I have had a CAT scan and two MRIs so I wasn't concerned - Yes you are in a tunnel and yes it is loud - sort of like being in a 55 gallon drum with someone beating on it with several different types of hammers.... anyway, I was not overly concerned...
This time, they put my shoulder in a hard plastic harness and stuffed me and the harness into the MRI machine. Well, I was in an awkward position and by shoulder was being twisted in an unusual position. I have never been able to judge time in the tube, no watch, and all the beating throws you off your counting routines... Anyway, after a short period of time my bound-up shoulder was in pain and the rest of that arm was numb..... The pain got worse and the arm continued to be numb.... Finally, I moved.... bad deal... they had to have a do-over for that part of the test so it lasted a little longer than the 30 minutes that it was supposed to last... my bad...
Well that is behind me and I have the results. No torn rotator cuff.... good news.... I have, to quote my doctor, really bad, bad, bad, advanced arthritis." He immediately sent me to the orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Aiken, who I can see on November 7the.... he is really good and is very busy!!!! He did my knee!! My doctor, not wanting to be overly optimistic, says he my want to scrape or replace my shoulder... Hummmmmmmm, I will have to think about those options.
More importantly, I am bummed out about the fact that this is my second joint to have been affected by my arthritisto the point of surgery or possible surgery. I have been pondering the possibilities of a continuing list of joints that will continue to deteriate over time.... Well, I will hop off of my pity pot now....and get on with my life.
Thanks for listening. Remember to take good care of yourself so you can take good care of another.... Love, john
