The result of the MRIs and the fire it started.
Post 4 MRIs, bloodwork, and an unexpected ultrasound, I have my results.
Bloodwork
The first step was to get bloodwork. Do you have easy veins to find? Is it because I am overweight? It may be the way my body was created. My veins are impossible to find. I average between 80 to 100 ounces of liquid a day, most of it is water. Side note: I recently read an article about drinking water and hydration a future post on that will come. With all the water consumption I would hope my veins would cooperate with me but they don’t. So step one a get multiple sticks of the needle and most technicians now go through a vein at the top of my hand.
My MRIs were scheduled at Banner MD Anderson, all 4 done on one day. My insurance contacted me later and recommended for cost purposes to go off-site to a Simon Med. These MRIs were rescheduled to the Simon Med location and the scheduler on the phone said she wasn’t allowed to do more than 2 MRIs at a time. Two dates were then scheduled.
The Four MRIs
Stomach and Pelvis MRI
The first MRI date comes up, once again I drank plenty of water since I knew I would need an IV for contrast. Multiple sticks later and IV is in the top of my hand. When you do multiple MRIs with contrast the process is done in sections. Section 1, section 2, add contrast, section 2, and then section 1 images done. I am not claustrophobic but I close my eyes and meditate on songs, movies, scripture, anything that will keep my mind focused away from the noises and tube I am in. With this MRI feet went in first so I was pretty calm.
My stomach MRI, section 1, required me to hold my breath in 30-second increments with a 1-2 minute break between, no problem since I knew it was coming, thanks for the heads from my sister Jenn. The pelvis MRI was next, section 2, then contract and sections in reverse order, and the process took about an hour.
Chest, Neck and Head MRI
The second MRI date comes up, same as before but now I have a different tech at Simon Med. I felt a little like a pin cushion and the poor girl took 15 minutes to finally get an IV in that felt like it was going to fall out with the easiest movement. Ever so carefully we get me settled for the chest MRI which also required holding my breath in 30-second increments with the 1-2 minute breaks.
Now if you have never had a neck or head MRI you may not understand this next part. So now chest MRI section 1 complete, carefully I am moved out I have to get up while the tech arranges the new layout then I have to lay back down and my head is placed in a frame to help prevent movement. Once again I am not claustrophobic but this would push most people to be a little anxious.
The Tech
Now the tech has to connect some equipment that is laying on my chest and she can’t figure how to connect it. I am laying there while she figures it out and finally with both my hands above my head and crossed so I can hold the emergency call button and mind my IV she decides to lay the cord across my face as well. I focus very hard to keep myself calm with an additional item on my face and what was an uncomfortable way to lay for a long period of time. Half through this section I can feel a nerve pinch in my shoulder and now have to fight through the pain. Now it is time for contrast. The tech leaves me in the MRI machine and comes to the back where my hands are at and ask if I am ok.
I have a choice here and I tell her I am not okay that I am experiencing pain. She tells me this position will be 15 more minutes and can I handle it. My response is yes but even I don’t believe myself. I breath in and out trying to minimize the pain with out moving. Finally what felt like much longer then 15 minutes this section is done and the tech moves me out to rearrange back to section 1 to finish my images. The pain has not lessened and I dont’ even know how I made it through holding my breath because it hurt so bad. Finally MRI is done and I slowly get to my car. I had to wait a full 5 minutes before I felt comfortable to head home.
Done
I left that appointment never wanting to feel that way again. Knowing the MRIs are in my future again for the rest of my life a fire was lit for me to dig deeper into changing and getting on track to be healthier.
“The Fire was lit”
Emily
The pain in my shoulder stuck around at the same intensity for 3 days and then slow dissipated over the next 3 weeks.
The results!
My bloodwork came back clear. The MRIs showed no new tumors and my previous one shrunk with the radiation treatments to 2cm. In my neck imaging, they also found enlarged lymph nodes. My doctor called we discussed I had not been sick when the MRI was taken and she ordered an ultrasound just to be sure. That was an easy appointment and it came back clear. So Hooray! All good news! Thank you, God.
My stomach imaging came back with liver as unhealthy, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. That fire to get health and change was now burning hotter, it was an inferno. Luckily I was already on schedule to meet with my naturopath doctor to work on that.
“It was an inferno.”
Emily
Next steps
Yearly blood work will be done and every 3 years full MRIs to monitor for any tumors.
Time to focus on a healthy lifestyle change to make sure I am in my best shape moving forward.
