31 December 2014

Off to Warrnambool for an MRI.

I was quite looking forward to this, hoping for some answers to the pain I’d been experiencing in my hips and lower back. It had begun some 3 months earlier, beginning in the left hip. An x-ray showed nothing of substance so I forged along with back-strengthening exercises – to no avail, as my lower back and right hip joined the party with further pain and inability to weight bear, climaxing in an inability to move, on Christmas Day (I had to let go of pride and call an  ambulance and then had a hospital stay for several days.)

While the pain was certainly disabling, I had no undue concerns.

After all – back pain?

·         Years of having a dodgy back from time to time? Tick

·         A period of moving furniture 3 months ago to prepare for painting? Tick

·         Extra gardening and household work for family member shifting house? Tick

                      

So off to Warrnambool on 31 December.

I was somewhat concerned how I would manage getting in and out of our vehicle – but then, my dear mother who died recently at the age of 95 years could do it, so for goodness sake why couldn’t I! Anyway I managed the 2 hour procedure with my usual careful movement (and the assistance of my recent aid – a trusty wheelie walker).

As we left we were informed that, because of public holidays, it would take 2 days to get the results back. No problems.

Well we hadn’t even left Warrnambool before my mobile rang.

It was my GP. Huh?

“Lorraine I’m so terribly sorry to have to tell you this...”

“No, don’t tell me anything, can I make an appointment to see you when we return to Portland?”

“Just come in anytime, no appointment needed, I’ll put you in as soon as you arrive.” Uh oh

And indeed that’s what happened.

The next conversation was life-changing. Words floated around like “metastatic”, “bone cancer”, “lower spine and left iliac wing” (who knew there was such a thing), and “lesions” not to mention a lengthy list of medications, few of which I could pronounce let alone spell.  

To say that Brian and I were stunned is a complete understatement.

Before we left I had the presence of mind to ask my lovely GP – “now can you please write this down for me!”

I’m so thankful I did!