MRI Scan

Hi GFmom

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

Hopefully the letter should arrive quickly and confirm the next steps. It may be worth contacting GP as with mine, the GP received everything electronically whereas letters could take up to a week to arrive.

I understand about the claustrophobia worries with the MRI. I only had a CT and coped ok with that. I would have found an MRI more difficult. 

A lot of people do feel worried about the MRI and it is definitely worth speaking to your GP about something to help it feel more manageable. Also when you hear when the MRI it would be worth calling them and explaining about the claustrophobia so they are aware. It may be that you can go in feet first and keep your head out. I know for me, most of the fear would be if I had my head in the machine. There may be other things the radiographer could do to help.

A scan is normally the next step after diagnosis and they are staging the cancer to see where it is. The biopsy will have given them an idea of the grade. The provisional stage and grade helps determine the best treatment. Most ladies are offered a hysterectomy. 

I wonder also once you receive the letter with all the information on, whether it would be worth giving the Support Line a call and talking it through with one of the nurses. I know myself to begin with some of the medical terms could be quite confusing. 

I hope you get the scan done quickly and confirmation about what comes next. In the meantime, we are here if you need us.

Jane

Hi GFmom, just to let you know that the MRI “tunnel” is open at both ends so you’re not actually shut in. Plus, if you wear an eye mask (no metal clips) you won’t see your surroundings and can just pretend you’re on a beach or in bed! That’s how I coped. 

Some hospitals have clear top mri scanners so you're able to see outside of it, not sure if this might be an option but might be worth asking if you think that might help. Another option that the McMillan nurse mentioned to me this morning as being a possible reasonable adjustment is a pet scan.  Apparently it's less confining and quieter.

Hi GFmom , when are had my mri it had a clear top so I could see out and they also gave me some techy googles that had all sea life swimming around , so it distracts you . Good luck 

Thank you all for your replies, my Dr has prescribed me a beta blocker to help.

I am also waiting for a CT scan appointment.

When I had mine - which was Northern General Hospital in Sheffield I was put in feet first so head was last to enter. The staff were awesome. Wishing you well. 

Hi GFmom

I hope you have found advice so far helpful.

I dreaded my MRI scan too!

However the radiographer on the day was lovely.

She explained exactly what would happen and how long the scan would take.She offered to play music throughout but explained she would interrupt with instructions when necessary for example at the point during the scan when it is necessary to breathe in and hold breath. 

Everything happened in the order she said it would which gave me confidence.

The scanner makes a lot of noise and music muffles this but doesn't remove it altogether.

Strangely I began to find it quite comforting as it's activity gave the the sense it was doing a thorough job!

Good luck xo

CT scan is very short, although the dye they put in the cannula can make you feel strange (not painful, and they will explain). MRI is longer. My best advice is to just close your eyes and pretend it’s not happening- it’s the only thing you’re doing at that time. Your job is to be very still (they’ll get better images that way) so be a very good patient and it will be over before you know it. Good luck, it will be ok!

Thank you all for your support and comments.

I had my MRI Scan today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, the staff were lovely and it was open ended,  I  stretched my head back and I could see outside of it, this really helped..

Now CT scan next week and hopefully I'll get date for hysterectomy soon.

It sounds good that you were able to see outside of the machine by stretching your head back. That will help others to know this. Good luck with your CT- that will be a lot quicker.