Heart rate is still in the 120’s while at rest. Causing minor chest discomfort. Very tired and short of breath. Taking the additional new medication for 4 days with no noticeable effect. Back to the clinic on Thursday where situation will be re-evaluated. I think it is a side effect of the medication. Would be over stating to say I am feeling sick, just not well.
An MRI is something I think we have all heard of but how many have actually experienced it. I had one and thought I would describe the experience. I don’t know if procedures vary but this was my experience.
An IV is put in your arm. At some point a dye will be injected to help with the clarity of the pictures. I was told when the dye was going in through the IV but felt nothing from it.
The MRI machine looks like a long hollow tube. The inside lining of this tube is a mass of specialized cameras, you are not even aware of them. Although they are quite noisy. Provided ear plugs take care of that.
You lay on this long stretcher type bed that is used to slide you into the machine. During the procedure it is important you lay still so as not to blur pictures. My MRI was on my head and neck. My head and neck were totally immobilized within a rigid neck brace with towels packed in the sides to ensure no movement was even possible. Next over my face was placed what I can only describe as looking like the “gridiron” face covering on a football players helmet.
All set and in you go into the “tube”. Took approx. 45 minutes. All you have to do is lay perfectly still. That is it nothing more to it than that.
No problem right. I think this is all in my head but as soon as I was immobilized in this way, my nose began to itch, then my chin, my cheek and you can’t scratch that itch, that can drive you crazy.
Now just await news from the doctor.
Dying mans daily journal 
I hope you get good news from the doctor! I’ve had a few MRIs myself, and I do not enjoy them. The worst ones were the two I’ve had on my wrist, just because of the position they have to put me in to get the pictures they need. They twist me up like a pretzel, then strap me down and I have to stay perfectly still for half an hour, and I come out feeling like I need a chiropractor! I totally empathize with that “need to scratch an itch” feeling, too.
Sorry I’ve been scarce lately – it’s been a one-thing-after-another kind of year for me, but I do think of you often, Bill!
Hi Cat, nice to have you back, you have been missed. Sorry to hear your experience was so unpleasant. Really, I was just laying flat on my back in a comfortable condition. Really no big deal. My only issue really was not being able to scratch my itchy nose.
Thank you for demystifying this procedure.
you are welcome. For me as the patient it really was no big deal
I had one last year and spent my time trying to figure out what the various noises reminded me of. Since I couldn’t move, it was something for my mind to do.
that would be an interesting way to pass that time. There most certainly are a lot of different sounds and noises coming at you from every direction. Thanks for stopping by.
Bill
Hope this week is going well for you Bill
Thank you
You’re talking to a woman who has to have something to fidget with in order to sit (and not ‘still’, by any means! LOL!) for 30 minutes. I’m EVER so grateful for ‘open air’ CT scans. I cannot do the enclosed ones. Well, I CAN, but it requires knocking me out. Dunno how that happened cuz it didn’t use to be an issue. I can’t fathom having to do it with a cage over my face. *shudder* You’re a brave soul.
Crossing fingers on the results….gotta have that hope, ya know?
Mel, I would imagine you are not alone in the needing to be knocked out thing. If you are at all claustrophobic it would be an issue. In my mind I can see you sitting there calm as can be awaiting it
Oh, calmly waiting thanks to a healthy dose of valium. LOL…Got to the tube and promptly freaked out. It’s good when they make BIG notes on your medical charts next to your allergies. 😉
I am so lucky it doesn’t bother me at all. I am sure I could easily fall asleep in there if it wasn’t so noisy
Just checking in to see how things are going…positive vibes and prayers!!!
NSC