I had an MRI this morning and it has disrupted my entire day. On the bright side it gives me something to write about. My gastroenterologist ordered it, every other test has shown that my ileitis is quiescent but as I’ve had such a long history and have been off meds for over a decade she wants to cross every t and dot every i. I can’t believe it myself. I have never gone this long without an episode. I know I frequently say that I have Crohn’s attacks, because that’s how one of my old GIs described them. What I have had is obstructions, due to scarring in my small intestine and my hernias. It is not active inflammation.
I was told that the appointment was at 8 AM but I should be there at 7. At least that’s what I put on my calendar, to be there at 7. I got a reminder call from the MRI that just said 8. I said I thought it was earlier and she said, “no.” My first reaction was to move my alarm back an hour. But then I worried, what if I really needed to be there at 7. My original compromise was to get there at 7:30 but ended up saying, “What the hell, I’ll get there at 7:00 but not be extra careful and not worry if I’m late. So instead of waking up at 6, I woke up at 6:30. That wouldn’t have been bad except I didn’t get to sleep until 2 or so. It’s a short walk from here and I get ready fast. I arrived at 7:05 or so. MRI reception was closed. There was a sign saying go to x-ray reception. That was closed, there was a sign saying to go to in-patient x-ray reception. There was someone there that gave me the forms to fill out. I was called over to MRI reception around 7:40. Then I waited around there for 20 minutes. I should have gotten there at 8:00.
The first thing I did when I was called was change. You can’t have any metal on you in an MRI, they are super careful about that. I took off my clothes and put all my things in a locker. They have these weird three sleeve hospital gowns that nobody tells you how to use. I had one my last MRI so I knew. You put your arms through two adjacent sleeves then wrap it across your body and put a second sleeve on one arm. These are a great design. They don’t leave you open like standard gowns. They just need instructions.
Then came the prep. Last night there was almost no prep, that was for my back. For my intestines requires lots of prep. I had to drink 1350 milliliters of barium sulfide suspension. It’s not horrible but still unpleasant. The trick is making sure you don’t drink it so fast you vomit. The nurse or tech emphasized that. He was great. He also put in an IV. They also gave me intravenous contrast. It takes 45 minutes to an hour for the oral contrast to work its way through your intestine; That was longer than it took for the entire procedure my last MRI. Then I spent far more time in the machine.
They made me more comfortable than last time. They doubled up my pillow and put a support under my knees to put less stress on my back. Last time my neck and back were sore. Then the put this device over my abdomen. It rested on a large bridge, essentially an oversized breakfast in bed tray holder. They put extensions on the bed for my arms to rest on. They the put in ear plugs and earphones over the plugs.
Finally I entered the donut of magnetism. I know many people are bothered by the tight space and the sounds. They didn’t bother me at all. The music was good, I chose classical. It started with Eine Kleine Nachtmusik then Carmen. After that I lost track. The hardest part was staying awake. I thought I could sleep but I couldn’t I had to hold my breath on command. They even put a sensor around my stomach to see if I’m cheating. One time I did fall asleep and woke up as I heard, “you can breathe.” It’s a weird experience. Your field of vision is nothing but the almost solid white walls of the MRI. I wish it had been spotless. As it was I could see spots of dirt. Otherwise it would be excellent for mediation. As it was I had my eyes closed most of the time.
I didn’t get out of there till 11:30, Then I got my things, got dressed and headed home. I thought I’d be out by 9:00. Good thing I had nothing else planned.
When I got home I ate and planned on blogging. Instead I ate then fell asleep for a few hours with my computer on my lap. That’s why I’m writing so late. The question now is can I get myself out of the house so I can see The Kennedys tonight like I planned. My body doesn’t want to. My head does. I’m going to let them fight it out. If I stay home then I have to/get to cook dinner. It’s only a short set by the Kennedys, it will take me more time to get there than the show will last. On the other hand I’m going through Pete and Maura withdrawal. They might be the most home game act for me. I didn’t tell them I’m coming, I knew there were questions, but if I’m there I’ll do merch because that’s what I do when I see them. I have a feeling that I’m staying in and a feeling that I’ll regret it. I’m not going to make a commitment.
Wise Madness 