I’ve received a few messages regarding my MRI. I really appreciate the prayers and the kind thoughts. So, I traveled down to get the open MRI. If you remember I needed an open MRI as I have a fairly severe case of claustrophobia and a regular MRI I simply cannot handle. Well, I traveled a couple of hours south this past week and went to get the open MRI. After getting put into the machine I found the top of the device was mere inches from the tip of my nose and not much different than a traditional MRI. I tried….really tried…..but could not stay in it.
Tomorrow I have an appointment to discuss my enlarged spleen and the need for the MRI – as well as possible options. Could I be knocked out for the procedure? Is there another MRI device I may be able to do? I’ve already had several people tell me I should “man up” and just do it. They fail to comprehend the mental toll this particular situation causes and the stresses.
What if I just leave it as is?
We will see.
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
I picked up another Explorer Survivor II Survival Knife. These are not easy to find. I absolutely love them. When I think back to the origins of the survival knife I look to the classic movie First Blood. This Explorer Survivor II knife is an excellent representation of the knife from that movie as well as the intent and theory behind what the knife was meant to be.
Yes – hollow handle knives lack the same strength as a full tang. As I now own 3 of these knives – the first has the blade welded to the pommel. I plan to do the other two as well as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Regardless – I simply love these knives.
No – they will never take the place of my Gerber BMF.
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
Granted – it’s not for everyone but again, I’m trying to reach as many people as possible.
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
Let’s try this again…….Hello all. In these crazy times, I’m going to try to pass on any great deals I come across. I just saw that over on Amazon the Auguson Farms Potato Shreds – which have a 25+ years shelf life – are on sale for $8.14 per can. I ordered a few for myself.
At a price less than $9, this is a no-brainer if you can afford it. Maine Prepper Girl and I have discussed the need to prioritize water and food for the rest of 2024. A few cans this month of these Potato Shreds in addition to our normal stocks just makes sense at these prices.
As of this writing, the price was $8.14. It may change at any time.
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.
Rourke
💥 Prepper's Guide to Building a Survival and Preparedness Arsenal 💥
I have the same problem as you Mr. Rourke. I (the staff) put a solid color wash cloth over my entire face leaving room to breath out of my mouth. I can’t see anything and it works fine. It also helps to have headphones on while listening to music. Some MRI machines have their own music and others don’t. The ones that don’t I use a small battery radio with headphones and that works well.
For myself, if I can’t see the machine I’m okay. Good luck!
Rourke, there’s no earthly reason why they can’t give you some drugs before the MRI. I’m angry that they didn’t give you any when scheduling the open MRI, because it’s not that open. My son has the same problem, only he’s considerably larger than you and is literally squished by the machines. He doesn’t remember what they gave him, but it was 2 pills that had to be taken an hour or so apart. One was before we left home (he couldn’t drive while on them), and the other was right before the test. He still wasn’t too thrilled at being inside the machine, but he said the drugs worked well and got him through it.
Not as good as your #10 cans of potatoes, but my online Walmart has begun selling Great Value pasta at slightly-reduced prices in quantities of 5 or 6. They also now have Great Value orzo, which I’ve never seen before.
Change the diet and your body won’t need the fookin’ MRI. Tough love brother.
It’s firstly not ok to be told to man up ! Not being able to be in confined spaces is not something you would have control over and the fact that you were able to bring this to their attention prior to the mri , they should have had back up plans to have the mri completed . Please persist with the mri , they are a valuable source of health data that can be life changing in certain events . My mother has issues with confined spaces and they give her some medication and allow music for her .
John, been there and the panic attack is horrible, my VA primary doctor made arrangements for me to go to a place that had a sit down version and they had a TV you could watch but not listen due to the noise of the machine, it worked for me as I was not enclosed. Good luck, pps most of the places today give you earphones to listen to music which helps
Hang in there pal, i too am claustrophobic. See if a provider has a more open unit. The local cardiac specialty hospital has one that gives you about 10 inches of clearance, good luck pal.
Can you find an MRI place that has machines for the morbidly obese? Not that you are, but many hospitals can do that for you. You won’t have your nose against the roof either. Or ask them if they can give you some Valium or Versed. They use Versed for colonoscopies for conscious sedation; you are awake, but don’t remember the procedure. I’m not claustrophobic per se, my only fear when having one done is what if there is a terrorist attack when I am in the tube. Good luck.
My grand daughter performs MRI’s She said many of her clients have a port put in their arm and are given sedation in order to handle the procedure. Hope this helps. P.s. I have the same problem.
I close my eyes before they move me into the MRI and keep them closed the whole time. I also try and keep my mind busy. If I open them, I am done!!! Feels like I am in a coffin.
Same here like you and other people. But I did it. Kept my eyes and sang old songs. And they let my husband sit in the same room which comforted me.
My sister is the same. They gave her something and she didn’t even remember it.
So really try as this procedure really needs to done. Good luck!!!