So off the hospital again, this time it’s the radiology clinic which will get my custom. As I arrive, I’m being led to a waiting room where some other patients have gathered. Each of them has two bottles in front of them, from which they sip occasionally. Barium sulfate suspension is a contrast agent which is used to enhance the visbility and detail of x-rays. I’ve only just settled in and nodded a greeting to my fellow sufferers, when a young nurse cheerfully brings me my two bottles of the stuff (1 litre in total).

BaSO₄ suspension tastes like liquid chalk, only slightly sweeter. I manage to drink it all, despite feeling slightly nauseous. One could, if one were so inclined, receive the liquid into ones system by means of an enema, which would probably be equally unpleasant or worse.

After about one hour I get called in. The CT scanner looks like a big tube, much like the MRI scanner, but this time I am going in feet first. No sound other than a electronic voice instructing me from time to time to hold my breath. After about twenty minutes it’s over.

For the diagnosis, I am told, I will have to wait another day at least, as quite a few doctors will need to see both MRI and CT scans. Milena drops me off at my office, as I have scheduled a meeting with my business partner. Since there is not a lot to discuss business-wise, we commiserate together and drink a couple of cold beers. He drives me home at 6 PM

Oh, and I shaved my head! Had wanted to do this for a long time, but my girls were against it; so I figured that this was my chance. I kind of like it, gives me a manly look, just like Bruce Willis.