yes, it kills cancer but it also runs down your natural immune system. Although it does effect everyone differently, & we won't know until Chris starts, how it will effect her. All that we hope for is it doesn't effect her too negatively. 

Below is a picture of the heart testing machine & lung testing box type thing that you have to sit in when they conduct the lung test. And some video which explains the gated heart pool test.

Below is the gated heart pool machine.

Below is the lung function machine.