How do you prepare for a check-up MRI?

My Mom was diagnosed with a Grade II tumor in her left temporal lobe in 01/09. After a full resection in 04/09 it was found that the tumor was actually a grade IV GBM. She has been through radiation and is on Temodar and Avastin. She has had two clean MRI's and doesn't have another one until the end of November. I am already dreading it! What do you do to prepare yourself for the incredible stress of an MRI that has to happen every two months? Who out there has had the experience of hearing about a reoccurance? What did you do?

It is so difficult...I am waiting, and to be honest, agonizing, waiting to hear ther results of my husband's MRI from yesterday. His MRI's have been looking good since his diagnosis in Oct-08.   We used to get results the same day, and now for the past two, we've had to wait until the next day. I think it may be because they have more images to compare it to. I don't know.  This morning, as I wait, I am trying to take deep breaths, I'm not pressuring myself to do anything else, other than sit and drink my coffee and read things on the internet... some brain cancer related, some not.  Busy work also helps.  When I'm ready to jump out of my skin, I sometimes clean (my kitchen counters have probably been wiped down 10 times today....)     Most of all, keep trying to think positively.   And, whatever will be, it will be, and just as we have all handled the initial diagnosis and treatment, we will handle whatever comes along in the future, too, including recurrence.    I don't think this can be described as anything other than a roller coaster.  Somehow, some way, we will find the strength.  Hugs, and good luck to you and your mom. 

Hi there...we've have two years of MRI waits for my hubby's tests...and finally getting more "sure" of ourselves.  Someone gave me great advice early on.  He said, "Imagine you're putting the problem (worry) in a bundle and setting it in God's lap for safe-keeping.  Ask Him to carry it for you and mentally step away.  I had to practice a bit, but it really works.  We just let go of the outcome until we hear otherwise.

I hope this helps...it really makes it easier.

I found something that said dont talk about MRI's until a day or 2 before the appoinments it helps with the anxiety of waiting and wondering..I just received the news myself that there is a 2.5 mm growth, on what they were calling stabile disease 10 months the size in total 1 1/2cm ..I rock alot thinking about it xanax nightly thats how I dealt with the news so far,my son is healthy and has none, zero sympthoms..Our appointment is the 20th to break the news to him..I'm finding waiting for his reaction harder to take the the actual news that it has grown.. 

 

Best to you both! Diana

My son Chris dx gbm 11/08

This is indeed a rollercoaster. This may not be the life any of us ever thought we would be living yet here we are -- have to remember the gifts and blessings.

My husband was dx in February of this year.  I try not to think about the MRI until we are heading up to Duke. I also do NOT tell anyone when he is scheduled for one. I find that when people know they ask too many questions and the thought of having to get back to anyone with a report makes me crazy.  I also visualize (weird, huh?) the doctor coming in and saying something positive -- everything looks stable.  That helps me a lot. My husband just pops a Xanax to get through it :-).

I've had about 12 of them.  Have one next week.  I tend to be sedated from the time I hit the MRI office until I'm in the NO's office a couple of hours later.

Seriously, It is a very sad time for me.  It is hard to describe what it is like living from MRI to MRI.  For instance, I start looking at this board about two week before the MRI after not thinking about it for weeks.  I was delaying some travel plans next week until after the results, but decided that was stupid and made the reservations. 

Good luck.

Larry