A new experience

So, I'm done with my MRI. I might as well give a play-by-play while it's fresh in my mind.

So, I woke up at 5:30 with a lung-full of phlegm and a little bit of pain. The congestion was mostly taken care of with my inhaler, but I held off on popping pills right away. I arrived at the place with no trouble, but I did manage to walk in the wrong door :-/. After filling out paperwork and having a complimentary breakfast, I was soon taken back and put in a room where I had to change half of my clothing. The pants they had me change into are VERY comfortable. So, with everything metal stashed away and the rest of me ready to go, I went and sat in their little recliner in the second waiting room. They gave me a list of XM radio stations to choose from, ran over basically what would take place, then left me in the chair for about 5 minutes to doze. When they were finally ready, I went in to the imaging room. The MRI is basically a big tube. I laid down on the sliding platform, and they gave me headphones with my choice of radio station, a blanket, a panic button, and instructions not to move. Then, they slid me into the machine.

The machine itself wasn't intimidating, unless you're claustrophobic. The only thing I could see was the edge of the machine above my head. Needless to say, I closed my eyes. The only sensory input was sound. And there was lots of it. Not only did I have the swing music I had chosen, the machine itself makes lots and lots of noise. I knew I would find it impossible to actually sleep, but I entered what I like to call "turning inward". Basically, it's a type of meditation where you become semi-aware of your surroundings, but become completely aware of your internal thoughts. I think the rest of me slept, though, because when I "woke up", I felt like I had gotten some restful sleep.

It was a good experience. I was warm, comfortable, and relaxed. I had taken my hydrocodone shortly before the procedure, so my back didn't hurt. The only thing I really had trouble with was my congestion in my nose, but fortunately, I didn't have any real problems with that.

I will see the results tomorrow at my ortho appointment. They said I can also have a CD copy of my images, so I will be sure to post both my x-rays I get done tomorrow, and the images from my MRI when I get them.

Now, I have work.