posted by Cybil.

So we just got home from my MRI.  Since I've never had one, I really had no idea what to expect, except that I would be put in a tube like I've seen on ER on several occasions.  On the way downtown, Brandon told me that it would take like 5 minutes.  Well, my normally right husband was wrong on this one.    After being taken back, I had to put on some scrubs......and let me tell you, I think I missed my calling......I looked pretty good in those scrubs if I must say so myself.    Then I was taken into the room with the giant magnet.  If you don't remove your jewelry, it will fly through the room to the magnet.......at least that's what I was told. 

The technician doing my MRI was very nice and explained everything to me......including "a lot of people think this is going to be a 5 minute thing, but depending on the test, it's anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.".  Before I got moved into the "tube," I thought "Why would someone feel claustrophobic in that?  It's not that small."  However, as a person that doesn't even get nervous in little spaces, I did sort of feel this rush of something.....almost felt confused and confined......but I closed my eyes and everything was fine.  It is much smaller than it looks.     I put on some earphones to block some of the noise of the machine and listened to music.......what I could hear between tests. 

If you have never had an MRI, you must lay perfectly still and the machine is basically taking hundreds of pictures in different phases ranging anywhere from 90 seconds to 5 minutes.  The machine makes all kinds of loud noises. 

Towards the end of my tests, he had to bring me back out of the machine and inject me with iron in order to get some different types of images........so that the doctor can see my blood vessels to make sure there are no brain aneurysms or clots.  After just a couple of more tests, I was finished.  The entire experience took a little over an hour. 

I won't know the results for a while yet.  My appointment with the neurologist is scheduled for July 25th.  I'll keep you updated.

posted by Cybil.

I went back to the gym today.  So far, I'm seeing a pattern that isn't looking good!  I've only been on Mondays!!  3 Mondays in a row!  I plan to break that tomorrow.  My ankle feels much better now .......and now we have Brandon's good FedEx  insurance so it won't matter if I pass out again or get hurt!    LOL!!  Just kidding........of course I don't want to have to use the insurance.

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We spent the 4th of July weekend in Kokomo.  We had a nice time with my family and my dad put on another great Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday.  He's already bought the ammo for next year so start making plans now to attend.  (tickets will be $5 in advance, $10 at the door......cash only......money can be sent to me)  This 4th of July was definitely the coolest temperatures that I can remember having.  It was a bit chilly, but perfect weather for a night of patriotic music and fireworks.  I hope everyone enjoyed the show.  Thanks Dad!

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Last Saturday, Brandon and I shot a wedding.  You can see some of the photos on our photo blog.

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PS........ to my brother and anyone else that is wondering........my surprise was a Connersvine benefit concert.

Spoken a little too soon I guess!  As you may or may not know, I had quite an experience yesterday.  The story goes like this......

So, I need to get in shape and lose the extra weight that I've been carrying around for the past several years.  My brother Seth is planning a destination wedding in a nice, tropical location in about a year from now, so I thought......"that's a nice goal.....a year.  I'll make that my goal to lose weight and get in shape.  I don't have to kill myself on a diet, but I can take it at a nice pace."  So, I decided that I needed to join the gym.  We have an elliptical here at the house, but I find that I get bored or something and I don't stay consistent with my workout.  I need a gym.....plus I want to do weights to tone and build some muscle too.  So, off to the gym I went.......

When you sign up at the gym, you get two sessions with a personal trainer.  Yesterday was my first day at the new gym, and my first session with the personal trainer.  I was looking forward to my new start and anxious to get to the gym.  On the way out the door, I jokingly told Brandon, "I hope he doesn't work me too hard!  I hope I can walk out of there when I'm done."  I seriously still don't know what went wrong.  My workout was hard, but nothing that I haven't done before.  In fact, I've actually worked out harder and had my heart rate up much more when I've been on the elliptical here at the house!  I started out with a nice 20 minute walk on the treadmill.  Nothing too strenuous.  Then, the trainer had me doing some exercises for my quads.......squats, lunges, etc.  I had some rest time between sets.  I would say this lasted no more than 10 to 15 minutes.  It was hard work on my legs, but nothing more than you should expect.  After that, he took my into the office to talk about buying "personal training sessions."  I told him that although it would be nice, and I probably really do need it, I just don't want to pay the extra money for it.  He understood and started scheduling me for my next session.......about that time, his voice started getting distant and I started seeing spots.  I told him that I didn't feel well and he told me to just sit there and rest until I felt better.  I remember a lady walking in to check out the gym and he started talking to her.  I said, "I think I'm going to pass out......" and the next thing I know, I'm waking up on the office floor.  If you've never passed out before.......especially in public......let me just tell you that it's a scary and embarrassing situation to be in.  As I was waking up, I immediately knew where I was, but it seemed like it took me forever to actually wake up and be able to move.  While I was out, the paramedics were called and arrived shortly after I woke up (they must've been having lunch next door.....because it didn't seem to take them long to get there).  I asked the people at the gym to call Brandon.  (He later told me that the guy was so calm on the phone, that at first, Brandon was mad and thought the guy was calling to try to sell him a membership!  LOL  )  One of the EMTs asked me what hospital I wanted to go to.  I told her that I didn't want to go to the hospital.  She then informed me that I had a seizure and so they had to take me to a hospital.  So, I had my first ride in an ambulance.......something that I don't really want to experience again.  Not only is it strange being wheeled around on a gurney, but I think I got motion sickness from laying in the back while we were driving to the hospital.  Besides, I felt a little silly being taken into the ER when I felt fine......just a little weak, and now nauseous from the ride! 

Brandon actually beat the ambulance to the ER.  His take on the events of the day were something like this........

Like I said, he received the phone call from the gym.  The guy said something to the effect of, "Brandon, this is so-and-so from Anytime Fitness.  Your wife, Cybil is here working out today.  (this is the point where Brandon thought it was a sales call)  We've had a bit of an accident.  She has passed out."  He said he grabbed his keys and headed out, but wasn't too concerned......and then he turned the corner and saw the fire truck and ambulance in the parking lot.  Then,  he stepped in the door and he was immediately asked, "what hospital do you want her taken to?"  He was caught a bit off guard.  After deciding on Methodist, he headed out in the car, but lost the ambulance immediately.  He was driving, making phone calls, and getting stuck in traffic.  He got to the ER and was asked why he was there.  He told them I was there and they searched the computer and had not record of me.  They asked him if he was sure this was the right ER and then told him that he probably beat the ambulance there.........and it happens more frequently than you would think.  They told him to have a seat.  He said it was a minute or so later when they told him that I had just arrived.

After a couple of hours of nurses, tests, and doctors, they didn't find anything wrong or abnormal.  They do want me to have a CT scan and see a neurologist since I had a seizure.  I've had them before..........not frequently......and more than 10 year ago.  The doctors didn't find anything then and I don't think they'll find anything now.  But I know they have to do it.

I'm feeling fine this morning.......just my quads are sore from my workout yesterday, but that's to be expected.  And my left ankle is a little sore......I think I must have twisted it or something when I fell.  Other than that, I'm fine.  I don't know if Armani has sensed that something was wrong, but she has barely left my side since I came home yesterday.  She sat on the back of the toilet and watched me shower (which she does from time to time, so that wasn't strange), then she slept in the bed with me for most of the night last night.......which is every rare for her to do.  I think she's done that one other time......like the first or second night that Brandon started working at Fed-Ex.  When I woke up this morning, she was on my bedroom floor watching me sleep.  She's not with me right now, but Raja is in here.......maybe they're taking turns watching me!  LOL