I started out by ending my eating at 8am and I had to be at the hospital for 9:30am. I arrived with mama in tow to keep me company. I was processed through and had to put on a gown and housecoat(boo for hospital garb!). Then we were moved to a bed where the real fun began.
Peglyte. Oh how I loathe thee.
It tastes like chalk that has artificial fruit flavouring but it can't decide if it wants to be bubblegum.... If that makes sense. The weirdest part is that it has a chalky texture but looks clear like water. Hmmm..... And did I mention that you have to drink an 8 oz. cup of it every 15 minutes for an hour?!?! That's 32 oz.!!!! Phew....
Needless to say I got down the first cup and half of the second cup before Little Crohnsie Bit(CB) started acting up. She had 3 "little fits" and all I wanted to do was keep up with my drinking. I slowly started to fall behind further. And further. And further. Until finally it was an hour past and they were coming to get me and I had only had two and a half cups down and couldn't get out of the bathroom. When I finally get back to my bed I take a look at the unholy bottle and read "Gastrointestinal Lavage Preparation and Laxative".
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I didn't sign up for this!!!!
No wonder everything I just ate over the last week made a reappearance! I didn't have this kind of reaction last time I did this! (December 2011).
After getting calmed down a bit the MRI Tech. comes to get me and takes me to a different area to prep for the test when I tell her I don't yet have an IV because I've been stuck in the bathroom. So back to the other bed area I go.
I get an IV, go back to the prep area, go to the washroom again, then make the trek to the MRI machine. It's in a new part of the hospital so they're still getting the layout down right.
When I get into the room it's cold. I'm not sure if it's actually cold or if it's me (remember I'm wearing a hospital gown). She has me lay on the table on my stomach and put my arms straight up above my head. Then her and another Tech. put a bunch of equipment on my back, heavy equipment that helps with the pictures. Then I get some fancy dancy headphones A) Because it's extremely loud when the magnets get going and B) so I can hear the Tech. speak to me and when I need to hold my breath.
Ten minutes later I'm being squeezed into the machine.
And that's pretty much it. I laid there for an hour, intermittently holding my breath when told to through the headphones, sometimes holding air in, sometimes keeping it out. All the while they are pumping dyes and contrast and meds to slow down my bowels into my IV.
When I got out let me tell you! I had such a stiff neck! And still do 8 hours later! Laying in the same position for an hour with your head cocked to the right sucks!
I got my IV out, got changed, got my parking validated (YES!) and headed home.
It wasn't that bad, just wish Lil' CB would stop revolting though....
