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So it snowed and rained and generally was stupid, weather-wise last night, starting at around 2300. I got up this morning and made it to the hospital in reasonable time. In fact, I got there act exactly 0855, the requested twenty minutes before my MRI was scheduled.

Fuckery ensues.

So an hour and change (as well as about two dozen phone calls by the Imaging nurse/receptionist) later, my results for the ocular orbit X-ray are found (doctor's impression: clean of ferrous metal), I've filled out the paperwork (yes, I have an orthodontic element in my jaw, no I don't have a pacemaker, no I'm not pregnant...) and most importantly they've located the scrip for the MRI itself. And determined that I don't need an RQI or ... some damn acronym related to a referral number that was related to my insurance. Once all that was settled I was whisked off to the changing room, stripped of everything that might kill me or damage the machine and then whisked down a different hall to the MRI itself. While the tech got me situated I bantered with her a bit, and when I started talking about the helium cooling system I think I surprised her. She surprised me back by sharing a discussion she had with a GE engineer about the new water-cooling models they're going to be introducing, as well as a 9 Tesla model they're experimenting with at the U of I. Pretty cool, though as I understand it the tunnel's only big enough to shoot images of rodents. We won't be seeing people in that any time soon...

I can see why traditional MRIs could freak some people out. Lots of different noises that were quite loud, even with the earplugs I was given by the technologist. If somebody were claustrophobic the tight space of the tunnel could be very disconcerting. You've no sense of time in there, which didn't bother me (I just counted through the seconds for each imaging shot) but it could make some people twitchy. The hardest part for me, really, was just the sheer act of concentrating on not moving while the studies were being taken. That's when you get paranoid with thoughts of Shit, I have to swallow. Did I move when I swallowed? Oh, I have to s wallow again already! ARGH! That, or your nose itches and you know you can't do anything about it. Mostly I just kept my breathing shallow and sorta half-napped throughout the experience. Twenty minutes later or so I was up and out, being guided back to the locker room so I could put all my accessories back on.

An e-mail just came in from my father and it's gone a long way to relieving the anxiety I felt over my grandfather's condition. The total lack of information surrounding his sudden transferal was making me crazy, but that's also finally explained. From the e-mail:

Guess all the transferring, was excitement for Naught. St. Francis was apparently afraid of his irregular heart beat and low blood pressure. Both of which he's had forever,and lots of people do. Anyways, Mom said they were saying he needed to go to Abbott Northwestern 'cause he needed a pacemaker. The cardiologist at Abbott however said he didn't see any need for that. It's recovery time for the kidneys bladder etc. He will be talking to the Urologist today and see what needs to be done. So all in all, the transfer was for naught. But perhaps the best thing that could happen. Not as convenient for Mom, but perhaps far better medical advise and consultation.

Here we have all the proof one could want that the science of medicine is anything but a science with some of today's hospitals. "You haven't passed urine for five days? Well, you also have a slightly irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure. Screw your established medical history, records are for losers! Let's give you a pacemaker!" Ugh. As my dad wrote, Abbott Northwestern seems to be staffed by slightly more competent and less panic-ridden doctors. In the long run maybe this transfer (though it was unnecessary and done out of fear) was a good thing...

Just don't look back 'cause I won't be there