BCPals
Forums
BCPals Quiz
Photo Album
BCPals Chat
BCPals Links
Contacts
Medical Topics
Biopsies
Chemotherapy Depression Diagnosis
Herceptin
Hormone therapies
Imaging
Lymphoedema
PMPS
PN
Phyllodes
Ports
Radiotherapy
Reconstruction?
Reg. Recurrence
Scans Experience of
Scars
Surgery Diaries
Trials
Triple Negative
Special Topics
Benefits
Clothing
Eat Well
Hospital List
How to react
Reactions
Support Groups
Timelines
Treats
Wigs
A Message
Sections
Genetics
Secondaries
Younger Women
JaneRA's Blog
Register Here
MRI SCAN
No injections involved this time! Because the scan involves a super
powerful magnet I could take no metal in with me. I had had a leaflet
about this beforehand, asking me to remove all jewellery and not even
to wear mascara as it can contain minute particles of metal.
When I arrived I was asked to put on a surgical gown and I had to leave
my clothes in a locker, but I could take the key with me as it was made
of a special metal. As I went into the scanner room I was asked a series
of questions about dentures, piercings, etc to make sure there was no
possibility of any metal sneaking in with me.
I lay on a narrow table and a large wedge was placed under my knees
to make me more comfortable and a heavy plastic camera - like an electric
blanket - was laid over the arm that was to be scanned.
The radiographer tied straps across me to hold my arms steady. She warned
me that the machine would be very noisy, gave me protective headphones
and offered me a choice of music to listen to. She put a panic button
in my hand in case I needed anything. By this time I felt a bit like
a prize turkey, trussed up and ready for the oven!
The table was then pushed into the MRI scanner, a circular tube. The
first MRI I ever had was in a scanner which looked a bit like a washing
machine and I was loaded in feet first. The most recent scan machine
was more like a fat hoop, open at the back and I went in head first.
The radiographer left the room and went into an adjoining room with
a glass screen. She spoke to me through an intercom, telling me that
the machine would run for 5 mnutes to start with. The machine is very
noisy indeed and there is some vibration too which is a bit unnerving.
It was difficult to hear the piped music at all - probably just as well
as she'd put Cliff Richard on by mistake!
There were 3 runs in all, the longest for about 10 minutes. Each time
it stopped the radiographer would ask if I was OK before setting up
for the next run.
Although I'm not at all claustrophobic in everyday life, I do find the
MRI scans a bit nerve wracking. If I ever have to have one again, I'll
take my own CD in with me so that I can concentrate on the music. I
also find it helps if I concentrate on controlling my breathing - good
old fashioned relaxation exercises are the best. But it is totally painless!