MRI waiting on results

katenorwood
katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
edited October 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Had an MRI done Friday on the H/N.  Had posted I thought I was having issues with medications.  We went over all of them, and aren't finding the culprit.  Was wondering with other H/N dx's do any of you get pinned down to the table during one of these scans ?  Man that was a rough one.  Usually get CT's of the area.  This is my third one of that area in a few yrs. and they again put the cage over the head and neck and clamped it down.  Don't remember the last scan being this long....ugh maybe I'm just getting tired of it.  2 hrs. in the machine.  Short break in between for contrast.  I guess half way through I was wiggling my feet a bit...lol, told them I would cross them kidding around and they said yeah that would be great.  Sigh.  The fellow asked if I needed help getting up afterwards.  Yes, that would be nice, haven't been able to move around in 2 hrs...another sigh. 

They also drew blood, getting a geno type done to see if I happen to be an Alpha.  Short and simple way of seeing if there is a genetic issue with the lungs.  Thinking on this is my own system is attacking my lung tissue.  (immune system - white blood cells - sent to the Mayo for testing)  Will have all the results next Friday.  I hope this one comes back negative, otherwise other family members would have to be tested, as it is hereditary.  Well hoping everyone has a good wk. end, and I'm going to try to put all of this on the back burner for now.  Hugs sent !  Katie 

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    Sending you prayers, positive thoughts...

    huge hugs and a hand to hold, sweet Katie!  I hate scan time (as everybody knows).....My CT's have run from 1 to 1 1/2 hours....don't know why it would take longer sometimes.  I've never been clamped down either, but movement is darn limited in that cage.

    This geno-type thing sounds interesting....does that mean they can do something about it if they find something?

    p

  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #3
    My MRIs always take that

    My MRIs always take that long. Its the only scan I dread b/c of the cage & then being shoved into the tube. Talk about clausterphobic. Hope everything comes back quickly & with favorable results!

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #4
    Very brave

    there's no way would I go in a MRI for two hours or with a cage over my head. I'm so claustrophobic  of small spaces. The longest I've been in one is 45mins and not caged. It was bad enough with the rads but I didn't mind so much after a while as they were only 15 mins. I have to get drugged up to do scans. I'm ok with CT scans as your not shut in them. Poor you how did you do it, did you have a sedation. Nobody can be expected to keep still on their back for two hours...unless they are on a beach. I hope you don't have to do it again. 

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #5
    MRI time...

    Hi Katie:

    In the first two years following treatment, my oncologist was scanning me about every 3 months. He would leapfrog CTs and MRIs. May have been for insurance purposes but then again, if something suspicious came up on the CT, he sent me for an immediate MRI.

    I do remember my head being stabilized by blocks on either side and a strips across my head and chin to keep me moving around. My best guess - also puttng the 2 hour scan into context - the radiologist was looking for best possible detail. The more detail, the more time.

    I'm into my seventh year now out of treatment - I see my oncologist once a year. When i saw him last year he just scoped me (I had sinus cancer) but didn't order a scan. I supposed that's also since I had no complaints or unusual symptoms.

    Patience is certainly something we need - I hope things turn out OK for you with no major complications...

    - Jeff

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    aw, Katie, so sorry you have

    aw, Katie, so sorry you have to go through so much.  it seems like its never done.  2 hours in the machine, I would not have been able to move either!  yuck.  i'm glad that's over and I pray you get all good news.  sending love, hugs, positive thoughts, good mojo, and everything else that's good your way.  be sure to let us know the results.

    God bless you Kate,

    dj

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #7
    Hi Katie

    I never had to venture down that 2 hour road. But in the event I do I will request your by my side for your experience. Anytime I hear from my Katie #2 it is a good week.

    Enjoy the day.

          Jeff

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #8
    Hang in there

    if anyone can do this, you can.

    prayers and positive MOJO on the way from my family to yours.

    All the best

    Mike

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #9
    The waiting is the longest.

    Hope you get a good scan. Also hope you are not Alpha 1, I am, but I had emphysema from smoking but would have got it anyway because of the Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficieccy so now I have to watch my liver as well.

    We'll double up on the prayers for you Katie.

    Bill

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #10
    phrannie51 said:

    Sending you prayers, positive thoughts...

    huge hugs and a hand to hold, sweet Katie!  I hate scan time (as everybody knows).....My CT's have run from 1 to 1 1/2 hours....don't know why it would take longer sometimes.  I've never been clamped down either, but movement is darn limited in that cage.

    This geno-type thing sounds interesting....does that mean they can do something about it if they find something?

    p

    Yes and no

    The damage that is already done is permanant.  But they could slow the progression down with weekly infussions of blood plasma from a healthy donor.  Wanting to know more for the future generations, so that they know what to watch for and what to avoid to protect their lungs.  Thanks P for the thoughts !  Katie

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #11
    wmc said:

    The waiting is the longest.

    Hope you get a good scan. Also hope you are not Alpha 1, I am, but I had emphysema from smoking but would have got it anyway because of the Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficieccy so now I have to watch my liver as well.

    We'll double up on the prayers for you Katie.

    Bill

    May have questions

    Bill,

    Two of us, my sister and myself are being tested.  Yeah, me too with the smoking, and other environmental factors all of my life.  I may have lived way differently if I had known.  I received quite a bit of info. on it.  Again, more for the future generations and other's to know this is out there.  If it comes back ZZ, I'll pm you I know I'll have questions.  Thanks Bill !  Katie       

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #12
    Thank you everyone !

    I just want everyone to know how much I treasure your opinions and warm thoughts.  Hugs sent to all !  Katie

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #13
    good luck.

    hop all goes well. I had PET and CT and never was clamped. just lay still, slide into the tube and do the hold breath routine following the little face. I used to think the face was smiling, not telling me to hold my breath! LOL 

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #14
    Duggie88 said:

    Hi Katie

    I never had to venture down that 2 hour road. But in the event I do I will request your by my side for your experience. Anytime I hear from my Katie #2 it is a good week.

    Enjoy the day.

          Jeff

    good thoughts

    Katie,

    So sorry about 2 hours, I thought 30 minutes was bad, once with the cage, it sucks.

    Hoping for better days ahead for you.

    Now let me squeeze between Jeff & Mike for all eternity.

    Matt

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