I had my MRI today and I managed to keep myself sane. The reason I say this is because I was in this claustrophobic machine for 50 minutes. I could not move for 50 minutes. That is not easy to do. Luckily, I don't mind small spaces but, I can see why some people need a sedative beforehand. 

Screech, BAM, and ping is all I heard the entire time. And let me tell you, ear plugs barely help. What's crazier is my lower back is hurting horribly now. It has to be from laying on that hard board with my knees propped up. Ugh, at least it's over. On to the next one..... 

The Surgical Coordinator for my Orthopedic surgeon emailed me all the dates and times of the tests that are required before my surgery. Besides the MRI appointment that I made for 07/26/13, there are 5 others. Here's the list:

• Pre-op testing at Tampa General Hospital 09/09/13
• Pre-op with my Orthopedic surgeon to review MRI and xrays 09/17/13
• Pre-op clearance with my regular Physician
• DAY OF SPINAL FUSION SURGERY 10/03/13
• Post-op after 4 weeks

We're in countdown mode......

I set the appointment for the MRI that the doctor needed to perform my Spinal Fusion surgery. He requested the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar (basically my entire back) to be the main focus in the image. The doctor wants me to bend over like I am reaching for something in this MRI. Different way of doing it.... maybe it allows the doctor to see where all my nerves run and how my discs lay. Just a hypothesis...