Friday, January 24, 2025

One More Hurdle Down, Next Week Will (Almost) Be a Vacation

So, I survived the MRI and it wasn't horribly difficult. I didn't bother with the valium at all - I could tell that it was a tube, not a box, and I don't have issues as long as I can see or sense a way out. So, I accepted whatever they had in mind or fed me through my IV line, relaxed and concentrated on my breathing, and listened to a lot of VERY loud noises for what seemed like forever. There was music playing in the background, but it was quite faint and easily overtaken by the interesting noises of the machine doing its' thing. But basically, all I did was follow instructions and lie there. The cushion that my sternum should have been resting on, however, raised me too high for what they needed, so they took away the cushion and covered the metal plate with a cloth. My sternum is still sore from having my weight resting on it for more than 30 minutes against that hard metal surface. 




A breast MRI scan (this is NOT mine, BTW) can show 
details, locations and extent clearer than almost any other 
options. That's especially true in women with dense 
breast tissue (which is what I've got). My doctor wanted 
a much closer and more comprehensive look at my cancer 
to make sure she wasn't missing anything when she perform 
surgery in a couple of weeks. 



My friend Claire, aka "Chickie Mama" picked me up at the shop and drove me to and from the Radiology Lab. She said she gets these scans every six months, and Chickie has had them at least once before as well. Both of them warned me about how loud the sounds are. Oh yeah! They're super loud and rather interesting. The sounds aren't all the same, either. There is a variety of sound meanings, variations, descriptions and lengths. It actually was pretty interesting. I'll forgo further examination of the sounds until I'm supposed to go through another one of these, however. 




Look at these lovely different MRI scans under different 
types of dyes. MRI is one of the best ways to isolate 
brain tumors - there's not much better ways since you 
can't actually feel for lumps or invasive tissues. Each color 
in the photos above is a different type of dye that the 
MRI can work with, and each type of dye focuses on 
a different type of tumor or area. 



I had an IV, of course - yet another puncture hole. They actually injected me with a contrast dye towards the end of the procedure. I was amused at the end of the session, when I was finally released from the tube and allowed to get my sternum away from that hard surface. They wrapped up my arm, telling me to leave the pressure bandage on for at least 30 minutes. I think I remembered to remove it an hour or so later. But ... what I found amusing were the twin vampire marks on my arm. I couldn't see where the IV had actually been positioned, but apparently my skin had been pressure folded in two places and it looked exactly like two gashes, equidistant apart from each other and approximately 1/2 inch long, 1-1/2 inches closer to my wrist. Vampires! LOL 




Every monster has its' pet. Witches traditionally 
have cats, vampires traditionally have bats. I have 
no real idea what the Mummy would have, but 
maybe a dung beetle? LOL



But one more hurdle has been passed and I'm one step closer to resolution and surgery. Next week I have my pre-op physical, and then, the following week I have my lumpectory. It's been quite the ride. It's not over quite yet, but I'm much closer. That's good, because I don't think DH could put up with much more of this. He's going a little bonkers with all of the tests, do-hickeys and whats-a-maholics. We just want this over with so that we can live our lives again. Of course, we'll be arguing constantly once again, but I'll take this small respite from that attitude and enjoy it while I can. Have an excellent Friday and I'll be back to wrap up the week tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 




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