So the MRI was an interesting experience to say the least. First of all, I snuck out of work without much notice, that was good. Got there a little early and only had to wait 10 minutes or so before I was called in.
A lovely girl named Kim took me into a room and asked me a bunch of questions regarding metal in my body, shrapnel in my eye, etc. and told me that I’d have to take all of my jewellery off excluding my wedding bands which, since they are made of white gold, were fine to go into the machine. I didn’t want to take any chances though, I took them off. Then I had to change into a pair of those ever-so-fashionable hospital gowns (one facing forward, one facing back) and she took me over to have an IV put in. Now, no one warned me that I’d have to get an IV. I’ve never had one before. I don’t like needles and I certainly don’t like the fact that this one was taped to my arm. It was put right in the junction of my elbow too which made me too scared to bend my arm for fear of puncturing my vein. There was also a spot of blood left on the sheet after she had put the needle in and taped it down. Not impressed by that, but she was very good about the whole thing. I had to get the IV put in so that they could inject me with a contrasting liquid that would make my insides light up like a Christmas tree in some of the MRI shots.
So, IV in, I waited for another 20 minutes or so before it was my turn to go in. They gave me squishy ear plugs, put me on a star-trek-sick-bay-type sliding bed and strapped me in, complete with a sensor around my waist to monitor my breathing and a metal cage thing around my torso. Then they gave me a panic button and slid me into the tube feet first.
I had to stay very still the whole time (not that there was much room to move) and at times I either had to breathe steadily (some scans were only taken as I was exhaling) or I had to hold my breath. Half an hour and many scans later they injected the contrast dye into my IV line. Very weird sensation. It hurt and I was more shocked than anything. Felt like my vein was going to burst and it burned a little. I felt it go up my arm into my shoulder and down my arm to my hand. The sensation wore off after a few minutes while the scanning went on, and on, and on, and, well you get the idea.
One thing to note, the sound of the magnet as it was firing and taking the scans and images was like someone was banging a golf club on the side of the machine, really loudly and really fast, repeatedly. Lots of metal banging and pinging, sometimes at different pitches and rates, sometimes alone, sometimes a harmony of pinging. Another half an hour and many more scans later I was done. They unstrapped me, a nice lady took my squishy ear plugs back, and I hobbled back to the waiting room with my IV in tow so that it could be taken out. Hurt less coming out than it did going in that’s for sure.
And that’s it. My MRI story. Not very exciting to you I’m sure, but for me it was my first (and hopefully last) MRI experience.
