My MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Experiemce

Are you aware what takes place in an MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan?  Well, you'll get scared if you know that you will go inside a closed machine.  Moreover, since the purpose is to see what's wrong inside the body you are also wary about the result; that it could possibly change your life is unfathomable.  

I just underwent three scans.   Before the scheduled procedure last week, I asked: 

“Is the procedure invasive?”,  my doctor, a neuro ophthalmologist, one among only thirty doctors in the Philippines who specialized in the field assured me that “it’s fairly safe”.   

Fortunately I had a blood test two weeks ago so I got cleared after I showed my creatinine level result. This is important to ensure that the kidneys can filter the dye used for contrast. 

I asked for allergy precaution and I was prescribed anti-allergy tabs, prednisone to be specific, that I took twice ; one tablet 10 hours before and another one 2 hours before the procedure. 

My close friend, a nurse told me to wear comfortable clothes without anything metallic.  For the first time in 50 years, I took off my wedding ring.  My friend also adamantly cautioned me to close my eyes before I will slide inside the machine. 

In a waiting room, a nurse explained the procedure; which greatly quelled my apprehension. She then inserted an access on the back of my palm for the dye to go through.  My last minute questions properly clarified,  I went through the procedure with a better frame of mind.  That also erased doubts that may otherwise prompt me to consider backing out at the last minute, and to run passed the nurses in the radiology room. 

I asked if there is medication I can take to prevent allergy from the dye after the procedure but I was assured that taking lots of water, 8-12 glasses within the next 12 hours will flush down the dye. 

The technician assisted me while I lay down the "bed" part of the machine. He told me what to expect before putting the earplugs; that I must not move my head; that the initial scan will last 30 minutes; then they'll bring me out to inject the dye before the contrast scan which will take 15-20 minutes more. 

He covered me with a thick and heavy blanket and put a cloth over my head like a helmet, leaving only my face exposed. He handed me a buzzer to alert him should I find something wrong. Then he must have pushed a button and I was swallowed by the machine. 

I tried to sleep it out but it was impossible because I was quite nervous so I just prayed the rosary, counting the Hail Mary's with my fingers, the only body part I can move along with my toes. I completed 3 mysteries and halfway through the 4th.  

Finally, true to the time specified, the grinding sound stopped and I was out of the machine. However, since I was in a confined area: which is pretty much like a coffin, and my eyes closed, it felt like it lasted forever.  I remembered to take one glass of water right after. 

Back in the waiting room, I saw my daughter eagerly waiting and probably quite nervous as well, asked how I was feeling and I assured her I was fine. 

The nurse took off the IV access and told me to watch out for allergies: hives, rashes, itchiness, redness, runny nose, dizziness, coughing and vomiting  in the next 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Should this happen I'll need to go to the emergency.  Thank God, I did not experience any. 

MRI is really quite an experience, hopefully I'll never have to go through one again.  Mind you, MRI is not cheap. I'm just glad that the result turned out well. 

Life Is A Cycle Of Waiting: Shall We Wait In Happiness Or Impatience?

Yes indeed! our entire life is a process of waiting as we go through life's passages.  From birth, we wait to be able to walk, to grow until we can go to school.  We wait until we graduate to get a job.  We get married and wait for children to come. We continue working until we retire, and then we finally wait for our next life. 

Our parish priest in his pink vestments on the 6 am mass this morning happily said that today, we light the pink candle.  Today, the 3rd Sunday of Advent is a happy occasion. 

He says that the best way to live life is to be happy.  For every stage of life there is the process of waiting.  Whatever cards we were dealt with in life, we should not get bored, grouchy or impatient. What's the rush? We have a lifetime. 

Jim Henson said: " Life is meant to be joyous, fun and fulfilling". 

Of course there are occasions when we can't help but be impatient, the best example is coping with heavy traffic.  How can we make good use of our time when caught in traffic?  

We could listen to good music and even sing along,  if we are not driving, we could read an ebook; catch up on emails or return calls from love ones. We could even pray the rosary, in fact we could do anything to entertain oneself. 

Oftentimes however we can't help but feel frustrated, bored and lonely.  Could it be that we are losing or missing out on the meaning of our own life? 

From the 15 quotes on the Meaning of Life, Anais Nin made me understand:

"There is not a big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our own life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person".  

How then can we start finding again the meaning of our own when it seems to elude us?

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe said: 

"The man who is born with a talent which he is meant to use, finds his GREATEST HAPPINESS IN USING IT"

If we were given only a few days to live, how shall we live it?  Will we wallow in self-pity, anger and despair? Or choose otherwise?

We always have a choice to make good use of the time left.  We can choose to be happy. 

In Search For My Next Big Thing

"Mom, what are you doing now, aside from crocheting?", my son asked while we were having brunch during the Christmas season.  At first, I couldn't answer, I was at a loss because  I wanted to tell him I'm doing something big, interesting and productive but there was none, at least that's what I thought then. 

I can understand why my son asked because he knows that his Dad and I always have "things to do".  Just like our two daughters, he is encouraging and supportive of our interest because they want us to enjoy our lives.  My son always read my blogs and gives positive feedback  in spite the  of hundreds of emails he reads and responds to everyday at work.

Since we sold the convenience store, I have been soul searching for something to do but it only gave me blank boards. 

However, after talking to my younger daughter the last time she was in town, she said that I don't need to do something big for a start.  "For instance, start to focus more on your health and do related activities.  There are many little things you can do, it need not be big and spectacular". 

You see, my idea of something-to-do should be financially productive.  Since I got married, I always pulled my weight in that department that's why I've always geared my activities towards an earning venture, something I always enjoyed doing.  But my daughter enlightened me that it doesn't always be so. 

Therefore, as I start this year on my 8th decade, I'll keep an open mind,  ready for my next big thing. In the meantime,  I aim to celebrate my life in good health, joy, love and peace.