MRI Friday

Ok it's Friday, day one of our vacation which is cool as ice cream cake. Unfortunately after talking to my doctor yesterday and throughout the past month he wants me to go over to the imaging center and get an MRI done on my lumbar and spine so they can see if anything is going on requiring additional attention. My legs and calves have been feeling poppy, crackly and on the verge of a charlie horse the past month or so, along with the consistently achy back. It's really affecting my workouts (both cardiovascular and strength training) as well as general day-to-day life. The symptoms are all very strange as well, so they say, although it initially sounds like a sciatic issue or pinched nerve we can't know for certain without the MRI's.

The bigger issue is that its nothing new, just the constant nagging is. My lower back has bothered me more and more since I was about 11 years old its just a different sort of constant pain now. This getting old shxt sucks!

To be honest, I am stoked that my insurance pre-authorized the testing right away and the doctors office was able to get me in so fast (all-in-all it took them less than a full business day). Anyway like I was saying, I was/am really stoked to be going in for the tests until I talked to the tech yesterday afternoon and she told me that they will be doing one with "contrast" in addition to a non-contrast one. So I have to fast, ok no biggie right?

Nope, fuck me! This means I will have to fast as well as get an IV and some "contrast" injected so they can better see what is going on, I was hoping for a chalky banana flavored drink or something worse case. I mean dont get me wrong it's great but sucks at the same time because yea, its yet another needle I have to deal with and I have a bad needle phobia and have been dealing with them a lot lately. Last time I had to have a contrast added it was gnarly and fucked me up for a couple days after, mostly because it was a nuclear medicine version but still, no fun.

My appointment is at 11:15 and I am not allowed to eat or drink before it as mentioned so that sucks! No Blind Dog coffee goodness to kick start my day. Once it is over I will be jazzed and think I may treat myself to Taco Bell as a reward, bad I know but I earned it so get outta my face.

What a great way to start a vacation huh? In reality it is, I mean at least they will know something by the time I get back on the 14th. Well they will know the results sooner, prolly Monday or Tuesday, but since I will be out of the country I wont be able to find out anything which is ok so I dont sweat it on vacation.

UPDATE: All done, the tech was awesome and really friendly, informational and helpful. Bad news is that because I could not eat or drink my veins would not cooperate as usual when it was time to add the contrast injections so I had to get stuck 3 or 4 different times, just my luck 'eh? Nice bruised arm to go with it too, ahh nothing a tan wont fix?

No matter it's done so I will rip off the "stickiest tape known to man", 4 cotton wads and whatever skin and hair that goes with it and call it a success. Not too soon though, its time for my well deserved Taco Bell lunch.

Few more hours and its officially Rum:30!

Photo: Cool rock with a stain that looks like a Chihuahua to me