Right now, I am working with 6 women who are either having a routine MRI this week or have a husband who is having one; MRI’s ordered with the sole purpose of checking on the stability of their brain cancer. I can just about hear the “sigh of relief” that is experienced when one’s brain tumor specialist or neuro-oncologist shows them the MRI film and states, “all looks good. No new tumor growth”. Having personally been in that NO’s room several times before, I still get that nervous feeling when a patient or a caregiver with the Chris Elliott Fund tells me “it’s that time again for my routine MRI. Please pray that it is clear……”.
I wanted to acknowledge this feeling of fear experienced by both the patient and the caregiver or family member during this time because I know it is very real. The days leading up to a routine MRI to determine if there is new growth or not has often times been described as a “roller coaster”. It is indeed. The reference to “roller coaster” refers to the feelings that one experiences the week or so before the MRI. One moment, you are confident that all is going to be ok, that there will be no new growth and the next minute you are terrified, wondering if this MRI could likely reveal tumor growth. I want to tell all of you reading this post that this is SO REAL and SO NORMAL. It is very stressful. I remember because I was scared too. Just prior to my late husband’s routine MRI’s, we often didn’t get along the best we could have because both of us were simply scared to death. I do wish I had some great advice here……
I would like to open this up for discussion and would welcome your input because I’d love to be able to create an Educational Piece, perhaps a FACT SHEET that speaks directly to this subject. I encourage those of you reading this to please step in and share your thoughts on this subject especially if you have “tips” on how to cope during this time as either a patient or as a caregiver. I do know how important helpful advice on this subject would be to others. Please feel free to reply here or email me directly at Dellann@ChrisElliottFund.org to share your thoughts.
Thinking of all of you this week who are having your routine MRI’s and praying for clear results as I know this leads to a breath of “relief” and a trip back to enjoying your routine and your loved ones.
Blessings,
Dellann