I went to the hospital this morning for my veneous and arterial doppler. I got there extra early, but fortunately they were able to move me through pretty fast. My first test was at 9:30, but I was ready for it by 9:05! When I went in to radialogy for the dopplers, I was informed that they can’t do both on the same day (insurance reasons), so I now I get to set up another appointment for the arterial doppler. Of course, the scheduling office is closed on Saturday, so I have to wait until Monday to do that.
Whenever I have blood drawn, the techs always comment on what small veins I have. I almost always end up having it drawn from my hand instead of my arm. I learned today that I also have small veins in my legs – she had a very hard time imaging them for the test. So small that even drinking a ton of water to make sure I am well hydrated doesn’t help.
Then I went over for the MRI. You are asked many times if you are claustrophobic, and I said no – I didn’t think I was. I can handle small rooms and small places just fine.
I can not handle the MRI machine.
The tech gave me earplugs and sent me in to the machine. She asked if I was ok, and at first I started to say that I was – and then I realized that I felt like I was trapped and I couldn’t breathe and my heart was racing and it was too tight and I couldn’t handle it ohmygodgetmeout! She brought me out, let me catch my breath, let me sit up so I felt better, and reassured me that it was ok and she would take as long as I needed. I decided to test it out with my eyes closed, and that did the trick for the most part. I didn’t like feeling the walls against my arms, but as long as I kept my eyes closed and breathed in and out slowly with long deep breaths, I was ok for the most part. I almost had her pull me out again before the last test, but decided to just stick it out through the last 4 minutes. The entire drive home I felt like my heart was racing though – not fun at all.
Next time I get to do an MRI, I think I’m going to get someone to drive me, and I’m going for the Xanax that she suggested.
They will be faxing the results to my doctor on Tuesday, if not sooner, so until then it’s just a matter of waiting. That, and trying to figure out where I’m going to come up with the money to cover my deductible. Ugh.
Mike’s parents came in to town on Wednesday, and we had dinner together that night at Josephine’s, then Thanksgiving Day was spent with them at my parent’s house, and yesterday we went to Galveston. Today they are visiting Rice and seeing some other sights while Jason and I are going to the downtown library to pick up books for his science fair project on catapults. Then we are all getting together this afternoon at the Museum of Natural Science to visit the butterfly exhibit. It’s been quite a nice holiday!