This Thursday (day after tomorrow, as I type this, less than 36 hours) is my 2nd quarterly MRI. I've been surprisingly not freaked out by it for the most part; I'm fairly certain that's because I've spent my freak-out energy on my upcoming life-changing haircut. I really hope that I'm not taking this too lightly and setting myself up for a bigger disappointment/anxiety/stress/devastation if I get results that are negative. Or maybe they really just get easier each time? Time will tell, I suppose.
In case anyone is wondering what an MRI of your brain is like, here's what happens. You get changed into a lovely hospital gown and remove everything from your body. The MRI tube is a giant magnet, so you don't want it to try and suck anything off of you (like earrings). You get an IV, as they put contrast solution into your body for part of the scan. The solution is some sort of mineral that shows up differently in the pictures. I'm a tough person to draw blood from and get IVs into, so this part is not so fun. If you're tricky like me, request a butterfly syringe. They're much easier.
You lay down on this long platform, and you put in earplugs AND wear industrial headphones that they play music through (you can request a station or artist). The MRI machine is LOUDDDD. They also give you a blanket and try to make you comfortable. I learned at my last MRI that I have a screw from surgery in the very back center of my skull, so when I lay on it, it hurts by the time the MRI is over (it hurts pretty quickly, actually). I even got a pillow at the dentist recently. So I'm hoping they'll have an extra cushion I can use this time. And then it pulls you into the machine!
You go in about waist deep or so. The machine starts doing scans that seem to last for anywhere from 2 minutes to 10 minutes or so; they do a handful of different scans. The machine is very loud, which you hear more than the music. You have to lay extremely still, and there's a sort of cage around your head that helps keep you still. They can speak to you and come on over the speakers to see how you're doing and tell you how much longer you have. Overall, I've been in the MRI tube anywhere from 30 minutes to nearly 2 hours total, depending on the types of scans. Luckily I don't get claustrophobic. It's tight quarters.
The MRI machine is white and fancy looking, just like they show on TV. But TV shows always have a video screen showing the patient's face while in the MRI, and the doctors can see them. But I'm nearly 99% positive that they created that for TV and that my technicians can't see me. Or any real MRI-user. Everything is more exciting and glamourous on TV, isn't it?! ;)
Partway through they inject the contrast solution into your IV, which you can sort of feel going through your arm. Then they do some final scans, as the contrast gets into your brain pretty quickly. And then you're done! They slide you out, take out the IV, and let you get dressed again.
After that, it's a waiting game. Last time I waited almost a couple of hours to get my results from my neurooncologist, Dr. M. Thursday my check-in is 7:30am, with the scan to start at 8am and my results with Dr. M at 9:30am. And then hopefully I'll be out the door to work, dripping into a human puddle of relief. If I get not great news... I don't know what I'll do or how I'll be. But let's just hope that I don't need to face that. My sister Amy and cousin Steph will be at my appointment with me, so I definitely have support either way.
All of your positive thoughts, vibes, and prayers this Thursday are GREATLY appreciated!! Okay, and now my nerves are kicking in a little bit more. I think that's my cue to go to bed. Will keep you posted, friends...!
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