So Glad I'm Not Claustrophobic
Since my tele-health follow-up call with Dr. Ingham, I was scheduled for an MRI at St. Elizabeth's in Brighton today (12/15/21) with a subsequent tele-health follow-up on December 27th.
I've been following the weather hoping for a 'weather-free' day (meaning no wet or frozen stuff) for my 8:30 AM appointment. Given the unpredictability of Boston traffic, I set my alarm for 6AM and was out of the house by 6:30AM. Traffic was busy, but moving along with the exception of the regular slow spots. Sunrise looked beautiful and they had predicted a warm spell. I'll take it. Once in the 'tunnel' it gets a bit tricky with exit ramps competing with incoming traffic. Although I had my GPS on, I managed to get off at the wrong exit, but was able to get back on track quickly. Mass Pike was busy, but moving. The exit from the Pike in Alston/Bright is very confusing and there is no time to think with all the aggressive drivers trekking to work fully caffeinated. But, with a few stumbles, I made it to Cambridge St. and was bale to get to the hospital parking deck by 7:45. Not bad, considering. Unlike my last visit, there was plenty of parking and no drama.
I arrived at the main building and was provided with very good instructions on how to proceed to Radiology. The guy/greeter was very friendly. In fact, everyone I dealt with was very courteous.
Arriving at Radiology at 7:55, I was given the obligatory SAT paperwork to complete. I'm sure there's a reason, but they ask the same questions in different ways. I wanted to write in 'see answer to #4", but I was a good boy and provided the same info on the different sheet of questions. I handed in my assignment and was rewarded with a hospital bracelet. I was directed to the next waiting room.
There were only a few patients waiting in Zone One. But it appeared that all others were being called before me. I was about to inquire about my status when my name was called at 9:05. I was now graduating to Zone Two. The technician, checked my answers and asked a few more questions. I passed. I was brought to a changing room where I had to put on two johnnies (front and back). Not long after I was called to enter Zone Three. Whoa, this is happening.
I followed the technician to the MRI room and managed to get onto the slab. A bit of 'scooching' was required and I was sternly told "do not move". Also, I was told that it was going to take about 45 minutes including 'shots' with contrast. I crossed my arms and I was given a bulb to press if I needed help. [Wouldn't that be moving?]
The technician gave me some ear plugs and said that it gets loud. She was nice to ask if I need a blanket. I certainly did and was appreciative. She then said she would start the first round and it would take about five minutes. She left the room, but not before saying, "Don't Move!"
Shortly after, the slab began to pull me into the void. Although it didn't really bother me, I could understand how some with claustrophobia might find this difficult. There's not much room to move even if you had to. The sides were pressing against my elbow bones and it began to get quite uncomfortable. I guess I was trying to gently adjust when I heard a voice come through the speaker saying, "You moved." [Sorry]
It was noisy, got a bit warm, rattled, shook, vibrated and beeped...a lot. The voice said, I'm coming in to give you the contrast.
The technician asked if I had a preference on which arm to use. She was on my left so I said, "Left". Not sure, but she couldn't get what she wanted after a few jabs and decided to go through my hand. Not painful, but uncomfortable. She then said the next test will take about 5 minutes. More of the same, then she said, "We are done". [YAY]
She assisted me off the slab and insisted that I sit up for a few minutes so I wouldn't be dizzy. I'm a good patient, so I did what I was told. I got back to changing room and got dressed, then left.
No issues getting out of the garage and basically no traffic going home. Took me a bit more than 30 minutes to get home.
So now I wait until 12/27 for the doctor to review the results and determine the best treatment. Dr. Ingham did say that he did want to preform another Cystoscopy and I expect that to happen in January. As the season progresses, there's always that chance for a weather incident to gum up the works. But, you deal.
More to come!
