5 /5 Mister E Diamond: Dark and early it was when I arrived at the Olivewood location before my 6:25 a.m. appointment Sunday. The familiar building was open and well lit as I entered and checked in. Waiting was rather boring since there were only a couple other patients at that hour, and I was the last to be taken back to the changing rooms. The couple before me and a lone person, like myself, were being "scanned", I presume, with by MRI. When I was being interviewed by the very nice lady I signed the forms. Then I put the gown on over my socks and shoes, stored my valueables in the locker and chose a simple code. After waiting a while ( long enough to use the restroom, hint ) I was taken to the machine that would make pictures in 3d of my shoulder, that was injured also during the car crash I had 5years ago. Here, in the room just before laying down on the table, I took off my glasses, barely remembered to take off my spring Steel hair band ( I have long hair) and jewelery. Now, I was prepared with yellow foam earplugs, which were readied by V. as she made them tiny to put in my ears. Then, I lay down to be secured and protected by a face shield for the thirty-five plus minutes noisy ride in the magnetic tube. Be warned, after around ten minutes the noises paused and the table moved outward. But, WAIT! Im not done yet! This would happen a few more times where there would be a pause and the table would move a little bit and, the machine would get noisy again. Until finally the ride was over and i left the park.
Because, I already live near Castle Park, I decided to come back to this place at 5:50 a.m. on New Years day, ummm, April 1. This time I left my wire hair band in my bag, along with my jewelry. They can test your jewelry to see if it is acceptable if you cannot remove it. And, I waited for the place/park to open. I was soon seen and waited a short while to be taken to the changing room. Once changed, I forgot something or other in my bag that was secured in the "choose your own 4-digit combination" locker. I entered the wrong cod too many times and I had to have it opened by staff. After recoding and locking the cabinet I was led to the familiar machine that would take me on a noisy and weird trip. I had to lay down off-center of the table so my shoulder could be centered for the scanning. With escape switch in hand, I was eaten by the MRI machines tube and thoroughly chewed up by its whirling mouth. Its much easier to just close my eyes and rest, so thats what I did. Keeping focus and mindfullness as to how deeply I inhaled and its depth, my breathing was always controlled by my mind that was resting imagining the experience as how Im describing it. Buzzing, beeps, clacks, and a myriad of Loud Noises and sounds bombarded my senses for the next half hour or nearly so. Starts and Stops of sounds also meant the table I was lying atop would slide me outward and back inward several times as well. Be aware of this part of the ride so you know to STAY STILL, The Ride Is NOT Over!!! And when you think it is because the technician lady is there to help you exit the table, its not... So, back in to the belly of the beast for further cooking. Then it happened all over again, scanning a different part of my body. With all the stop and gos, blaring and clacking. Another ride under my belt done.
