It’s been four years since my last re-check of the remnants of Norman, and I looked forward to this day the same as I look forward to every other re-scan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(If you’ve just joined us, ten years ago I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma, and the treatment, a retrosigmoid crainiotomy — brain surgery, if you will — resulted in hearing loss and balance issues that I still deal with, and always will. I’m not complaining, it could have been way worse.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Except that this time was in the midst of a pandemic. I expected many things might be different, and they were. From the light-but-speedy traffic from Bellingham to Seattle that cut at least 30 minutes from our commute each way, to the pre-screened\/social distanced\/face mask required check in and limited seating in each waiting room, it was comfortable and low on stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought they would test us for COVD-19 (they didn’t) or that maybe they would take our temperature (nope.) As it turned out I didn’t have to wear my mask while getting the MRI because mine had a little piece of wire in it, and the techs were fine with me taking it off, and we were ready a good 30 minutes before I went into the meeting with Dr. Wonderful and his ARNP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ll make this short and sweet. The residual tumor is stable, and has been since 2010. Dr. Farrohki says I am good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good. To. Go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless something changes, I NEVER have to have another MRI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEVER, EVER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As much as my experience with Seattle’s Virginia Mason Hospital facility and its staff was amazing and wonderful, I hope I never have to step foot into that place again as a patient.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s been four years since my last re-check of the remnants of Norman, and I looked forward to this day the same as I look forward to every other re-scan. (If you’ve just joined us, ten years ago I was … Continue reading