My experience with the Aurora Breast MRI machine

Not painful, but VERY odd.  This breast MRI was needed to see the extent of cancer that can't be seen with a regular mammogram.  The Aurora Breast MRI system is the only MRI designed specifically for breast imaging.  Currently, there are only two available in the Dallas area - Dr J. has one and there is one located at the hospital were Dr. M practices.  Dr. M ordered the MRI, so I went to her location yesterday afternoon to have it done.

My daughter T went with me, which was great because I was somewhat nervous - mainly because of the unknown.  I had to get an IV for two reason, 1 - to have a line on me in case "something went wrong" and 2 - for them to add the contrast (dye) into my system which helps them see what they need to see.

OK, the IV.... needle was no joke!  I closed my eyes and turned my head.  The lady, said "are you OK?"  I swallowed hard and said "uh huh".  I have very tiny veins - this could be a problem going forward.  She tapped my arms and had me squeeze a tiny basketball for what seemed like hours, but was really only a few minutes.  After locating a vein in my right arm she inserted the IV - ouch!

Next I had to board the Aurora.  Basically, its face down ass up!  Your forehead and chin rest on cushions, your boobies have to hang through two holes while your arms are extended forward - THIS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK! The technician told me that the machine is very loud so they put headphones on patients and play the music of their choice.  She really didn't have what I wanted to listen to, so I picked 70's R&B.  She advised that there would be 4-5 45 second scans and a 5 minute scan.  After the 5 minute scan she would bring me out and insert the contrast and do 2 more 5 minute scans.

So the tech gives me more instructions like - don't move, don't raise your head, don't take deep breathes and breath normally and then gave me a ball to squeeze if I felt any discomfort or needed her to stop the scans. She said "here we go!" Like I was at the fair on a ride or some shit! and pushed me into the "tunnel".  She turned on the loud ass 70's R&B music and started speaking to me - I could hear her voice through the headphones.  She said, "you doing OK?"  "the first scan will start in a few minutes"

OMG - this machine was SO INCREDIBLY LOUD!  When it started, it actually scared me, and my heart started beating really fast. I wanted to squeeze that damn ball immediately!  The sound of the machine totally over powered the music. After the first scan she said "are you OK?"  "Is the music loud enough?"  I said "you can turn it up, and turn the machine down - lol"   The scans went on forever, I noticed that my arms started getting stiff, so I was really wishing it would be over soon.  When she inserted the contrast she said, "you might get a metallic taste and smell in your mouth or nose" and that it was normal.  I didn't get either, so that was good.

Overall, it wasn't a bad experience limited pain associated with it.  Mainly just uncomfortable and loud as hell. I'm happy that this advanced technology was available to me, it can only help.   Dr. M will review the images and contact me with next steps.