When you show up for a Brain MRI to rule out a brain tumor, they really look atcha funny when you calmly hand over a CT scan report detailing strokes. Even the machine operators are not really wired for calm intelligence from patients. I wanted the MRI reader to have the report for reference, because of course I love the idea that if there has been a new stroke, I definitely have a baseline from which to date it. And I love the clearer detail on the older strokes, for the use of my main doc.

But I straightened him out before I left. I decided humor would improve his affect and perhaps loosen him up for the next lucky patient-- cuz he had done a good (if sort of freaked out) job.

As I gathered my things: "I'm sure you've heard this a million times, or maybe people just think it but don't say it-- it really IS just like being a tampon, getting shoved and held in that tight tube!"

No, he responded, he'd never heard THAT one. But I know it will stay in his mind. :~) I once called a gynie a muff diver. He never did get rid of it, he happily reported.


The doc who ordered this MRI has no idea about the earlier strokes. She's in for a big surprise when she gets her report.


MRIs are no fun, unless you make them fun. As soon as they slid me into the tube, I knew I had two choices of viewpoint: "Either I'm in God's firm and loving grip, or I am in King Kong's teeth and I am soon to be ravished and crushed." Obiviously I chose the former, and spent my 14 minutes meditating on how pointedly He has been directing my every step since the news of the strokes. "And now I want you right here, doing this," He said. "Just imagine how detailed a look you'll have of your wonderful, amazing brain."


Whatever! I am still sure this is positional vertigo-- the vibration of the machine-sound made one ear bonkers for an hour afterwards. and now I know which ear is affected. But I have also noticed in the last few days that bright FS light seems to help whatever is causing this issue-- another useful link to why this reared its ugly head when we got back from bright-sunny vacay to the darkened TV room.

~Susan