So, here is what you should know about MRI:
- Your MRI will pick up everything. Great if you have certain types of breast cancer, because they will likely be detected, and this could save your life. Bummer if it’s not cancer, because you’ll be forced to chase it down like it is cancer in order to confirm that it’s not, and this could take a really long time, and even if it doesn’t take a really long time, it will seem like forever, and you will worry and fret and panic until you find answers.
- Your MRI should be scheduled for a day that is between something like seven and 15 after days after the onset of your period. This is very important. Should you schedule off this track, your MRI (remember, it will pick up everything) will zero in on all sorts of hormonal tissue changes, and this could lead a concerned radiologist to indicate in test results that “malignancy is considered.”
Get where I’m headed here?
In a nutshell, I caution you to (a) realize MRI is a very sensitive screening tool, and (b) make sure you are scheduled properly when you plan to use this very sensitive screening tool. If (a) and (b) converge, you might have a stressful time on your hands, like I just did.
Why for my past five MRIs no one has ever asked about my cycles when scheduling me, I will never know. And WOW, how lucky I’ve been for all those five times to not have happen to me what happened last Thursday. You see, my period started the day after my last-week MRI, and it looks like this just skewed everything. Yesterday’s MRI, though, implemented properly, apparently showed that the worrisome issues had resolved.
<sigh>
No.
<big sigh>
You just can’t imaging how relieved I am, given the fact that seven years ago TODAY, I had a biopsy for a lump I’d found in my left breast. The next day, the day before Thanksgiving, a doctor called me to say, “unfortunately, cancer cells were found.” That just can’t happen twice, with such precise timing.
It just can’t.
And it didn’t.
Now is when I get to declare that I am the happiest girl I know!
(But you know what? There’s a teeny tiny part of my brain thinking that someone might call and say, “nevermind, there is something wrong,” and, in the spirit of being totally honest, I must admit this.)
Vicki on 11/23/2011 at 12:18 am said:
Jacki – that is such great news! I’m so sorry that you had to go thru all of that though and yes – why on earth would they NOT ask you about your cycle if they know it can skew results. But, in trying to find the ‘reason’ for your concern over the past week or so- I really think it will likely help prevent many women go thru the same thing you went thru b/c you are blogging about it and getting the word out there! And it is one more thing to add to your ‘Thanksgiving List’ of things you are Thankful for! Not that you needed a reminder in that way
! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those handsome boys of yours! I know they are even more Thankful that you are okay!
Kathy in TX on 11/23/2011 at 2:22 am said:
Woo Hoo! I am feeling your relief, and so very thankful for this amazing news!
Breathe easy and enjoy your beautiful family on this especially blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Hugs, Kathy
Renee on 11/23/2011 at 9:38 am said:
Overwhelmed… as always!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
me
Nancy on 11/23/2011 at 9:56 am said:
Breathing a big sigh of relief for you! Now you can enjoy your holiday, or at least enjoy it more. I’m sure you still have memories of that day that creep in…
Good advice here, too, about scheduling an MRI. I had one this past summer, also looking for a recurrence, ugh. So much anxiety, so I know what that’s like.
April on 11/23/2011 at 11:20 am said:
Happy Holidays Jacki. Another reason for you to celebrate this holiday season….nothing abnormal. And thanks for the great advice.