Discover...

The MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) Scan is of critical importance detecting Multiple Sclerosis. At the X Ray department at UNITAS Hospital I once again had to fill in forms, initial and sign at all the right places. At the back of my mind I was getting extremely concerned what my medical bill will be after all this.

Waiting for approximately forty minutes it was now my turn to go for the MRI scans. In July 2008 I also went for a MRI scan, so therefore I knew what to expect.  I will tell you more about my full medical history in later posts.

The MRI scan takes “photo’s” of the human body. More specific in testing for MS, the MRI takes “photo’s” of the brain and the spinal cord. In testing for MS, the MRI scan actually does not use X-ray technology but rather magnetic radio waves and computer technology to produce a clear image of the brain and spinal cord.

After about forty-five minutes the scan was complete. Remember, the MRI scan is painless, but you need to understand that the MRI machine is not a claustrophobic’s friend. Part of the lists and forms that you will need to complete before your MRI scan is questions like, “do you have a pacemaker”? “Are you pregnant”?  Please follow the following link for excellent information about the MRI scans and a comprehensive list on what needs to be declared before the MRI scan. http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/diagnosing-ms-mri You will be asked to remove all jewelry and your clothes except your underwear and you will be given an unflattering gown to wear.

Laying flat on your back, your legs will be strapped in, over your neck they will place a device to ensure that you cant move your neck or head. Luckily, they also place a headset over your ears to protect your ears from the noise that the MRI machine makes. The best advice I can give anyone going for a MRI scan, is prepare yourself mentally for the process, remember that it is painless, close your eyes, ensure that you have a empty bladder, be friendly towards the radiologist. After forty-five to an hour the MRI will be over and your report will be ready in approximately forty minutes after the scan. Your Neurologist will receive a copy of this report and will either consult with you on the day of the MRI scan or the following day. In my case, I only got the diagnoses the following morning. 

Today's picture:

Discovery...

In December 2008 we travelled through Egypt. While we where in Luxor, I decided to take a hot air balloon trip over the Valley of the Kings. In the photo is another hot air balloon travelling over the valley.
 

December 2008
Luxor 

Egypt 

Looking in...

I eventually got referred to a Neurologist on Sunday afternoon 28 August 2011. On Tuesday 30 August I finally managed to get around scheduling an appointment with the Neurologist. The very first available time and date that the Doctor could see me was for Monday 5 September. 

I decided to put a day's leave in, to ensure that I have ample time to ask all the relevant questions that I do have for the Doctor and to be perfectly honest with you, to ensure that I do get my full R 630 worth of Doctors visit! Well, was I surprised? 

After the usual filling out of forms, writing out all the details necessary, putting down my signature, which is pretty much normal procedure, I meet my Doctor. What I absolutely loved was for the very first time in a very long time I got the idea that the Doctor are really interested in what I have to say. There were notes made, questions asked, more questions asked and tying to get me to answer in the best possible way. 


One thing that I did well before I had my appointment was, I made a full list of my medical history to present to the Doctor. This was extremely helpful for both myself and I would like to believe the Doctor as well. The benefit my list held for me was, that I did not forget to mention anything that could have been vital in my diagnosis. I will post my list very shortly on the MS Parachute blog for your reference.


After a thorough consultation where the Doctor also did various test on me, we decided that it will be in my best interest to go for a MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scan. In the next few days I will tell you more from my experience with the MRI scan and why the MRI scan plays such a vital role in detecting Multiple Sclerosis.

I trust you all had an extremely good weekend, and I would like to believe that the week ahead would also serve you well! 
Today's picture:

Overexposure...

This shot was taken at a wedding last year November. It was an outside open air wedding and very close to nature. The ceremony was held in the middle of a bit of a clearing amongst these beautiful trees. What I take out of this photo is that with just a little bit of creativity, you can get a complete different picture than initially intended for.

13 November 2010
Balfour
South Africa

Dot Dot Dot

Since this is my first post, I would like to warn any reader or follower that this might go a bit slow in the beginning.

Hi, my name is Richard Barry and I have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The news broke on Tuesday morning 6 September 2011. I think, well actually I know, this will be one of those defining moments in life, where you will always remember where you have been, who surrounded you, even in my case, the frantic search for a pen and paper to write down the details.

Yes, the news of finally getting a diagnosis shook my world, and just over a week later knowing what I know today, it still shakes my world. The reason for blogging about me and my condition is to make more people aware of MS and what to expect should you go through the same journey as I am.

Over the next few weeks, I will be writing about myself, my background, how we got to this stage and also a extremely truthful reflection of MS. This online diary is for myself and for once in my life I am going to be extremely selfish talking about my feelings, my expectations, my symptoms and my journey. But I do encourage you to walk with me through this journey and please feel free to contact me should you have some remarkable stories to share or any questions in general. I will try and answer as best to my possibility and if I cant, I will try and get the best answer for you.

Since MS is part of me and I am not part of MS, MS need to fit into my lifestyle and will not stand in the way of me being me. Therefore, this blog is going to be my online diary and also a very personal view of my life.

One of my passions in life is photography, and all photo's that will be posted on this blog is my own. I would try to always start or end my post with a picture that I took.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

Today's picture:

Faces of confusion...

I took this picture when we visited the Jewish museum in Berlin, June 2007. This picture have always been very close to me and always have been an unspoken truth about life. Even the metal faces is dead, it is loaded with emotion, and confusion.

June 2007
Berlin
Germany