After a wonderful 5 days in West Palm Beach, seeing gorgeous flowers and birds and the greenest of green, it is back to reality and back to the constant medical tests and follow up visits that are now a way of life for me. 

This winter in New England has been brutal with the coldest of cold temperatures and constant snow and ice. The degree of dismal can't be compared. The 5 days in Florida was a way to refresh and renew the spirit and to make new my resolution to stay healthy myself and to teach others how to stay safe in the sun.

The renewal began with an MRI with and without contrast of the pelvis. 

This test is accomplished after being strapped onto this narrow table and secured in place. An IV is started to be used halfway through the procedure to inject contrast dye to better visualize the area in question.

After being secured on the table with the IV in place, you are moved into the middle of the MRI machine. The fit is so tight that you couldn't move an inch if you tried. Because the machine is so noisy with different degrees of piercing sounds, ear plugs or headphones are a must. Once the pre-contrast views are taken, the contrast dye is injected IV and the same views are again filmed. There is a warm sensation throughout the body and a perfume taste in the mouth. Some patients experience nausea, I didn't thank God. The whole process took 1 hour and 15 minutes in this bullet like tomb.

Two days later, another MRI was done, with and without contrast, this time of the abdomen and the liver. This was done because of the liver toxicity and complications due to the Interferon. The same procedure was done a second time, identical to the first. I was curious as to why these tests couldn't be performed at the same time, the pelvis and abdomen pre-contrast, then injecting the contrast, and then the pelvis and abdomen post-contrast. I was told that the direction of the machine would not be correct or optimal for one of the tests necessitating the 2 separate days of testing.

The week was rounded off with a visit to the PCP and more blood work. You have to understand that my visits to physicians pre-melanoma diagnosis were only as absolutely necessary. I would have to be half dead to see a physician. The fact that I am an RN in private practice always served me well in times of illness as the physicians in our practice are always generous with their medical attention. So, the multiple tests and visits to many physicians on a regular basis now is a huge adjustment to make. 

It will be a long week waiting for the results of the MRIs. As much as I try to stay positive, I still find myself in a very dark place from time to time, always praying that melanoma doesn't show it's ugly face again, and praying for the strength if it does.