Scare D Cat

Yesterday I did the tube thing. The first series of bangs, clangs, and other repetitive rhythms lasted about 20mins. The second round with the contrast took about 45.  The method that has worked for me in the past has been keeping my eyes closed the second the little table starts its trip into the tube and never opening them until I am out. I figured why chance freaking out. My first MRI was years ago to capture my wrist. The MRI at that time was a very long and closed tube.  I had major problems with that one – head-first into a small closed-end tube. Such a scare-d-cat I almost cried uncle wanting to get out, out, out. These newer ones are way more open.

Somewhere during the last scan I fell asleep and when I was jarred out of my semi sleep by the technicians voice I opened my freaking eyes.  I few seconds of panic – oh no you biffed it you opened your eyes now your in for it – the little voices in my head – and then I realized oh cool and closed my eyes again – I did not freak- YEAH.

I talked to friends who had already done the contrast and read of few post on forums about what to expect. Honesty, other than the stick of the needle I noticed nothing. No sensations of heat or cold etc. Glad it is over with.

Mr Catfish has been having some problems.  First he managed to partially tear or injure his hind legs ACL. We are hoping it is not torn. Second he has been shaking for no reason.  The knee is getting better with rest. The knee problems and the shaking are not related. His blood tests were normal with his sugar? levels a bit high but not diabetic levels so we shall keep an eye on that.  He just shakes and I have noticed it is when he gets startled. If the TV gets loud all of a sudden, wrappers in a trash can move, a soda bottle pops, just any sudden thing that startles him. I guess the little guy gets scared now?  So we cuddle with his favorite toys and blanket until it passes.  Good to go until the next time.

Well I need to go get ready for PE class and gather up the swim gear for that class. I thin it is the last week of swim class 🙁

7 Comments

  1. Yup yup yup! Me too! I close my eyes before the little slidey table goes into the machine, and don’t open them again until I come out. I always thought that was kind of a crazy way to deal with the situation, but it works for me. I guess there are two of us crazy people =D

    I’m sorry to hear that Mr Catfish is having a tough time. Jasmine recommends cuddles and a blankie. Bareit is sure that treats would make him feel better.

  2. Catfish is happy to take Bareits advice LOL Scobby snacks ahoy!

    Eyes closed allows denial of the situation? Glad I am not the only one who does it also. I was glad that I was able to close my eyes and go back to my “happy” place instead of going into a full out panic.

    I wonder what the technical term is for the little slidey table?

  3. You mean some people open their eyes in the tube?! Actually I have done that in the past when I was highly medicated. But now I keep ’em tightly shut. I was so terrified of the tube that my first brain MRI was done on an open machine. Alas, those fuzzy crappy picture are what the neurosurgeon had to use for navigation in my brain surgery. Little did I know that I’d meet the tube many more times in the next two years. Glad you came through ok.

    About Catfish, I’d shake the tree. But in the meantime, there are homeopathic remedies for anxiety or sensitivity to sound (actually I quite relate to that). Hope your furry buddy gets better. Yes, treats.

  4. Diane J Standiford

    Eye closer here too. I sing s song in my head that lasts as long as they tell me the MRI will take and I always refuse the contrast. Poor Catfish…blankey time.

    • I start with counting and then try and guess when the time is up. I then move on to remembering happy times and happy places, I feel asleep trying to remember f(x) as x approaches infinity – err Ia la la limits ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

      next time maybe I will hum?

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