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Good news!

Since “graduating” from radiation therapy last January, I’ve had to go back to UCLA for an MRI and follow-up with the radiation oncologist every six months.  I had my original MRI in June 2003, and since then I’ve had at least 20 MRIs (follow up from the original surgery, surrounding the second surgery and follow up from that one), so I’m getting pretty used to the claustrophobic tube and crazy banging and whirring.  I usually even fall asleep for part of it. Last week I spent nearly two hours in the MRI tube (20 minutes of sleep, 40 minutes of quiet contemplation, 60 minutes of restlessness) and today was my appointment with the doctor to get the results.

Today I got double good news!

First, the MRI didn’t show any change (compared to the post-surgery MRI in September 2010) – meaning that there are no new growths and the one potentially suspicious area that showed up on pre-surgery MRIs hasn’t grown either.  And second, I’m now on an annual check-up schedule, so I shouldn’t have to have another MRI until the summer of 2013.  Yippee!!

I went to UCLA directly from my usual Tuesday morning run at Temescal and the only thing that startled the PA was when she looked at my ankles, calves and shins and saw the caked on dust and dirt.  I think she thought it was a skin problem!  Nope, just a running “problem”.

Also, in case you’re curious, my blood pressure is 111/64 and my weight is 159 lbs.

(As a side note, I’m still amazed by the images an MRI shows and I still have no idea how the MRI really works.  Wikipedia, my usual go-to, is too complicated for me.  I’d love a plain-English explanation of how in the world, it’s able to capture images from all sides and perspectives, including the cross-section ones looking down my spinal column.)