No one ever says

"Wow, I really enjoyed my MRI today!"

I am no exception. It wasn't fun.
First, I was running late. Got there at 9:30 exactly, when that was my appointment time. Ordinarily I arrive at least 15 minutes early for appointments, I don't like last minute stuff. I knew I'd have to fill out some paperwork and answer questions and let them make copies of this and that.

So I didn't get called back until about 9:50.

The technician took me to a changing room and said on the way, "I have some pants for you to change into."

I told him I'd brought my own, if that was okay. "I've been through this once or twice before."

I had to go to the bathroom before the procedure, too. So by the time I got ready for the actual MRI, it was 10.
::sigh::

All the other MRIs I've had, I've been given a headset to wear. It serves a dual purpose. It blocks out the noise of the machine (necessary- if you've never had one, the noise is incredible. Very loud and very deep. The vibration pounds into your bones and internal organs. The other purpose of the headset is so the technician can communicate with you. They say things like, "Okay, next set of photos is 4 minutes. How are you doing so far?" or, "You have about seven minutes left. Doing okay?"

What I got today were shooter's earmuffs. Did great in blocking out some of the noise, but they were uncomfortably tight. In addition, some of my hair was over my ears, so it was making me itchy. My arms were at my sides and I was squished into the tunnel, but I managed to move them out during one of the intervals when the machine was pausing and at least get my hair tucked behind my ears.

I had no idea how long it was going to take, how far along in the procedure we were or what progress had been made. There was no comforting commentary from the guy at all.
My knee was immobilized in the tightest damn thing I've ever had it squashed into. It was completely straight for the entire 40 minutes. My back is still a little sore and I was lying mostly flat on my back, too. It was cold in the room, and although I was wearing socks with my pajammie pants and a long sleeved thermal shirt, I was chilly. A blanket would have been nice. He hadn't offered, and I wasn't cold until about halfway through. Too late then.

Also, by the time were about half done, I had to pee. Of course.

When it was over, my back was so stiff and my knee hurt so much that I could hardly get up. I slipped my shoes on without tying them to shuffle back to the dressing room, that way I didn't have to bend down twice to tie.

Didn't get home from work until nearly eleven. Managed a short nap. I was pretty wiped out.

I'm not thrilled about any of this, in case you should wonder.

I know what the results of the MRI will be already.
::sigh::

But I got through it, claustrophobia and all. It helped that my head wasn't in the machine, but I was squashed on all sides by the tunnel, something that isn't pleasant for a person like me.

So now I wait a day or two, then communicate with my doctor about our next step.

Wahoo.

And because I can't just leave it at this, I am adding a link that should make you laugh. Or at least it made ME laugh.

NOT suitable for work or small children. But hilarious.
food porn