I just finished my third MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and while in there, it hit me that this might make for a lovely post. If I have not already and even if I have, I really thought about it in blog form this time. As always, your milage may vary.

My first MRI, I was scared to death. I had, of course, done online research which really did not reassure me. Scare stories of the intensity of the magnet vs metal made me a bit of a basket case. At one point, I was trying to research what the fillings in my teeth were made of and was very worried about the biopsy marker in my left breast. Would it come flying out through my skin and ping onto the magnet?! I was in so much pain that time, I ended up embracing a let’s just roll the dice attitude. I had torn my patellar tendon (leg bone was not connected to the knee bone and kneecap kept singing “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty.) and I needed it fixed now!

This was my third one, (and probably a torn meniscus) I have less fright this round and will break it down for you:

Clothing. It may be different for different parts of the body (I like to focus on knees, apparently) I wore my Brooks sneakers and socks and did not need to remove them. (no metal). I wore jersey shorts, but they did have small metal eyelets for the drawstring. These were also deemed ok and I kept them on. T-shirt and bra with hooks in the back (also ok) I did take off all my jewelry and left it in the car. Once I was on the table, she took my glasses and put them on a shelf nearby. So, no gown for a knee, which was nice.

Music. Before you go in, decide what sort of music you want to listen to. My place uses I Heart Radio. The first time I did this, I had no idea what was happening and was caught off guard when they asked what music and said classical. Fair warning, this might sound nice and relaxing, but it also included Opera, and William Tell Overture. Pick something you can live with or that will amuse you. (classic rock hits, yacht rock, techno pop). The machine is LOUD. Even if you did not want music, you would probably want headphones. You can still hear the machine and when it changes intensity/focus, but it is not as loud.

What Happens.

You check in like you do any other appointment. You meet the tech, and they probably have a locker to store your belongings (keys, phone etc.) They take you to the machine and the table appears to be the size of a 2×4 (ok it is a bit wider; I think standard is about 24 inches). You get on the table and they secure the part of you they need the picture. The key is that whatever they are attempting to image should not move. With my knee, they put it in a U-shaped form to hold it steady and upright then did some sandbagging so it did not move around. I could move it if I really wanted to, the idea being… do not move it.

Now comes the music talk, you pick your choice, they put on the headphones on you and give you a call button/bulb to alert them if you need them. They then disappear.

The machine will start to hum and you slowly slide into the big circle. Sort of reminds me of those institutional toasters that you lay the bread on the belt and they slowly roll into the toaster and dump out the back (though you do not dump out the back!) Once they get the placement correctly it will begin. The machine will get louder, and you may notice slight shaking. There are different pitches, and I have yet to figure out what those mean.

This time, they had to pull me out twice to reposition the knee before we really got going. He mentioned that my kneecap was not where he expected it to be, I told him this did not surprise me. Don’t panic if this happens, they really just want a good picture. Beter fix it then, than having to come back!

With the knee, my toast-like self slides into the machine almost all the way. I am sure I look a bit like Kilroy Is Here with my eyes peaking out. Sometimes I look at the numbers on the machine, mostly I just shut my eyes. They have never mentioned I cannot breathe normally (so I do), mostly they just say, try not to move. My guess is the stiller you are, the quicker this can go. I would imagine that pictures higher up, the more your body needs to go in. I would suggest just shutting your eyes. I did that for my one CAT scan, and it helped some. Little freaky but you can do it!

This one took about four songs (Rush, Eagles, Alman Brothers, REO and I want to say some Cars). I play games in my head trying to guess the next song or what a song makes me think of. This time I tried to mentally take notes for a blog post. You could practice gratitude, or you could nap (though it is a bit loud and uncomfortable on the wee table). This is a time your body can only be doing one thing. Enjoy not multitasking.

Once they are done, the machine slides you back out the way you went in. They take the call button and headphones off. You can sit up and go get your stuff. Out the door you go.

At this point I reward myself (cup of tea/coffee or snack or a new book or flowers) because I have been so amazing and brave!

Photo: Neuron by Roxy Paine and can be found in the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI.