MRI Over- Waiting for results

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2004
MRI Over- Waiting for results
Tue, 10-18-2005 - 9:14pm

Hello and Thanks again for all your kind thoughts. It’s been a very hectic and tense day.

Ironically I had a pre-scheduled follow-up appointment with my Gastrointestinal Doc at 8:30 and my MRI at 10:30.

Let me start with the MRI. It actually went better than I expected – I guess the anticipation of the unknown is always the worst – not that I’d volunteer to have another too soon. Not being able to eat after midnite (which meant no breakfast) was not as bad either. My nerves were on overdrive and I wasn’t even hungry. I was thirsty however since I couldn’t even have any water. The tube was a little tight and the ceiling was right there in my face but I didn’t hyperventilate so that was good thing. The noise wasn’t a problem either nor the contrast dye thru the IV (the one for the CT makes you feel funny inside plus for that you have to drink that god-awful barium so there was a plus). The hard part was holding my breath while taking the pictures and because I have asthma, they made me use my rescue inhaler and that gives me the jitters so it was an uncomfortable feeling. So was the thing the tech strapped over my abdomen – she said it helped take the pictures- it was heavy and tight! It only took about 20 – 30 minutes so that wasn’t too bad.

Now begins the awful waiting for results. To add to the MRI results wait, I’m also waiting for the results of the blood tests that my GI doc sent me for. That was a tough appointment. As I said it was for 8:30 but I didn’t get called in til 8:50 and the doc didn’t come in until 9:10. It would have been later but the woman who was scheduled for 8:15 left at 8:45 because she couldn’t wait any longer so that made me next. It is frustrating to have to wait but both this doc and his NP both spend lots of time with you so it is great when you’re in the exam room but not so great when you’re in the waiting room. Anyway he did spend quite a bit of time with me – til 9:40 but then he said he had a waiting room full of people and needed to move on. At that point I felt very rushed and almost guilty for asking so many questions and for a repeat of what he was saying at times. As it is I’m not entirely sure what he said about the liver mass and the need for a possible biopsy and repeat blood tests in 3 months (???). All I know is he sent me for 4 blood tests – one was to test for gluten intolerance (possible reason for my digestive woes) and the other three were for cancer markers. That is just a little too scary for me. It is like déjà vu to last December waiting for the results of my breast biopsy which were fortunately benign. I kind of lost it late this afternoon at work and one of the girls suggested I call the office and ask the NP to call me to re-explain what I missed especially whe the MRI results will be in. I did. She’s not in til Thursday so more waiting.

Because I am still having GERD symptoms and taking Protonix twice a day and prescription pepcid at bedtime, the Doc wants me to have some more tests to see what the problem is. I have to go into one of the Boston hospitals to have 2 tests of the esophagus which involve tubes and scopes – yuck! That is set for November 3. then he might send me for an ultrasound to check my gallbladder and he also mentioned a small bowel follow-through.

Needless to say I’m a wreck!

Keep sending those positives thoughts my way please. I need them. I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.

Sue