For the last 4 months I've been struggling with knee issues. Both of my knees are swelling and "giving way." This may be my arthritis or it may be my Fibromyalgia or I could have injured them during my last Triathlon. ;-) OK, I have to be honest, my last Triathlon was a month ago which consisted of me sitting on the couch, switching from football to baseball playoffs to the presidential debate as rapidly as possible.
My knee problems led to a lot of changes in my life. First, because I was stumbling when my knee gave out, Vicki bought me a cane. I named it Louis for the Louisville Slugger in honor of my love of baseball. Next change, I had to learn to take it with me when I left the house, including taking out the garbage. This lesson was best learned at 5:30am one morning when I drove the trash to the end of our long driveway and fell while putting it at the curb. I was on the ground, butt up in the air, trying to push myself up by grabbing a hold of the recycle bucket. All I could think was, "don't let anyone see me down here" and "great, Vicki is going to say 'I told you to take Louis with you.'" No one saw me but Vicki did have an "I told you so" for me. The next change was the handicap tag that now hangs from my rear view mirror. This will come in handy for Christmas shopping. Lastly, I had to make time in my life for multiple doctors appointments. Not an easy thing to do right now.
So Is it ever too early for an MRI? I was up at 4:45am this morning to get ready for my appointment and work. I'm staying at mom's for a few days so it was an hour to the MRI lab and I had to be there by 6:30am. Let me explain one thing to you....Yesterday started deer hunting season in Michigan. This means people with guns are in the woods looking for deer. Understandably, this frightens the deer and they tend to run out in the road. I suspect screaming for help and flagging down cars for a ride. Therefore, we have to drive a little slower on the country roads. As a result, you have to leave earlier and drink plenty of coffee to stay alert.
Once I arrived at the "U" (snobbish nickname for the University of Michigan), I only had to wait a few minutes for the doors to open at 6:30am. It was clear I was going to be the first patient of the day. This is a good thing....which I will explain why in a minute. I completed the paperwork and signed off that I don't have any metal in my body. I also signed off on paperwork stating "if you have metal in your body and don't disclose it and it comes shooting out at a high rate of speed the "U" is not responsible for injury or damages." I know, comforting isn't it?
I'm siting in the lobby listening to another patient explain to the person behind the counter that he didn't need to fill out the "Knee Survey" because he is having the MRI on his hip. She then proceeded to debate this fact with him. I wanted to say to him "drop your pants and show her where it hurts, maybe then she would believe you." But I restrained myself.
The MRI technician came out and calls my name. I'm relieved that it isn't MRI Hip Girl from behind the counter. We walk back to the dressing area and she puts me in a small room with a locker and tells me the only clothing I have to remove is my jeans. She takes down a pair of scrub pants, size large, and tells me to put them on. I tell her that they will not fit and ask if there is a larger size. The tech says "yes, take two gowns and tie one around the front of your waist and one around the back of your waist. When you are ready, open the door and I'll take you to the machine." When I walked out of the room, I looked like I was ready to perform in the musical South Pacific. I almost broke out in a chorus of "Bali Hai." I said to the tech, this is a joke right? She said "what is?" I said "this fashion style brought to you by Wright and Phillips." She laughed and said you are lucky it is so early, otherwise, you would be sitting in the "holding area" with everyone else wearing that outfit. I asked if this happens a lot and she said "everyday." I said "why don't you request larger scrubs?" The tech said "because it wouldn't be as much fun." So no, it is never too early for an MRI.
No comments:
Post a Comment