Dakota's MRI

Today is April Fool's Day...haven't played too many tricks...been a busy one.  Dakota went in for a follow-up MRI at Primary Children's Medical Center (Riverton) this morning.  Because her tumor seemed to stabilize at her last MRI, they let her go a whole year between that scan and today's scan.  She was getting them every 6 months before.  I believe this is her 7th MRI to date.  She's a pro and, for some reason, still looks forward to her MRI's and doctor visits.

She had to fast going into this, in prep for sedation.  She had not eaten anything since the night before.  My cute neighbor, Marilyn watched Oakley for us and was prepared to keep her for several hours.

After getting to the hospital, which is literally just down the street from us, we were brought back to get ready for the scan.  The nurse and nurse practitioner both examined her and visited with her briefly.  The NP decided that she would like Dakota to try the scan without sedation.  Dakota seemed very calm and capable.  Normally, they sedate up to 8-year-olds for MRI's, and we were prepared for that, but they really wanted to try it without, depending on how involved the scan would be (area to be scanned and length of time needed to get good pictures) and whether the "movie goggles" would work with the contraption needed for her type of scan.

Ultimately, they decided on moving forward without sedation.  In Dakota went into the machine, with a few instructions from the technician, a warm blanket over her, and "Barbie in the Nutcracker Suite" playing in her goggles.  She thought that was pretty cool.

We waited in the recovery room for the procedure to be done...and about 30 minute later...she was done.  We got to go!  No waiting around for her to come out of sedation, now more stats being taken, medicine going in, etc.  She even got to pick snacks out of the fridge for the ride home (since she had been fasting).  We are so proud of Dakota.  Even though she is always brave and willing to get "poked in the hand" (IV for sedation fluids) and we didn't end up needing to do that, we are very impressed with how calm she remained through the entire visit.  The medical staff was quite amazed with how well she did, as well.  Yea, Dakota!

We will have to wait until next week during her visit with the specialists to get results (mostly news as to whether the tumor is growing or not).  Cross your fingers that it has not grown!!!