Functional MRI (FMRI)

Usually the point of any MRI is to be very still. Any movement will render the scan obsolete. This MRI was different.

My brain MRI's are usually about 40 minutes or so.  I had my first one right after the doctor told me I had a brain tumor 10 years ago, after a CT scan found the tumor. Now I've had too many to count. Probably 4 per year so I'm coming up on 40 or so. The last 15 minutes or so I usually receive an IV of Gadolinium. This allows for some additional information
to be captured by the MRI

I've been told that Gadolinium could cause cancer by a friend but since I already have a brain tumor I figure what's to lose.  Once it's pumped into my blood I get a "cooling sensation" throughout my body. It's hard to explain but I actually enjoy it.

After completing the questionnaire for today's MRI, that I have done 40 times with questions ranging from: have you ever worked as a machinist, do you have a pacemaker, are you pregnant - (I'll actually take a picture of one the next time I go). After I completed the form I was sent to the changing area. I know what you are thinking - my socks are upside down.Turns out they are identical on each side.

This time there would be no IV. This FMRI lasted about 90 minutes and the purpose is to identify speech and movement areas of my brain. Functional MRI works on something about iron and oxygen in your blood that allows them to study different areas of the brain. I trust it but couldn't explain it to anyone.

This will allow the surgeon to remove as much of the tumor as possible without (hopefully) impacting any of these areas. Looking at a screen that flashes, "move your right hand" for 5 seconds, then "relax". I went through this process for about 25 times for each hand, being shown an object and thinking of the name, being shown an object, listening to someone describe it and then thinking of the answer and finally moving my tongue. This was the most challenging MRI by far.

Even the slightest movement on my left hand while I was completing the test for my right hand threw the results off! I had to stay on the table and do the right hand again.

I've shared my normal brain scan before. This is my brain when I move my hands, move my tongue and listen to and think of names of objects. 

Crazy huh?