First MRI😬

[Pinkpanzie]

My CT shows an 8mm possible met in the liver so MRI ordered. Anyone have an MRI that showed lots of surprises not seen with CT? I am an MRI virgin and I am stressed.

[Hidden]

Postive Vibes for u during your MRI!❤🙏🏼

[Pinkpanzie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!🤞🏻

[Hidden in reply to Pinkpanzie]

Yw!🙏🏼❤🌹

[BluHydrangea]

My experience with MRI’s is that they show more detail than CT scans. That’s a good thing— hopefully they will see that the area of concern is nothing! Good luck! Keep us informed!sending best wishes for your tests!❤️

[Discocat]

Hi Pinkpanzie,

In my case the MRI was a positive experience that showed no current met progression apart from the bone ones that showed up on the CT and bone scan.

I found it reassuring to look at footage of people having MRIs before, to get an idea of what it would be like…as the two I had at the start of my diagnosis were my first also.

They give you headphones to wear and can play any music that you like…it helps to muffle the clanking machine sounds. Focus on your breathing and imagine yourself somewhere relaxing and happy like a holiday or a walk in nature.

Try not to worry about the process or the results. Try to think of it all being part of a bigger plan. Any information gathered is going to help to get you the best possible treatment by giving your team a clearer picture.

We are in this for the long haul!

So scans be damned! If we need to get them done from time to time so be it. I plan to rack up as many as possible!😃👍

Stay positive,

Best wishes

Zoe x

[Nocillo]

Good luck to you! They should get a good picture of what’s going on. I try to pretend I’m in a spa with cucumbers on my eyes during scans and MRIs.

[Ntash01]

I was petrified my first time, water works and everything - feeling very sorry for myself! My onc even said to me if I don’t get on well with MRIs we will find something else, but now after 7 sessions it’s ok. I occupy my thoughts with the music I request and close my eyes for the whole hour - this helps me a lot. I’m scared I will panic if I open my eyes.

I just had one on Saturday & results Friday (my fingers & toes are crossed for stable) Good luck, it’s for a good cause

N x

[AvidBooklover]

I agree with many comments above. I have long thought the MRI clanging would make one terrible rock song! I confess that I try to sleep through MRI and PET/CT scans whenever I can.

Here is to good results!

[Hazelgreen]

I had an MRI focused on my liver last April. The report gave good detail about the size of the mets in the liver, and made very few other comments except to say that other internal organs were "unremarkable". Since my liver enzymes remain in the normal range, I've yet to go on specific treatment for the liver.

An 8mm liver met seems fairly small. The largest of mine now measure over 2 cm. The liver is said to be the largest organ in the human body, and it apparently regenerates itself if volume is lost. I think it is good to gather as much information as I can as to what is happening inside my body so I much appreciate all types of scans.

Warmest wishes that you too will appreciate knowing how your body is reacting.

Cindy

[urthmothr]

I would rather know, than not know. An MRI might have saved my life, when I first had symptoms of cancer in my nipple and none of the other scans could pinpoint the ductal cancer in my breast. It was so spread within the breast tissue, I had a simple mastectomy. It was 2 years before it cropped up again in a lymph node by my collar bone, and I started chemo. I sometimes wonder whether we would have caught the spread sooner, if I had periodic scans after the mastectomy.

[Figletf in reply to urthmothr]

I often wonder the same thing😞I had a dual mastectomy but only was treated with Anastrozole.No scans! After nearly two years on Anastrozole I became nauseous whenever I ate and FINALLY had the scan which showed liver and bone metastasis 😩

[urthmothr in reply to Figletf]

I just have to remember 2 things: Even doctors can be wrong, and it might not have made any difference. Either it wouldn't show up (I had that problem with other scans), or early detection still wouldn't be soon enough to prevent the spread.😔

[Debbigbang]

I have had them all. MRI shows a bit more than a CT scan. PET scan shows more than that. I am surprise this is your first MRI. Onocologist usually want an MRI, PET and bone scan. With all of those they can get a full picture of what your body looks like and if or any tumor spread. CT scans every 3 mths are just to make sure things are all stabilized. I am praying for that day with my liver, just trying to find the correct meds that will make that happen.

