Surprisingly, no pre-scan jitters this time

Surviving
Written By Liz Salmi
PHOTO: In exam room reading materials

PHOTO: In exam room reading materials

My next MRI is sneaking up on me... I am having an intense work-up on Tuesday (April 17). I will be seeing the *new* neuro-oncologist here in Sacramento for the second time... and this is the first time with an accompanying MRI.

I was seeing the neuro-oncology team in south San Francisco since 2008, but Kaiser finally hired a badass doctor in my home town. This is going to be convenient, but I am really going to miss Super Awesome Nurse. I still have her cell number and email address; she can't shake me loose. (And we're friends on Facebook. )

The new doctor, Dr. L., asked if I would be OK having one of those super long MRIs... the kind that last for over an hour... to set a baseline for him. Since I am a big fan of scans and medical procedures I said, "Hell yeah!" He already thinks I am crazy.

So yes... Tuesday it is. Big long scan. New doctor to scrutinize my medical history. Should be interesting.

And if I don't like him? I'll go back to south San Francisco. It's as simple as that.

Viva la patient empowerment.

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
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