Dark Ages II, The Reality Bomb
Claustrophobia is a killer! Prior to having the tumor removed. My neurologist scheduled me for a functional MRI, which means over 90 long minutes in an extra SMALL magnet tube to ensure better imagery. The image is not me, but the same set up. The fMRI is used to map activity regions of the brain. While in the magnet I was asked to perform specific menial tasks, which show in different regions of the brain, to ensure active regions are not touched during surgery.
Well, I went into magnet, but I was so nervous; scared and extremely uptight, I made it an astounding 24 minutes, before I was tapping out. They were determined to finish so they removed the cage from my face and told my to continue to lay still until I was ready to proceed. I laid as long as I could, but the longer I stayed frozen, the more the anxiety built. I was trembling and shaking so bad, the examiner stopped the test. They were "kind" enough to reschedule the fMRI for the 24th of June right before surgery.
Round 2 of the fMRI, I asked a dear friend for a blessing. During the blessing, I was promised peace of mind and comfort, and several personal promises. With the blessing fresh on my mind and a much needed light dose of Valium (It had to be very light, so as not to interfere with mental function during the test), I endured 90 minutes of the test. Once the test began, it seemed like 45 minutes instead of 90.
The results of the fMRI showed clear activity. The neurologist was very confident with the results.
June 26, 2019, less than a month after shoulder surgery, it was time to report for brain surgery. For a tumor resection. I endured all of the pre-operation tests and left the hospital with cheerios glued to my head, and was told to return in the morning for game time.
"This is a routine and quite simple procedure, as far as the brain goes. We will remove what we can, then do one or two radiation treatments while you are in the hospital, and you can go home in four or five days feeling great."
I woke up in the Neuro ICU, after three more MRIs, to a much different story. I was 100% paralyzed from the neck down on the right side of my body. I was informed they were able to remove 90% of the tumor, but somehow the brain was no longer showing activity in certain regions.
I thought being claustrophobic in small, tight spaces was rough. Being trapped in your own body with no ability to function on my own, not even able to roll over or sit up, gave a new definition to tight space.
Well, I went into magnet, but I was so nervous; scared and extremely uptight, I made it an astounding 24 minutes, before I was tapping out. They were determined to finish so they removed the cage from my face and told my to continue to lay still until I was ready to proceed. I laid as long as I could, but the longer I stayed frozen, the more the anxiety built. I was trembling and shaking so bad, the examiner stopped the test. They were "kind" enough to reschedule the fMRI for the 24th of June right before surgery.
Round 2 of the fMRI, I asked a dear friend for a blessing. During the blessing, I was promised peace of mind and comfort, and several personal promises. With the blessing fresh on my mind and a much needed light dose of Valium (It had to be very light, so as not to interfere with mental function during the test), I endured 90 minutes of the test. Once the test began, it seemed like 45 minutes instead of 90.
The results of the fMRI showed clear activity. The neurologist was very confident with the results.
June 26, 2019, less than a month after shoulder surgery, it was time to report for brain surgery. For a tumor resection. I endured all of the pre-operation tests and left the hospital with cheerios glued to my head, and was told to return in the morning for game time.
"This is a routine and quite simple procedure, as far as the brain goes. We will remove what we can, then do one or two radiation treatments while you are in the hospital, and you can go home in four or five days feeling great."
I woke up in the Neuro ICU, after three more MRIs, to a much different story. I was 100% paralyzed from the neck down on the right side of my body. I was informed they were able to remove 90% of the tumor, but somehow the brain was no longer showing activity in certain regions.
I thought being claustrophobic in small, tight spaces was rough. Being trapped in your own body with no ability to function on my own, not even able to roll over or sit up, gave a new definition to tight space.
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