It is hell getting old, especially when you simply refuse to consider yourself as a person who is middle aged. Unfortunately, some recent events put me in a position where I finally had to admit to myself I am aging. I never realized how painful and debilitated my body could become.
It came on slowly, an ache in the back that didn't go away. I tried twisting and turning until my back popped, but it still hurt. I tried to give it some rest, but while it seemed okay for a while, whenever I began lifting things or stretching across tables the pain would return.
As the pain returned, I did what any man would do in my position, I grabbed a handful of Tylenol and Motrin and took them, careful to take some of each at least two hours apart. Surprisingly, the pain wasn't relieved, in fact, over the weekend it got much worse, with the pain now shooting down my leg. I knew I needed to see my doctor.
I hobbled into the doctor's office and after some pointed chiding about me losing some weight, getting more exercise and my too low good cholesterol levels, she sent me off for some X-rays. I spent the rest of the morning limping through registration and then to a painful X-ray session before returning to the doctor with a CD of the films.
Finally, after struggling back to my doctor I received a prescription for some pain pills and muscle relaxers. She then handed me paperwork for an MRI since she was concerned about the pain that shot down my leg and wanted a better look at the damage to my back.
I had to wait three days before I could get the MRI, but the medication had thoroughly kicked in and I was moving a lot better, with only a slight limp. After filling out some paperwork and a short wait, they called my name and I limped through the door. A male technician directed me to a small dressing room and after asking a few questions about if I had any metal inside my body, he directed me to completely undress and pull on two gowns, one for my back and one for my front.
After the technician closed the door, I undressed, put my clothes in a small locker and then pulled on the two, too-small gowns. I then propped the door open and waited. In a few minutes a female technician stopped by my door and asked, "Mr. Thomas?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Please follow me," she said, completely oblivious to the fact that I had been simply stunned by her beauty. Standing up I guessed that she was no more than twenty, maybe twenty two years old. I followed her, letting my eyes slowly twist down the curls in her brown hair, fall onto her shoulders and then gently curve down over her hips and then down her legs.
She led me into a room and asked, "Can I get you a larger gown? I think you will be a lot more comfortable."
"Oh, I didn't realize there was more than one size. The other tech told me to put on the two gowns."
"No, I'll get one that should work for you. Just have a seat there," she said, pointing and then slipping back out the door. She returned in just a moment and handed me a large gown and said, "You fasten it in front, I'll step outside while you change."
I removed the too-small gowns and slipped into the large one, which fit nicely and comfortably tied across the front. After waiting for a few minutes she returned and led me over to the MRI. While I waited for her to adjust the table she asked me again if I had any metal inside my body and then had me climb up on the table.
"Since this is your first MRI I will move you in feet first, it will feel a bit less confining," she said. "Please move your feet over here, and I need your hips here," she continued, helping me recline.
Once on my back I guess I moaned at the sharp pain because she quickly slipped something under my legs to support them. I was able to relax and whispered, "Thanks that's a lot better."
She had me slide downward some and then as I gazed up at her brown eyes, dark, long eyelashes and wonderful thin nose, she asked if I had any questions. I shook my head, "No" and she then began sliding me into the machine.
"You will hear a noise, but because this is an open MRI it will not be too loud."
"I heard you needed earplugs for the noise," I said.
