MRI - Arthrogram

This week I played a lot of phone tag with Northside Hospital, and LaWanda the lady that schedules MRI's at Dr. Schrader's office. First of all, as I mentioned in the last post, Northside called ME and left a message. So i call them up on Monday ready to schedule my MRI-A and the lady on the phone says, "oh, there is an 'attention Dr.Lee' on this, I'll have to call you back." What!? Your the one that called me to make an appointment, shouldn't you have actually read the forms before calling me?? Anyway, the by the next day she still hasn't called me back. I called up and explained what happened yesterday and said I still need to make an appointment. She goes, "oh, I thought we did that yesterday?" !?!Were we in that same conversation yesterday? At what point did we schedule an appointment? So I say I would like my appointment for April 4th, as I'll be off for spring break and that's two months before my surgery, as Dr. Schrader suggested thats when I should get it done. She goes, "oh, well we don't have the calenders up for April yet, I'll have to check with my manager and call you back." OF COURSE! Meanwhile, I get a message from LaWanda saying that she went ahead and schedule me an appointment for an MRI February 17th! I was baffled! One, why did she make an appointment for me? Two, How did she know if I was available that day? and three, what about the 2 month rule Dr. Schrader gave me!? So, now I call LaWanda back, ask if it is okay to get the MRI-A that soon... of course, it is. :(

So now here I am, MRI-A on Thursday, and I don't know what to expect. I am scared of the dye and the big needle involved. I wish I was just getting a regular MRI :(

For those of you that don't know, an MRI arthrogram is two-part procedure, involving fluoroscopy and MRI. First, a special type of X-ray technology, called fluoroscopy, is used to take pictures of the joint after a contrast material has been injected into it. This allows the radiologist to see the soft tissue structure of the joint. The joint is then examined with MRI, a routine diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce 2- and 3- dimensional images of the body's organs, tissues and bones.

Now, just find someone to go with me... my mum and dad will be at work, and my sister might possibly be too... hope I'm not in this on my own : /

But in a way I am kinda of glad I'm getting it done early, I really want to know the nitty gritty of my hip. I know I most likely have a laberal tear, but who knows what else they'll find in there! I'll give you all the details as soon as I know myself!

Wish me luck!