I have to say I'm a scan anxiety person, I'm working on it. But really it's good to know the story..good and bad.

I know I am so grateful to have the best medical team of nurses, techs, family Dr and onocologyst looking out for you. All I need to do is focus on positivity, gratitude and healing.

Best of luck with your MRI ❤🙏

[urthmothr in reply to Debbigbang]

I have CT scans and NUC bone scans on a regular basis. For some reason, our hospital prefers not to do an MRI unless they have to - cost or insurance issues? I don't think safety is an issue when dealing with MBC.

[8576]

8 mm. is not large. It is not even 1 cm. so don't worry. Your oncologist is being careful and that is a good thing. I had a 10mm. node in my chest and was told not to worry. As to the MRI everyone deals with it differently. I find singing my favourite song over in my head 3 times puts in the hour. And of course closing my eyes.

Cheers, June S.

[urthmothr in reply to 8576]

I haven't had an MRI for 2 years, but with either the CT or the NUC scan, they play music of my choice!

[Ursula_I]

Hi, you will be fine!

The MRI shows more detail which is a good thing. For example, I had an MRI of my head and neck after a CT showed something suspicious on my brain. The MRI confirmed it was benign and nothing to worry about!

Knowledge is power!

All the best to you

Lucy

[Aquamoron]

Scanxiety is a real thing. Be good to yourself Pinkpanzie. Sending you good mojo for your MRI.

[PJBinMI]

I've been dealing with MBC, bone mets only til last few months, and have tried to learn all I can about MBC, BC, treatment, side effects, coping...... The only thing others have mentioned here that I disagree with is wearing earphones. I've never had that option and have rarely heard anything about it. Often the scans our oncs order depend on what they want to know more about. Some people have a hard time with the small space inside the MRI machine. I'd heard that quite a few times before I had my first MRI. When I opened my eyes after entering the machine, I waas surprised by how much room there was there, LOL.One of the things that's helped me cope with more tests is thinking that I do want anything that we need to know to show up so we can deal with it. Also, my onc went on several wild goose chases based on scan reports and we ended up deciding that some radiologists are so concerned about missing something that they find things that aren't there! Time with this crazy cancer helps most of us relax about tests and results.

[Aquadog]

My understanding is that MRIs give greater detail, so if there's something suspicious in a CT or x-ray, they will schedule an MRI to get better information. I've had plenty MRIs and my best friend going in is my washcloth that I bring from home and put over my eyes. That way when my stupid brain whispers, "Just take a peek!!" I can open my eyes and see nothing but my lovely washcloth. Also, they now have wide-bore MRIs (still a tube but wider) but I don't believe they're everywhere yet. At any rate, good luck with your scan!

[cancersucks2]

Hi Pinkpanzie, First keep your eyes closed all the time while in the MRI. Like everyone is saying go with the flow they have amazing drugs for us to sustain life longer. You have no control over this disease. Meditate and accept it. Read the blogs there are lots of strong women who have survived well over 5 years which is amazing. Live your life don’t let this disease control you !! Stay strong 🙏. Jane

[atoth17]

Yes! I also agree that MRI gives more information than CT. In my experience, the CT showed more “stuff” and the MRI was able to pick up what was actually cancer and not just random non-cancer stuff. I don’t mind MRIs, I just pretend I’m there for a long (loud?) nap. Hugs to you 🌸

[Tam-56]

I had my first brain MRI last summer. I am claustrophobic and was very anxious. The ladies on this board put my mink at ease.

The anticipation was worse than the reality. The MRI machine had a film of an aquarium to look at and music to listen to as well during the MRI.

But even without these aids it wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. Try not to worry; let the professionals do their good work and try to relax. My brain scan was normal which was quite a relief.

Sending a virtual hug.

Maura❤️

[Laskia]

I have to have MRIs occasionally to see if there is any pressure on the spinal cord. It's very boring and very noisy, but amazingly, I usually fall asleep in there!