MRI

I had an MRI the day before yesterday.  The MRI was to get a better look and measurement of the tumor itself, look at my lymph nodes, and to make sure my left breast (aka The Good One) was clear, and that there were no more lumps in my right breast.  That's was an experience in itself. 

It was at the University of Minnesota (where all my treatment has been) and luckily they gave me a valium first (claustrophobic) because my mom drove me there.  Holy hell.  She takes corners on two wheels.

And we got lost finding the MRI area after we parked.  So the valium is kicking in, we're wandering the University lost and it's 5:00 at night, after a day from hell.  At least I was with my mom.

They put an IV in me, gave me a pair of scrub pants to wear, a scrub shirt to open in the front and then another one to open in the back.  I laid on my tummy, face down in a massage type face holder (too bad the rest wasn't similar to a massage) and placed my boobs in open slats, so I'm hanging out the bottom.  Awesome. 

When they inserted the contrast into my IV my veins were instantly filled with ice cold fluid.  Apparently they do this because the contrast shows the cancer better?

It was loud, it took 30 minutes or so - and I had to continue counting in my head to get through it.  I kept saying if you panic, they start over.  If you panic, they start over.  So I didn't panic and they didn't start over.

After it was over, a man got me out.  This was a much different experience from the woman who put me in.  He went to take off my headphones and ripped some hair out.  They had tied my hair back in a sticky gauze type holder, which he couldn't get out.  He was uncomfortable and I was tired and wanted my mom.  I came around the corner to where she was waiting, and I will never forget her expression.

She slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes got big and she laughed so hard she turned red.  She said I have never seen you look so ugly - ever.  I told her she was inappropriate. 

I had massage face, half my hair was pulled back in a sticky gauze, some of it was sticking up from where the man ripped it out, and had mascara under my eyes from being face planted after crying.  Still - inappropriate.