T's MRI Day

Another regular MRI for Travis today, his 7th one in Salt Lake City and 9th overall.  He understands that MRI mornings bring a non-traditional breakfast, usually clear liquids.  We arrived at MRI check-in and then T realized he would receive a "big poke", he wanted a "little poke" when they do blood draws at the lab.  Previous visits he's been bummed to need an IV, this time was different.

Travis knew what was coming and didn't want to have to be a part of it at all, nor any part of the process leading up to the IV.  They brought in a Child Life Specialist and she helped Travis through the anxiety of the IV.  She brought in a kit and T was able to give kitty (stuffed animal he received for Valentine's) an IV.  Travis wanted kitty to have her IV until her pictures (MRI images) were done too.  She also found the "Cars 2" DVD for T to watch, we needed a long movie with today's wait.  We are thankful for this introduction to a Child Life Specialist in the MRI department.

One of T's concerns, actually the concern of most anyone getting an IV, is the pain of the "big poke".  The IV team uses a J-tip, a quick numbing medicine they put on before the IV.  The Child Life Specialist explained that this tube is NOT a poke, but wind and cold air that comes out when it "pops".  T was a little leery of the "rocket ship" device, but it really helped.  When it came time for the IV to be placed, T didn't flinch when the needle went into his skin.  He watched the movie and the IV at times, but all went well.

This was a day of several firsts for us at the MRI department in SLC...the Child Life Specialist, the J-tip, and a nearly 2 hour delay.  Call it Friday the 13th or what you want, but the schedule was delayed.  Typically when we arrive at 11a for the MRI, T is usually sedated around noon and then into the machine for ~1 hour.  They were ready to sedate T shortly before 2p, luckily he got to watch all of "Cars 2" and 2 small features while playing with cars.  He was starting to get hungry, so it was nice that it was T's turn to go into the machine.

As usual, T did great during the MRI and he woke up pretty easily today.  He downed 8 cookies, drank some water, and we were out of there to go get his doughnut.  ;)  We picked up the copies of his MRI on CD to take one to the research coordinator to send to the National Cancer Institute for their volumetric analysis.  This analysis will give us the amount of tumor growth since January and the removal from the trial.  T stayed up most of the rest of the afternoon and evening and had fun chilling, watching movies, as it should be on a day like today.

Now the clock starts for MRI results and volumetric analysis waiting games, as well as the emotional roller coaster of regular appointments.  Personally, this MRI was one of the harder ones emotionally and MRI days are difficult.  The emotions are not so much from the MRI today, but the unknown of the answers from today's MRI and where our lives will head from here.  For me the completion of T's MRI brings forward the uncertainty of the plexiform/tumor growth rate and the future medical direction for T.  The volumetric analysis results could be available as early as this week or take several weeks.  Distractions are good and helpful to pass the time.

T has a regular orthopedic appointment at the beginning of May and we will also see how his bone structure looks at that point in time.  T had another 1 cm added to his shoe lift on Monday, he's now up to ~6 cm of lift.  Hats off to T for walking and maneuvering with that shoe.  We saw warm weather this week and T was able to wear shorts.  His left leg angles out different than what I remember from the last time he wore shorts, but that could be due to several factors:  growth spurt, change in shoe lift amount, hinged brace, worsening of the knee angle, or simply not remembering what everything looked like ~6 months ago.  Thus begins the emotional uncertainty roller coaster.

We appreciate all the prayers and support for Travis and our family.  He continues to be brave while enduring things most kids (and adults) don't have to endure.