I have my films!

[cjsmith]

I picked up my copies of the MRI films today. (That cost 45 minutes in return traffic. Ouch. The trip out there only took fifteen!)

Naturally, as I am not trained to read them, they make no sense at all.

There are bits that light up beautifully after contrast injection. I know neuromas can do that. Maybe other, completely harmless stuff does too. Heck, for all I know those spots are the little aliens infesting my feet.

The films are, however, wonderfully medical-geeky, and I plan to make my doctor point out all sorts of stuff on them. I also hope to get a good icon out of 'em! 8-)

Comments

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

When will the doctor be looking at them?

I've had the technician show me my mamograms after they've been taken. I can tell that they came out and are the right part of the body, but beyond that...it's for the experts.

[rampling.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, when?

So glad you got 'em -- and I look forward to a pretty geeky foot MRI icon!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I will hear from the doc's office when she gets her copies. I got mine first 'cause I was willing to drive down and pick them up! 8-)

Yeah, I want an icon! I think I need a really big flatbed scanner, perhaps with light behind the film.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Soon, I hope! She hasn't got her copies yet -- those were shipped, of course -- so her office will call when those arrive and I'll get an appointment.

Yeah, I couldn't make out a thing on my mammos either. They were vaguely boob-shaped and that was about it! At least with feet there are bones. I'm stunned at my perceptiveness: I can identify bones! :-)

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

I remember being very worried when my thyroid biopsy was being shipped to Sloan Kettering to be looked at. It wasn't something I could make a copy of for my files - I was reassured when it arrived.

Keeping copies of your medical records isn't a bad thing. I don't have my thyroid scans, but do have the blood test results.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Huh - I didn't worry about my skin biopsy, but then I guess I've never had a sample (eg blood drawn) lost anywhere. I do want to keep better copies of all the things that can be copied, though. I haven't been good about that in the past.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

as I am not trained to read them, they make no sense at all

So what? You have them. :-)

If you get an LJ icon, I will be truly envious that I never had my general surgeon videotape my hernia repair. Or more fun, I could have had my urologist videotape my vasectomy. :-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

So what? You have them.

Well said! That's the important part! 8-)

Oh man. Now I want an icon of my abdominal surgery.

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

Icon! Icon!

All I got from my knee arthoscopy was a couple of color prints ... a friend of mine got her whole videotape. I was so envious! Now I can't even find the prints. :-(

There was a good article in the Baltimore Sun (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/chi-0506220025jun22,1,4896848.story) a couple of weeks ago about foot problems and shoes. The article is probably worth futzing with bugmenot (http://bugmenot.com), but if you don't want to, here's the part that was specifically about neuromas:

Neuromas: A thickening of the nerve tissue, neuromas usually occur at the base of the outer toes, or metatarsal area, but also can occur in other areas. Symptoms include tingling, burning pain and numbness. There is a threat of permanent nerve damage.

What not to wear: Shoes with a tight toe box or high-heel shoes that force the foot into the toe box are a major risk factor for neuroma, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Wider shoes and low heels may relieve symptoms.

You probably already know all that, but I wanted to pass it on, just in case.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Icon soon!

Yes, I know about the shoe thing. My feet are wide enough that there are no shoes that fit. No surprise I have neuromas.