One of My Worst Phobias
Last Monday, was a busy day for me. I had an appointment with my surgeon to discuss treatment options about the tumor growth near on the right side of my temple area stretching down behind my ear. That area has been giving me excruciating pain for some time. (Note: This pain has nothing to do with the pain I've been having with the back of my head and into my head) With and extremely small needle (probably the size one would use for a diabetic shot), Dr. Gampper tried to give me some relief with a stronger form of the Novocaine class of medication, in hopes it could help ease some pain; but it didn't really do anything. Over email, we discussed another surgery is probably the best course of action.....plus there are still other things that needs to be taken care of with my NF condition. In light of so many things going on right now, I am not ready for another surgery....yet. He'll leave it to me, when I'm ready. Yes, I go through this so often so much; it's no fun, you never get used to it; it's still scary no matter what......
That same afternoon, I had a follow-up appointment with my Pain Management doctor at Augusta Health. We are still dealing with all the other pain I still have that still baffles all of us. It baffles all my doctors and it baffles myself. The pain is real and debilitating; but at least my doctors KNOWS I have it and doesn't doubt me one bit; my story is always the same. My abdominal issues is still really rough and for now, Dr. Lee wants to try to step back and try some topical pain treatments instead of injections. Here is why: My neurologist from UVA feels as if my head pain and neck pain is not getting anywhere better, in fact, the R.O.M is not ideal. Dr. Lee ordered an MRI of my lower skull, neck, and upper spine to see if there is anything showing up on the disks between the columns or if there could be any NF in between the disks. Yes.....I hate MRIs I'm claustrophobic and I told Dr. Lee about that. He ordered my Xanax, which in the past has put me in a good "la-la" state and had worked "ok" for me. I had the MRI TODAY (This evening 6/30 at 6:15pm). When I got there, they put me in a newer MRI machine....it was a bigger "hole"
so I was actually doing fairly well.
The bigger dome MRI (example)
The tech had to put a strap around my neck to take the pictures. However, because I am so "tiny" (The tech put it "I was a pediatric structure"....which I wasn't surprised because almost every test I take/have done, I'm usually always give pediatric supplies).....Basically, the "dome" was too far away from my body to get a good picture and the neck piece didn't fit well enough. the tech had to do a REPEAT of the test and she had to put me in the regular MRI machine.
Example of the regular MRI machine.
It was an awful experience----aka...serious phobia. Either I have become immune to Xanax or my claustrophobia has gotten worse over the years. At first, when the tech rolled me in there I started to shake and moan pretty intensely...the tech tried to cover my eyes and then asked me if I wanted some music to listen to, so I asked for Christian music. I'm very thankful to God that I was able to endure the 20 minutes I was in there!
I won't know the results of the MRI until a few days, and then the next course of treatment will be discussed. I'm tired of tests, surgeries, treatments, etc; but I know it's for the better. I know God is in control and has purposes for everything.
That same afternoon, I had a follow-up appointment with my Pain Management doctor at Augusta Health. We are still dealing with all the other pain I still have that still baffles all of us. It baffles all my doctors and it baffles myself. The pain is real and debilitating; but at least my doctors KNOWS I have it and doesn't doubt me one bit; my story is always the same. My abdominal issues is still really rough and for now, Dr. Lee wants to try to step back and try some topical pain treatments instead of injections. Here is why: My neurologist from UVA feels as if my head pain and neck pain is not getting anywhere better, in fact, the R.O.M is not ideal. Dr. Lee ordered an MRI of my lower skull, neck, and upper spine to see if there is anything showing up on the disks between the columns or if there could be any NF in between the disks. Yes.....I hate MRIs I'm claustrophobic and I told Dr. Lee about that. He ordered my Xanax, which in the past has put me in a good "la-la" state and had worked "ok" for me. I had the MRI TODAY (This evening 6/30 at 6:15pm). When I got there, they put me in a newer MRI machine....it was a bigger "hole"
so I was actually doing fairly well.
The bigger dome MRI (example)
The tech had to put a strap around my neck to take the pictures. However, because I am so "tiny" (The tech put it "I was a pediatric structure"....which I wasn't surprised because almost every test I take/have done, I'm usually always give pediatric supplies).....Basically, the "dome" was too far away from my body to get a good picture and the neck piece didn't fit well enough. the tech had to do a REPEAT of the test and she had to put me in the regular MRI machine.
Example of the regular MRI machine.
It was an awful experience----aka...serious phobia. Either I have become immune to Xanax or my claustrophobia has gotten worse over the years. At first, when the tech rolled me in there I started to shake and moan pretty intensely...the tech tried to cover my eyes and then asked me if I wanted some music to listen to, so I asked for Christian music. I'm very thankful to God that I was able to endure the 20 minutes I was in there!
I won't know the results of the MRI until a few days, and then the next course of treatment will be discussed. I'm tired of tests, surgeries, treatments, etc; but I know it's for the better. I know God is in control and has purposes for everything.
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