Messed up MRI - be sure it doesn't happen to you!

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VeganGal
VeganGal Member Posts: 154
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
Messed up MRI - be sure it doesn't happen to you!
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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Hey Gals . . . just a heads up so it doesn't happy to you . . . I had my MRI last night . . . they got me all organized, put the needle in my arm, got me situated on the machine, and hooked up the needle to the contrast drip. I was in the machine, about 20 minutes in the procedure . . . and I was keeping perfectly still . . .when I felt this gush of liquid on my right arm (where the needle was). I knew that this was not normal, so I pressed the call button. It turns out the nurse who put in my needle didn't tighten the valve properly and it popped out. Literally. And, the test was "null and void". Now I get to go back tomorrow night (4 hour round trip) and to it all over again!!! Yeah. So, if you're getting an MRI, make sure the technician checks the valve in the needle so it doesn't happen to you!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for the tip.... My trip to MRI land is tomorrow afternoon. Good luck tomorrow with yours!!!

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    You too Melrosemelrose!!!

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited March 2012

    That STINKS!!....so sorry that happened to you.  Good luck tomorrow night....

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited March 2012

    Oh that is awful, I'm so sorry! I've two breast MRIs and both times I found them claustrophobic and, of course, every test is stressful so you don't need a stupid tech. error to boot! Here's wishing you a smooth MRI and good news to follow

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Ladies . . . appreciate it:-)

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  • Greatlakes435
    Greatlakes435 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2012

    Thanks. That's crazy.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Ick...that sucks!  Especially with such a long trip either way.  Didn't have that issue, but: 

    About halfway through my first MRI, the tech asked if I could "straighten my arm" (the one with the IV in it...which was already as straight as I could get it but I tried).  They pulled me out a couple of minutes later and told me that the IV had kinked and they'd have to do a repeat in a couple of days.  When they pulled me out, all he did was ask me if I had straightened my arm like he requested and I replied I had tried to do so.  Interestingly, that request while I was in the tube was the ONLY time he spoke to me.

    Went in two days later for the repeat and found out from the new tech that the original IV had kinked near the machine...not even related to my arm or its position.  They were incredibly apologetic about how the earlier tech seemed to imply I had done something wrong and I was really happy that the new tech spoke to me frequently, letting me know how long each step would take, etc.

    These kinds of things happen but I swear I'll be more assertive from now on (says the gal who allowed a nurse to blow a vein when doing a 3rd attempt to put in an IV for her CT scan...okay, assertiveness is something I have to work on!!)

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    HI Ysa . . . ug . . . just as frustrating!!! Glad the second one went OK!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    MRI land here we come today!!! That will be one more test down and who knows how many more!!!

    Looking for some calm and peace today.  Staying positive and moving forward.  Sending you hugs.

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Good Luck Melrosemelrose!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Good Luck to you too!!!!!   Positive thoughts coming to all!!!!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Hey VeganGal--- Just got back from MRI land; one more test down and one more piece of information for my treatment plan!!! Hope yours went well.  I almost started coughing during one of the tests but held it in.  Have a good weekend. Sending you positive thoughts..... 

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Hey Melrosemelrose . . . got back at about 1am . . .they did it right this time!!!! Yeah for us both. Yup . . . another test down. I "get" my final treatment plan on Friday morning . . . just waiting until then . . . when do you know yours?

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Good Morning!!!! I've got a meeting with my oncologist Tuesday morning.  Hopefully, I will have a better idea of where I am heading.  I know I have to have more surgery to get clean margins which since I have close margins.  I know I have a some decisions to make about that surgery which are not easy to make.  So I'm doing a little homework and working through the possibilities through my head.  Meanwhile, trying to find a little calm, a little peace and keeping a positive attitude.

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Do you have multiple tumours in multiple quadrants (I do) . . . or are is it localized? I've put together a big binder with several tabs (surgery, post surgery treatments, reconstruction etc.), so that DH and I are gonna be super organized when we go in. I even put together about an 8 page questionnaire so that I don't forget to ask anything while I'm there . . .

    And yes . . . trying to live normally in the interim . . . I'm making broccoli soup for lunch to normalize my day!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    I'm the one with the weirdo rare breast cancer-- I originally went in to have a large cyst removed.  The FNA that I had before the removal didn't show any cancer  The pathology on the cyst came back that it was an intracystic cancer-- cancer formed in the lining of the cyst.  It apparently has two components DCIS non invasive and IDC invasive. It's also called encapsulated carcinoma.  I'm hoping that the cyst wall was strong enough to not let any of the cancer cells out.  But who knows.  The new BS I have said that the MRI would be helpful but knew it might be a little murky since I just had the nasty thing removed a little over two weeks ago.  My recovery from that hasn't been too bad.  By the way, I do have a localized reaction( hives)  to the MRI dye in the left boob.  Poor little boob..... Hope you didn't have any side effects from yours.

    Getting my papers organized today also before it gets really busy. The breast cancer center that I am going through gave me this huge file with folders to help me keep track of everything plus lots of info booklets that they  get from the American Cancer Society.  It is a great help so I don't have to think--- just do.

    HUGS TO YOU!!!!

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  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited March 2012

    OH, wow.  I am so sorry. 

    I hate MRI's and if and when I have to have breast MRI - do they still put you in that teeny tiny little tube, feet first?  I will die....My last MRI, 10 yrs ago, of my low back, took 20 mg of valium to get me to lay still.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Yep.. still slide through a tube, feet first and on your stomach.  I had taken some prescrip. cough medicine for my current sinus allergies before I had the procedure done so I wouldn't cough.  But of course, I wanted to cough but held it in. 

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Hey Melrosemelrose . . . wow . . . I've never heard of that . . . but then again, so much I had never heard of as short as a few weeks ago . . . do our lives ever change eh? They really do put our boobs through the ringer - ug. Can't believe you have a rash and everything. So uncomfortable  . . . my left boob is still literally black and blue from my biopsies (which were more than 2 weeks ago!). I'm really glad to hear that you have your "binder" in order too . . . I agree that we really need all our questions organized so we don't forget. Don't want the leave the meeting and say "oops, should have asked" . . . Hugs back to you 'Sista . . . .

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    Hey, my left boob is pretty colorful too-- at least that is what my DH says.  I decided that I didn't want to look at it so I haven't.  Poor little left boob.......  I had never heard of the type of cancer I have either but it is what it is and it is treatable.   Have a great weekend and take a short breather from the BC. 

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    Thanks . . . you too . . . and that is really good advice . . . "taking the break" I mean . . . you just brought a tear to my eye . . . thank you . . .

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited March 2012

    HUGS to you my friend.  I try to take a breather every day and for sure every evening at 9 pm.  Have to have my rest and sleep and breaks.  This BC journey is a labor of love--- love for myself, love for my family and friends and love for anyone I can help along the way.  So I've got to rest and give myself a break since I am working hard to move forward on this journey.  Enjoy your weekend...... hug that hubby.......

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for the advice about the valve. Feet first, huh? I hope the screw in my foot from my bunion surgery is titanium; it has only been since 12/11 that I had that surgery so way too soon to take it out. I'm not claustrophic but since I can't really sleep anyway these days, I'll ask for some medication.

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited March 2012

    IndigoMont11 - ug. Not sure about your foot "screw" . . . I literally dont' know but I do know that they asked me about 100 questions about whether there was any metal anywhere in my body . . . I had to take out my belly button ring  . . . despite it being very small . . . they talked about it screwing up the results . . . let me know how it goes!

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