Imagine having to lie super still on a hard bed for 30 minutes, paranoid that if you move you'll make the images fuzzy. The clunking and banging noises are so loud, even with headphones they drown out the music. The bed jerks as it moves intermittently through a body length tunnel. There's a rack placed over your legs, they're secured in place, a heavy mat lying on your torso and your head is held in place in a head shaped mould with a large metal mask over your face (think fencing) If you can imagine all that you've pretty much got the context of a full body MRI scan experience.
I've really not had any issues with my treatment over the last 4 years. I tolerate needles, wince at the pain of a biopsy and am resigned to the scrunching snd bunching of my boobs in the mammogram. I'm not even claustrophobic. But this……this took it to a whole new level!
I had to focus really hard on counting and deep breathing to counter what felt like start of a panic attack at least twice, but I managed not to have to use the emergency call bell. The radiologist said I did well, but I think he says that to everyone who actually manages to stick out the whole 30 mins. Apparently many people take one look at the machine and refuse to even contemplate it.
So now I'm waiting. Despite the joy of my 4 year check up being clear earlier this week, the scan is to rule out any nasty spread in my bones as I've been having intermittent pains in my hip. And so the gift keeps giving!
