21st MRI

Travis rocked his MRI on the 19th, he completed this one also without sedation. :) This marked Travis' 21st MRI and the first one since completing the Peg-interferon clinical trial.  When switching from sedated to non-sedated MRIs, the MRI department schedules the first attempts in a sedated slot (including fasting) just in case the patients require sedation. This takes the pressure of "having" to do the scan non-sedated, probably works better for the patients and families. We brought "Turbo" from home, not remembering if the MRI department movie selection included his choice.

I Know a Fighter

The nurse assigned to Travis felt it would be best to start the IV only if Travis needed sedation. In preparing for this MRI, we talked to Travis about holding still again in the MRI machine. Travis quickly realized and commented, "If I don't move, I don't get a poke?" We said correct and he smiled...he knew his task for the MRI. We told Travis he would earn a donut for holding still during the MRI even without a poke, he still needed breakfast after the MRI. He got on the bed and worked the last few wiggles out before going into the MRI room.

Getting the final wiggles out 

Already watching "Turbo"

They placed medical tape lightly around his feet (socks on) to keep his legs in position and probably a reminder to not wiggle. I wonder how many times during the movie he chanted to himself something along the lines of ...don't move, no poke. He held still during the scans that lasted around an hour. So proud of him!

Thumbs up for completing 2nd non-sedated MRI and 21st MRI overall

The nurses brought out the prize box since he did great during the MRI and hunted down a car for his prize, none in the prize box. They also loaded him up with his traditional post-MRI Oreos. :) After eating a donut for breakfast, he headed to school for the rest of the day.

Post-MRI Oreos

I spoke with Dr. Viskochil regarding the MRI results 2 days later. The local radiologist, not the Travis-type tumor specialist, indicated no significant changes, but he also commented the rod creates difficulty in looking at the images. As before, the volumetric analysis provides a better answer of the tumor growth, that doctor returns from vacation in June. Dr. Viskochil commented he thought the leg tumor looked like it may have increased and the thigh being larger. This could be due to Travis' leg being shorter and the tumor occupying the same volume in a smaller space. Travis sees Dr. Viskochil in June, so that visit may provide a better clue...plus the volumetric data.

Thank you for the generous amounts of thoughts and prayers.